Blow Up the Box Chronicles

I weigh daily using a Shapa scale, which doesn’t give me a number, it gives me a color based on the average of my last 10 weigh-ins. Green is steady, blue means my average number is down, and light grey means the average is slightly up.

Last week I had a light grey day.

I also learned to hack the system by going to the Apple Health app and checking the actual number. It wasn’t the highest of the 10-day average, actually it was the lowest.

We are wired to live in the present. To consider the world around us at this moment. Living in the now is a great mindset. The past is past, tomorrow will take care of itself and all that.

But when you are on a journey, doing hard things and pushing yourself, merely living in the moment can mean the difference between success and failure.

• I gained weight. This plan isn’t working. I am eating a cheeseburger.

• That client ghosted me, I am no good at this, I am going to work the drive-through.

• I yelled at my kids today, I am a terrible parent, I give up.

To avoid this, we have to look at the bigger picture. yes, I went light grey, but it was the first time in a while and I am still much lighter than I was this time last year. Yes, that client ghosted me but I have many more who still rely on my daily and the bills are paid. Yes, I yelled at my kids today, but so far they are doing just fine and thriving.

Don’t let this one downturn tank the rest of your effort. Keep going!

Book Review: The Hospitality Mentality

This week I am reading a really great new book

"The Hospitality Mentality"
by Josh Liebman

Josh is a veteran expert in the attractions and hospitality industry, hosts a killer podcast with Matt Heller, and is now a celebrated (at least in my house) author.

As I am reading his new book, my first thought is
"He needs to write a series of these, starting with "The Hospitality Mentality for Lawyers." But THIS book is that! So - if you are a professional service provider (lawyer, doctor, drug dealer...) I highly recommend this book be read and applied to your practice.

Today's reading taught me that you must have equal parts of the service delivery - friendliness, efficiency, safety, and quality (my paraphrase) in balance. When one outweighs the other it creates an imbalance that will leave your guests with an unfulfilled experience, even if you did one of them great.

It really is all about balance!

Tomorrow is National Plan Your Vacation Day!

Yes - January 30 is national plan your vacation day - because why not?

Where do you want to go? How can the Hand Family help?