photo credit: John McNab

Mimi Alford is coming forward to tell the world about her alleged affair with John F. Kennedy. Why now? With all of the stories that we are bombarded with by the media, why does Mimi feel the need to tell us her account of an 18-month affair 50 years after it happened?

Extramarital affairs have an adverse affect on friends, employers, colleagues, family, social life, etc. Often it breaks up marriages, changes history and makes lots of money for the media. John Edwards and Rielle Hunter, Jesse James and Michelle McGee, Tiger Woods and Jaimee Grubbs, J.F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky–all provide us with the continual focus that men and women stray.

We are bombarded by stupid decisions that sink ships, companies and now Camelot? Can anyone help me to understand the relevance of telling this story 50 years after it might have occurred? Does this come under my suggestion that we all “Stop The Stupid Stuff?”

Why do we need to hear the details of how she lost her virginity? Her willingness to participate in ‘servicing’ our country’s leaders and celebrity friends. Don’t we have enough reality in our lives? Don’t we have a statue of limitations? Do we really need to know the details of this unproven affair with one of our most beloved Presidents?

Random House is the perfect publisher. Mimi’s acts were random enough that her recounts of the frequency, deception and lascivious behavior will make tabloids hunger for all the sordid details. Too bad cell phones with cameras were not available to record more of the details. No one is alive to defend ore rebuke her claim. So do we simply accept it or ignore it? And to me, why do we care? What is the benefit to society to evaluate these allegations?

For me, I don’t care that a 19 year old recounts something that happened 50 years ago. There is no way to separate the facts from the fiction. Too much attention, effort and distraction are being offered to Mimi for being what could be called poor decisions. She was seduced by charisma, power and good looks. Wow…that’s news!

What is to be gained by this regurgitation? I am not surprised that one of our heroes was flawed. We have heard these stories only to learn that almost all of our heroes are flawed. I am more upset that she will prosper from her “naive, innocent, and emotionally unprepared thrill…”

I want to remember the President that successfully handled the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs and the space race. And I can accept that.

I don’t want to remember JFK as the “Vice” President.

Costa Concordia Ship Sinking

It continues to amaze me that we live in a world where on the same day, a firefighter; Tom Panzica risked his life to save a dog that fell into the ice covered pond, then Captain Francesco Schettino, the Costa Concordia captain at the center of one of Italy’s worst maritime disasters, abandons his ship.

Actions are the real character of any leader. It does not matter what you say, it’s what you do. If you want to lead then you have to take action. You can’t think about it. You can’t talk about it. You have to do it.

Leaders communicate well. They don’t point fingers at others. They lead by example. Leaders are about action. Each of us has to make a decision that defines who we are and how we lead or follow.

These two examples permit us to value our own actions and either lead by example for others to follow or follow others. People generally love the hero and hate the coward. Schettino’s career is over. His name will become synonymous with being a chicken, a coward, etc. Panzica will become yesterday’s news but he knows what he did took courage and commitment. He saved an animal that was helpless. Schettino abandoned them.

Inspiration comes from perspiration. You can be a leader or a follower. No matter what choice you make others will evaluate your actions and determine whether to flee or follow.

Take a moment and reflect what you would do in those two situations. The dog, reportedly named Copper, was chasing geese when he ran out onto the pond, said the dog’s owner, then Panzica saved him. An unsung hero, perhaps, but maybe you will tell others while Francesco will never be able to face anyone without wondering if they know about his lack of leadership and courage. Each has a legacy. Each man made a choice. Each made SHIFT HAPPEN.

Just ask any mermaid you happen to see…who’s the Chicken of the Sea?

photo credit: Eustaquio Santimano

Most of us made some form of New Year’s Resolution. To save more, spend less, lose weight, spend more time with family and friends, lose all the excuses that prevent you from exercising, get out of debt, and so on. Resolutions are words. We all say we ‘should’ do this or that.

I like to make lists. Not just to make the list but it becomes a commitment to myself. To Do, To Be, Stop The Stupid Stuff, all mean that I try to keep it simple in terms of what I want to do. I have lots of choices where to keep all the lists: on my iPad, computer, iPhone, notebook, diary, etc. Like forming a habit I realized that I am tethered to my iPhone so that’s were I keep it. I have learned that to accomplish any resolution you must convert your words into results.

I have great intentions when I sign up for a webinar but somehow ‘shift happens’ and I don’t always find the time to complete the session. Guess what I found? Camtasia. It will record anything you have on your screen for playback or distribution.

Create resolutions that require action. Make resolutions that you can achieve. Small steps often result in big changes. Don’t disappoint yourself by saying I want to lose 50 pounds. Instead make a resolution to eat less sugar, carbs, etc. and to lose 5 pounds in 30 days. Then you can repeat what works. Then I found Fiverr. It offers services that are amazing. Logo design, assistance in copy writing, tweets, blogs, etc. all for $5. Look for suppliers ranked as TOP SELLERS.

And finally all of us need some cool or different gifts for our Valentine. While I have found a ten-pound bar of chocolate always gets attention, this year I will be making homemade chocolate candies. I am enjoying making them and it takes my mind off the ‘shift’ in the world

My commitment to you is that I will focus my blogs to help you shift…

1. The way you think
2. The way you do business
3. The way you deal with change
4. The way you treat your customers

Also, I’d like to provide you with lists of time saving, money saving, business or personal things that I think will make your life easier, more fun, and more productive. In 2012 it’s time for each of us to make our own Shift Happen!

1. Nift Gizmo Gadgets – Sources for hard to find items
2. The Green Head – Unique gifts
3. Kaboodle – Discounts on lifestyle merchandise
4. DVOR – Discounts on sporting items
5. The Fiver – Lots of services for $5
6. Camtasia records your display. Great for webinars
7. Free iPad Apps 
8. Top Free iPhone Apps
9. Free Android Apps
10. Free grocery coupons
11. Free conference calls
12. SlideShark – Convert PowerPoint to iPad

Take control of your life and start your own business.

How do you do that in a down economy? First, by creating and perfecting a business plan.

Today with all the regulations, local, state and government taxes, reports and compliances make the process much more difficult. The good news is that if you find a niche, your business may have a higher growth rate.

Your business does not have to be complicated or expensive to start-up. Walk pets. Bake cupcakes. Paint houses. Move furniture. Sell other peoples’ ‘stuff’ on eBay. Write e-books and publish them on Amazon. Teach a language. Find something that people may be able to obtain or do on their own but are willing to pay for it instead.

If you need help there are lots of resources on line including the American Associations for Small Business, SCORE, etc. Starbucks is partnering with the Opportunity Finance Network to empower individuals to promote entrepreneurship in our country.

5 Steps to making the banks help your business:

1. Create a business plan. Here are 500 free samples that can assist you.
2. Take your business plan bank to a bank and apply for $250,000 or more. This tells the bank you are serious. It requires their attention.
3. The bank will review, refine and most likely turn you down. That’s what banks do these days. They say no!
4. Don’t let a denial discourage you because you just got ‘free’ business advice from the bank! It’s worth a lot of time and money. Normally you would pay accountants, attorneys and other business advisers to evaluate your plan but you just got it for free.
5. The bank will end up telling you how to get the most of out of your business. They will pick apart your business plan and point out the weaknesses to you. This is when you take advantage, ask questions and find out what you need to do to refine your business plan. Now that’s the way to leverage your thinking.

Find a way to get back your entrepreneur spirit, discover a path and create a way for you to take control of your life. And smile. The bank is paying you a dividend. Bank on it.