Author: Kevin Spear

I am a content creator and storyteller based in Florida, where I work for OneHope. I love digital and content marketing, writing, and the occasional doodle.

Categories
Christmas holiday

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

On this morning’s run, I felt compelled to take a picture of brightly decorated palm trees. Yes, my friends, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even in Florida.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas with decorated palm trees

This morning, I also heard that Christmas albums are already hitting the charts in mid-November. This reminded me of a workplace debate we had on the first of November on when it was appropriate to start with Christmas music. It looks like the people have spoken, and that time is now.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Some years back, at the beginning of November, I heard Christmas music at a convenience store.

Cartoon of Scrooge and the ghost of Jacob Marley. Marley says, "You will be visited by three spirits: The Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas present, and Ghost of Christmas Mall Music."

Why the rush? We love the memories and good feelings associated with the season. Besides, it’s getting darker, and we need more lights to help us see our way through the darkness.

So roll out the holly! And crank up the holiday music, everyone. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… in mid-November!

Categories
Career motivation

What can I contribute?

group of people doing an environmental cleanup
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

When it comes to jobs, very few come to a workplace asking, “What can I contribute?” Alas, we are more likely to ask, “What’s in it for me?”

"To ask, 'What can I contribute?' is to look for the unused potential in the job." Peter Drucker

But Peter Drucker’s quote reminds me when we are inwardly focused, we miss out. What if we see a job as an opportunity to contribute something only we can give?

Some would call that servant leadership.

Cartoon of a dog and cat about servant leadership

Each of us is unique in our talents, experiences, and personalities. We have skills that no one else has. Perhaps that is exactly why we are in the position we are today for a very specific purpose.

Instead of asking, “What can I get out of this?” Perhaps the better question is, “What can I do today that adds value to my organization?”

Categories
motivation storytelling

This bird has flown

birds flying on the sky
Photo by Valeriia Miller on Pexels.com

Lamenting about a wild bird that has flown away does little good. No matter how you wish it would come back, it’s improbable the bird will fly back. Let’s face it: this bird has flown!

As I see it, the point of storytelling isn’t to lament about the “good old days.” Maybe they were good. Or maybe our selective memory forgets that the past had just as much pain and struggle as the present. After all, were the good old days really that good?

When we tell our stories, we hope others will learn from our mistakes and triumphs. Otherwise, we might sound like the boring old guy Bruce Sprintgsteen sings about in Glory Days. (Between this song and referencing Norwegian Wood, I’m in a bit of a classic rock mood today.)

A good story has both the good and the bad, its victories and failures. Because life is never as perfect, nor as hopeless as we believe.

Tell your story today. But don’t make it sound like a greatest hits album. After all, this bird has flown.

Categories
communication Just fun

What’s the Point of Laughter?

group of people having fun together under the sun
Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com

What is the point of laughter? What’s the point of breaking out into a belly laugh or laughing so hard you struggle to breathe? What is the point of it all?

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." E. E. Cummings

We feel better when we laugh, don’t we? And why is that the case? Well, if you want to get technical about it, there are plenty of articles touting the release of endorphins and immunity-boosting antibodies, and it even burns calories. And who knew laughter is packed with information?

But is it profitable? Well, that depends. Ask the comedian who has made a handsome living at getting others to laugh. Then again, many class clowns never found a pot of gold. Regardless of profit, I’ve found it’s important to have a sense of humor.

So what is the point of laughter? We could debate it forever. All I know is it makes us feel better and is much better than feeling scared or angry. A day without laughter is a wasted day indeed!

Categories
Business motivation

The Upwardly Immobile

gray trunk green leaf tree beside body of water
Photo by Daniel Watson on Pexels.com

At one time, Japan was considered the world economy to compete with. Today, while it is still a world leader, it has struggled. A quote from The Essential Drucker caused me to pause and consider it may be because of the upwardly immobile.

Peter Drucker quote on the upwardly immobile Japanese

When he wrote this, he realized Japan’s economy would have to change because lifetime employment made it nearly impossible for knowledge workers to move and adapt.

But it appears that hasn’t happened. Japan continues to struggle with deflation and stagnation. The failure to change has come at a great cost to the nation.

What made Japan a success for over fifty years has become a liability. When we cannot, or refuse to change, our past successes become a liability and burden.

Mobility is more than the freedom to move from Indiana to Florida or maybe even Arizona!

A farmer looks at a saguaro cactus with corn characteristics

It is the willingness to change and try different things. The upwardly immobile is an oxymoron. No matter our age, let’s continue to be part of the upwardly mobile.