Personal Recap of 2012

The year 2012 started with both kids (Darren and Kayla) in Paraguay, South America. They left the United States in early December 2011 with Darren planning a 3-month stay, and Kayla staying 6 months. According to plan, Darren returned home the end of February.

In late February, Victoria and I had the privilege of being interviewed for the documentary "I’m Fine, Thanks" in Wilmington OH. We attended the film premiere at the Murphy Theater in Wilmington in August. I have a limited number of copies of the DVD available. If you would like a free copy sent to you, just go HERE and fill in your info. I’ll leave the link live until I run out of copies.

The spring (late April) saw me transitioning back from a 2-year career broadening assignment in supply chain management to aircraft systems acquisition. I was assigned to the C-5M program office and have been getting acclimated there this year. With the reduction in travel funds this year, I only traveled 4 times; twice to Georgia, once to Delaware and once to Illinois.

Armchair Aviator / Foter / CC BY

Victoria traveled to Paraguay in May for a month long stay. She and Kayla returned home the last day of the month just in time for Kayla to turn 19 in June.

In early June Darren graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He went on to work for Wright-Patt Credit Union headquartered in Fairborn OH.

In August, our neurotic cat, Samoa, almost had a nervous breakdown when a bunch of roofers noisily installed a new roof on our house in eight hours. So much for the aromatherapy the vet had suggested to soothe fragile feline nerves! Also in August, Victoria and I celebrated our 24th year of marriage, and Darren turned 21.

The fall (September) saw Kayla move to Oxford, OH, where she began her studies at Miami University. She’s currently a junior majoring in International Studies with a minor in Political Science. Victoria also started on her Doctorate in Physical Therapy via correspondence with the University of Montana. Both ladies should complete their studies by the end of 2014. Darren was also able to move out in September. He now lives with 2 roommates in a rental house in Kettering OH.

Victoria and I (the new empty nesters) participated in The Luke Commission 5K here in Xenia on a rainy Saturday morning in October.

The day after Thanksgiving (Nov 23), I celebrated 30 years of government service and started thinking even more seriously about retirement and what comes after that.

Looking ahead to 2013…Victoria will continue her pursuit of her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Darren will continue his adventure of finding work he loves. Kayla will complete her junior year at Miami University. I will celebrate a BIG birthday and get more serious about planning my retirement from civil service.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very fulfilling New Year.

 

Are You Ready For Some Good Luck?

"If you're waiting on good fortune to smile on you, that first social security check might arrive at your door first."

Our lives are governed by the realities of "cause and effect" and "as we sow, we reap". Therefore, we cannot accept the concept of luck being the reason for someone’s success.

JD Hancock / Foter / CC BY

The equation for creating our own "good luck" is:

P + O = GL which stands for Preparation + Opportunity = Good Luck.

Notice it takes both preparation and opportunity to equal the "good luck" we are seeking.

Make a decision now that you won't leave your success up to hope, chance or luck. Understand that over the long run, the skilled person will beat out the unskilled person.

From now on, when you hear someone attribute luck to the success of another individual, you can reflect on how that person has matched their preparations with their opportunities to create their own “good luck” success story.

You can create a lot of "good luck" by simply preparing yourself and being aware of opportunities and then taking action on them.

Good Luck!

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Post inspired by the Ultimate Success Program (affiliate link)

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Is Being Competitive Really Good For You?

"If you have always believed that being a highly competitive person is a habit necessary for success, you are in for quite a surprise."

I must admit right up front that this lesson on being competitive versus being unique has been difficult for me to comprehend and implement in my own life. See what you think...

Being competitive places your life in the hands of others while personal initiative gives you the freedom to choose your own destiny. Being part of a herd, trying to keep up with the Joneses, being involved in one-upmanship are all ways we erode our personal initiative and allow others to set the goals and the pace for us.

Competition can be so insidious because over time it reduces personal initiative and personal responsibility.

Personal initiative is so important because it allows you to study, understand and solve problems.

Personal responsibility provides you the freedom to choose and create your own destiny, it gives you the opportunity to create your own life results.

The traits of personal initiative and responsibility accomplish what competition can never do, the ability to be unique.

Goldmund100 / Foter / CC BY-SA

Yes, you are unique...don't you dare compare yourself to others. Compete only against yourself, strive to do better than you have previously done.

Being unique really is your best competitive advantage. Do you agree or disagree?

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Post inspired by the Ultimate Success Program and Og Mandino's University of Success.

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