The Backup Plan September 2014

Appreciation

Everyone has their good days and their bad days, some of us handle those bad ones better then others, no matter what though it is important to appreciate and be grateful for all the days, good and bad.  Gratitude is something that I feel many people lack, we live in a world where the grass is always greener on the other side and nothing is ever good enough.  If your life is never good enough, or you are constantly trying to get more or do better, when are you actually ever enjoying life?  We must remember to appreciate what we have and be grateful for the little things.

So many of us walk through this life blind to all the miracles, our minds filled with concerns and issues that really don’t matter.  What is important is to focus on what is relevant and what makes us happy.  Be grateful for a sunny day or be grateful for your child’s smile, small everyday things that so many of us see but don’t really register.  We are conditioned at this point to struggle and to strive, and to want more, and in some ways this is fine as it helps us progress as a species and as individuals.  But quality of life should never be sacrificed for success; we must work to live not live to work.  Do your job well, in fact do it the best that you can, but love what you do and take the time to show appreciation for the little miracles in life.

Not everyday is going to be a good one, you might spill coffee on yourself in the morning or get a traffic ticket on the way to work but in the greater scheme of things it is important to understand what really matters.   Be grateful for the food we eat, the sun in the sky, the air we breathe, be appreciative of your manager and co-workers that you have a place of employment.  Be happy in the town you live in and the bed you sleep in, make it a point to smile often.  This life is a collection of moments, enjoy as many of them as you can, and remember it is about perspective the world you live in is the world you create, make sure you appreciate it!

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, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

How to Let Your Boss Know Your Doing a Good Job

Sometimes those at the very top have a hard time of keeping track of each individual’s specific accomplishments.  This is of course understandable as any successful executive or CEO will have several balls in the air at any one time.  It falls upon the employee to make their superiors aware of specific or monumental accomplishments.  This can be hard for many as we often see this as self-aggrandizing or arrogant, however it is vital that we bring our success to the attention of those above us.

Here are several tactics that will help bring the knowledge of your success to the right ears while not making you sound like a blow hard.  When speaking of accomplishments use we instead of I, talk about yourself as part of the team.  “We nailed that presentation” or ”The team got that new account.”  This portrays you as humble but also as part of an achievement or success, it shows you helped but are willing to share the credit.  Use self-deprecating humor when appropriate, “I almost sweat thru my suit during the pitch, good thing they still signed I guess they didn’t notice.”  Things like that show someone who is accomplished but still has a sense of humor.  Thank the superiors who gave you the chance or opportunity to complete the task or project.  Think of it as just daily reporting as opposed to bragging about your success, something like keeping your employer informed of the daily goings on of their business.

Never be shy about what you have achieved or accomplished.  You are not arrogant or self-aggrandizing, you are informative and appreciative and giving credit where credit is due.  Make sure that those above you are aware of your successes, because if you don’t tell them who will?

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, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

Responsibility

Responsibility is a difficult concept to define, Webster defines it as “The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.” however I believe it is something more then that.  Responsibility implies owner ship, it implies maturity and an acceptance, it also indicates ability and character.  It is so easy today to blame others for faults and failures, great people own their mistakes as well as their achievements.

Imagine there are two managers both equal in skill, ability and authority.  An important client is lost and both departments are equally responsible.  One manager tells the owner of the company we did everything we could, we made every accommodation, but my team was just not good enough, he blames it on his subordinates.  The other manager tells the boss look we tried and did all we could but the methods we used just did not work, I take the responsibility its my department and I chose our tactics and our direction, next time we will do it differently.  What sounds better to you?  From a business owners sand perspective which person do you think is more beneficial to the company?

Picture another scenario you are a customer and the service you ordered was not what you expected, in fact it fell well short of your expectations.  Your limousine was late, it was unclean and the diver was less then pleasant.   You call the company and make your dissatisfaction known.  The individual on the other end says we are sorry for the inconvenience but the lateness and state of the vehicle and driver are not our fault, the car was late coming off a previous job, there was nothing we could do.  Now rewind a bit back to the phone call and this time the gentlemen on the end of the line apologizes profusely and explains to you the situation, they admit that the vehicles were booked too tight and he offers you some form of compensation.  Even without the compensation what is the better response?

Both of these imaginary scenarios are examples of people excepting responsibility and not excepting responsibility.  Nothing in this world is perfect and things do go wrong from time to time.  When a problem arises it is best to address it honestly and thoroughly, take responsibility for your faults just like you would take responsibility for your successes.

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, 2014 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!