The Backup Plan March 2014

The Secret of Happiness

A presumptuous and bold title to be sure but I assure you there is a formula to attaining that coveted state of being.  Being happy means many different things to people but scientifically we are finally starting to explore what exactly makes people happy.  For years we as psychologists and psychiatrists have studied the more negative side of emotion; depression, anxiety, anger, now for the first time we are starting to discover what lies at the root of bliss.

To begin we will approach from the spiritual perspective.  Many books, gurus and motivational speakers have advocated several different things that in the end really are all one in the same; be positive.  Act as if, we have more control over our physical reality then most of us realize, approach life from a positive perspective and the results will shock you.  If you meander though life with a sour look on your face always expecting the worst, guess what reality won’t disappoint you, your going to get exactly what you’re projecting.  We do have the power to physically manifest the world around us; the self-fulfilling prophecy is a reality. 

We must let go of what does not really matter and focus on what is really important.  The acquisition of physical things and the accumulation of wealth for its own sake is not what life is supposed to be all about.  Please make no mistake I recognize the value and necessity of money because that is the world that we live in but money should, at best, be only a means to an end certainly not the end in and of itself.  Society teaches us from a very young age that this method of thinking is wrong and that we all must achieve, but what we should really be taught is that we should strive to be the best versions of ourselves, like the marines say “Be all that you can be”.  The measure of which should not be who has more stuff or who makes more money (it should probably be who is the happiest).

If these words hold any truth for you then here are some tips that may allow you to begin your journey towards a happier, fuller life.  Leave your regrets behind, there is no sense dwelling on the past any more then is necessary, learn from your mistakes and then move forward.   Do not concern yourself overly with the future, make plans, but do not dwell on what will be, live in the present moment because that is all their ever really is.   Stop judging, we are all individuals and are all special in our own way, no one is better then anyone else, we as individuals are unique.   Do not blame, criticize, or complain things are what they are and life will go on, these things are nothing more then a waste of time.  Finally let go of your anger and your fear, these emotions are wasteful and negative, they waste your time and fill the world around you with bad energy.  Be wary of danger and do not act in foolish ways but let go of psychological fear.  Rage is a refusal to accept a situation the way it is remember reality is what we allow it to be and life is too short to be angry all the time.

Happiness is attainable for all of us.  Ultimately it comes down to perspective and the power of our minds.  Believe in who you are and what you are doing, accept the situations you find yourself in and be positive even in the darkest of times.  Judgment, anger, fear and worry are all wastes of time, do not act thoughtlessly but do not entertain these negative feelings overtly they will only serve to diminish and distract.  Your reality will be what you want it to be as long as you maintain that positive point of view and understand what really matters.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

The Best Limousine Company on Long Island Vs. The Best Executive Car Service in New York

What does it take to be the best ground logistics or luxury transportation company?  What goes into the proper execution of an executive car service or a luxury limousine company?   A very common misconception is that the limousine industry is a simple one; after all it’s just a matter of driving right?  How difficult can it be to pick someone up on time, or to help them with their bags and hold a door, especially now a days with GPS, flight tracking and a plethora of technology designed to make transportation and communication simple and efficient?  Well we would like to try and shed a little light on the behind the scenes of an executive car service or limousine company.

First of all we are going to speak specifically about a new york or long island based executive car service or limousine service.  The importance of this distinction is that New York and Long Island have a very high population density, which means traffic.  If you do not live in a heavily populated area you cannot even begin to understand what traffic can be like on Long Island or in NYC.  Traffic is a huge variable, it can throw off the timing of dispatched transfers by an unimaginable amount, it takes precision timing and geographic knowledge in combination with the latest technologies to correctly dispatch rides in a city like New York.

Traffic is only the beginning; the other two major influences in the proper execution of a great limousine service are mechanical failure and human error.  Mechanical failure may seem obvious, but to fully understand imagine your car driving all day long seven days a week and being driven by different people in all types of weather conditions and on all types of surfaces.  These vehicles are well used, especially if they are operated by a successful executive car service (that means they are going out often).  The company must have their own mechanic facility and employ its own mechanics; preventative maintenance must be performed weekly if not daily.  Beyond that the cars must be turned over as quickly as possible, you can only run a vehicle for, at most, two years before it needs to be replaced.   Human error also plays a roll and that can start as early as when the reservation is taken, it can be the fault of the client the reservationist or a combination of the two.  To avoid confusion confirmations must be made and respected, calls must be recorded and monitored, or else the law of averages dictates that eventually there will be a problem.

This is only the smallest glimpse into the inner machinations of a great New York or Long Island based Executive car service or Limousine Company.   In this industry the margin for error is large and people expect what they pay for.  It takes a lot to ensure perfect service, it takes a lot to accommodate a corporate client flawlessly or exceed the expectations of a nervous bride.  But that is what it takes to be the best limousine service or executive car service in New York or on Long Island, that is what All Star Limousine does every day.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

It’s Prom Time Again!

The weathers getting warmer, the snows finally melting, businesses are picking up and just around the corner its prom time again!  In the limousine industry we see a large increase in work and transfers along with the warm weather, this is due to three events; weddings, vineyards and proms.  Although first and foremost All Star Limousine is an executive car service we still do lots and lots of weddings and when the season comes around we take care of the graduates too.  Limousines for prom are not like any other event however as a certain amount of care and attention go into these transfers.

A quick word to the parents; get involved.  I cannot stress how important it is to involve an adult or guardian when it comes to booking transportation for your prom.  Limousines can be expensive, especially if you need a larger vehicle and you need it for a long time, which is most often the case with proms.  A parent needs to explain the stipulations and guidelines to their children and their friends this way the severity and seriousness of these things is reinforced by a recognized authority figure.  A parent should also be involved so there is someone responsible dealing with the money.  Its not that your children aren’t capable its just that they made not be used to dealing with an arrangement such as this where large sums of money and contracts are involved.

Our priority is the safety of your children and second to that is making sure they have a good time.  We cannot condone any kind of substance abuse during these trips, it is much more of a liability for All Star Limousine then it is to the kids involved.  Our name and reputation, along with our insurance and the driver’s license, are all at risk in regards to making any kind of exception to the aforementioned rules. 

Ultimately this is a great time of year, the snow is melting, people are celebrating momentous events and businesses are making money.  Prom for many in their young lives is a huge occasion and at All Star we completely understand.  We guarantee the kids will have an incredible time and they will be safe in our vehicles and with our chauffeurs.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

Dynamic Vs. Specific

Many positions demand versatility from their occupants, while some demand a very specific and exact knowledge or focus.  Where is the line between the two?  Is it best to develop multiple skill sets or to attempt to perfect one?  There are advocates for both sides.  Some say that having many talents or abilities will make that individual more marketable.  On the other side, more and more employers are looking for people that are the best at what they do, and applicants that have a wide range of skills tend to come off as a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none.

Recent studies have reported that being very good at a specific skill set is what is most likely to get you hired.  Applicant’s whose resumes boast a wide variety of positions or experiences come across as unfocused or flaky.  These resumes also tend to confuse interviewers.  Understandably so because when interviewing for a particular position you are looking for an exact set of abilities, when scanning a stack of resumes your not looking for someone who can do ten different things your looking for someone who can do the one thing your looking better then anyone else.

The flip side is that yes being very good at one specific thing is more likely to get you hired but once hired having additional skill sets will make you more of an asset to the company.  This will in-directly grant you additional job security.  Overall it will help the company more in the long run.  The logic behind this is that eventually you will need to step outside your comfort zone and do something that you either have never done before or have very little experience doing.  The better you are at handling that unexpected task, the less likely you are to fail at it or drop the ball, potentially costing the company time and money.  Additionally stepping outside ones comfort zone and thinking out side the box is one of the biggest contributors to the growth of a company.

In conclusion there are arguments for both sides.  It seems that being very good at one specific thing will help you to get hired but having a broad range of abilities will make you more of an asset to the company in the long run.   I think that being very good at one roll but having experience doing a multitude of things will probably make for the best candidate for employment.  Just be sure to tailor your resume according to the job being applied for and once you get that job do your best and work hard!

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick