I was in my teens when the mantra was “don’t trust anyone over 30”. Y2K was going to crash the internet but it didn’t. Singing about “when I’m 64” was hilarious until it was comforting. All those wise sages who said pay into retirement in your 20’s were actually right. I guess I am officially old. But, I don’t feel “old” How old is old? >
In life, we make assumptions all the time. I’m feeling good today, so I assume I will feel good tomorrow. If I put away money each month, I will have enough to pay for repairs for a car breaking down. Forecasting on a larger scale works the same way. If 10,000 people a day retire in the US because they turn 65, that same percentage will retire 10 years from now when people turn 65. >
If you ever watched Family Feud, you are familiar with the phrase “survey says?”. Contestants guessed the most popular answers to surveys taken of a relevant group and won prizes for the most accurate answers. Vistage surveys its Members with less than $20mm in annual sales and you can find the August report here. >
The rains have started as Hurricane Hilary moves on shore into California. The path has shifted east so Los Angeles will not be in the center. When we left Mammoth yesterday to make sure we prepared in LA, we didn’t think Mammoth would be directly in the path. Now it is. Mammoth had 70 feet of snow last season, so is a lot more prepared for big weather of this type. Preparing for change in business is a lot like preparing for this hurricane. You know it will hit, but you don’t know exactly where. >
For most of the US, taxes were due last week. For most counties in California, all returns AND tax payments have been delayed until October. Yay for us, not so good for the tax preparers come September. So let’s give Finance some love now. >
We spent a lovely sunset cruising the Newport Harbor celebrating the 80th birthday of our dear friend and fellow Vistage Chair – Rick Leckey. I was shocked to learn that Rick was 80 and when he joked he was really turning 60, I had to agree he looked that youthful. Going strong with no plans to retire. Vistage Chairs are like that. Purpose shines an internal light and keeps the outer shell (the body) a little healthier.
Many guests spoke with thanks about who Rick is as a friend, a mentor and a wise Chair. Several thanked him for guiding them along a wiser path than they were choosing for themselves.It was lovely.
On the drive home, a familiar song came on from The Temptations. Perhaps you recognize the lyrics
Papa was a rolling stoneWherever he laid his hat was his homeAnd when he died, all he left us was alone
Which legacy would you choose? If you don’t think you can change your legacy from today forward, permit me to share what my brother Joe said at our mother, Marilyn Paller’s, funeral. As background, Mom died at 87 after many years of struggling with diabetes and then kidney failure. My brother had a strained relationship with her for most of his life and I was surprised to hear him say how much he admired Mom in his eulogy. He said that most people get meaner as they age when struggling with health issues, limitations and the end of life. Marilyn became a nicer person, less judgmental, who did not complain about her life. Instead she made you welcome and wanted to hear about your life. He hoped to be more like that as he continued to age.
Who do you want to leave with good memories? What is one thing you could do this week to make your legacy an even better one?
If you are not a subscriber to BIZPIE blog, you can subscribe here. If you want to learn more about Vistage, click here.
Photo of Rick Leckey and Beth Adkisson, Newport Beach, CA.
From the time we are born, we are instructed in who we should be to be accepted. We learn not to cry for no reason, how to walk, where and when to eat and pee. Once we learn to talk, we are told when we can talk, when not to talk. As grown ups, we show the world that part of ourselves that is acceptable per our training. All of this leads into a fear of being seen for who we truly are. >
Skiing down a wide intermediate run at June Mountain. our friend Denis was topping 46 mph on a beautiful bluebird day. I didn’t try to keep up but was not far behind. Non-skiers would ask if that was safe, and if we were wearing helmets. Yes and yes. It is all about managing your speed. >
In Vistage we have an exercise called be-do-have where in a particular situation you evaluate
In relation to your goals for 2023, what is your be-do-have strategy? >
What an interesting week! Twitter falling apart, tech companies laying off, inflation stabilizing but high, stock market going up, mid-term elections going calmly – so much happening. Add to that the continuing Russian defeats, meeting of global leaders over climate change and Xi and Biden about to meet in Indonesia, Hard to know the best way of managing amidst the uncertainty. >