Fellow Rippler Paula Levy Proves You Can!!!

I just had to share this inspirational story and link to a video about fellow Rippler Paula Levy. I asked Paula to tell you why running her first marathon should prove to you and to me that no matter what the obstacles are, if you want something bad enough you can find a way.

Way to go Paula!!!
__________________________________

I was diagnosed with MS in 1990 when I was 26 years old. I had a choice to fight or give up – I was to young to do anything but fight. But I had another choice, I could choose joy or I could choose to be a bitter old hag, long before I had the right to be a bitter old hag. Woe is me it is not fair blah, blah, blah. I truly believe that your altitude is determined by your attitude and I choose every day my attitude.

I take a multitude of medications and I give myself an intramuscular injection once a week with an inch and a half needle but all of this allows me to work hard and to play hard. I have MS it doesn’t have me and I refused to let it define me. I have a “list of things to do before I die” and running a marathon is on the list. I began training in October 2006 for the Austin Marathon in 2008. While I didn’t cross the finish line that day, I tried something that I had never done before and I gave it everything I had. I ran the best possible race that I could run on that day and that is all I can expect.

You only get one shot at life and I can promise you that you will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! I took a shot and came up short, this time, but I am far from out of the game.

Ripplin’ so long I am riding waves,

Paula

Click Here To Watch The Video Story on Paula

Check YOUR Common Sense For Understanding

I'm back. Sorry I have been lax in posting this week but I have a very good excuse. I just completed another three day customer service training for state and county tax officials. I had a wonderful group of young women who, believe it or not, survived my often crazy way of delivering an incredible amount of information in a short period of time. It was a very fun class and I always feel refreshed and energized when I can deliver information that I know can help an organization or a company do better.

During my three day agenda I repeat one theme that might be relevant for any manger or leader of people to remember.

Your common sense is not necessarily the common sense of others.

Perhaps rather than assuming what you already know to be true and obvious, you should test how others understand and interpret things.

I use a ton of basic examples when illustrating this point. Some include:

Do your employees know that they shouldn't cuss in front of a customer?

Do your employees know that they shouldn't pop a bubble with their gum during a conversation with a customer?

Do your employees know what wearing shoes really means when you state it in the company dress code? You know flip-flops don't constitute a "shoe" and aren't acceptable footwear in the office environment but do your employees know this unless you tell them?

My customer service course often reveals for those who attend how many common sense things we as leaders, managers and customer facing employees often take for granted and just naturally expect our staff or co-workers to know and follow. Leave even the littlest things open to interpretation and I can guarantee you there will be interpretations different from those you have and expect.

And here's the kicker folks....those interpretations may just be costing your company business.

Ripple On!!!