I’ve always believed that if I wanted to get something done, it would have to be on my “to do” list.

This is Victoria Day long weekend in Canada. Only self-employed types and restaurant servers will be working on Monday. Which brings me to the point of this post.

What do you have on your to-do list this weekend?

I’m planning to get some barbecueing done; enjoy Toronto with my wife and son; maybe stop off at the Ontario Science Center (we have a family pass till July); do a little spring cleaning and do some business building.

Business building? Why? Because it’s all about time. A good friend of mine does not get to enjoy long weekends like the rest of us normal people do. Why not? Because many years ago he worked during long weekends. Now he has a successful business and is enjoying the fruits of his labour. His business provides him with the income he needs to enjoy a very nice lifestyle without him needing to work more than a few hours per week. So, he always has long weekends.

So this weekend, I’ll be doing some business. Oh, I’ll also enjoy the weather and friends and family.

What are you doing this long weekend?

Why do we do what we do?

Have we ever asked ourselves this question?

How would you define what it is that you do? If someone were to ask you that question, what would your answer be? Would it be related to what you do for money (ie your career, job, business)? Or would the answer be related to something you are passionate about (ie dog lover, mother)

Curious question.

Here are two answers I received yesterday to the question “Why do you do what you do?”:

@J_Lab from Twitter said: I do what I do because it seems to be the path of least resistance.

Anonymous said: “sadly, to pay off debts, pad the resume, and cause my wife won’t let me max out cards to start my own thing – ask again in 2010.”

I’m not here to judge any of these comments. I can actually relate to both of them.

So, I’ll ask all of you:

No other sport has one. Not even students have it. Corporate Canada can’t imagine ever having it either.

Opening Day.

Not even Canada’s beloved game of hockey has an Opening Day. They do have the first game of the season. Just not an Opening Day.

There’s the first day of school. But even going back to school doesn’t have offer hope. Going back to school is like going back to work on a Monday: You can feel your stomach getting tied in knots on Sunday evening.

Today is Opening Day in Toronto. Blue Jays versus the Tigers.

It may be snowing outside here in the big city but the Boys of Summer are back at their trade tonight.

Why does baseball, still an innocent sport despite what MLB has done to itself, still evoke hope and passion? Why does baseball transcend boundaries and unite historians and 3 year olds?

Is it because everything that happens between the two white lines, stays between the two white lines? Or is it because there’s no time limit to the game? Or maybe because, in baseball, the players play until there’s a winner?

Whatever it is, my heart is a little warmer today. Even though it’s colder outside and the snow continues to fall.

Let’s play ball!

Today I bring to you the quirky and insightful musings from Mehnaz. I hope you enjoy!

Karim

Current Mood: contemplative

Current Song: Thinkin’ About You by Norah Jones

Loving the Small Things. A Guest Post by Mehnaz at Strawberry Ghetto

I’m not a romantic. Flowers make my eyes water and too much candy doesn’t do much good for someone who has a metabolism akin to molasses in winter. I’m too old and too allergic for stuffed animals and I don’t like the spotlight anywhere near myself (except when singing). I never liked Valentine’s Day in all its Hallmarked glory. It makes February even more depressing. And quite frankly, the economy is doing nobody any favours at the moment. This February however, I’ve forced myself to write about Love. Perhaps it will push me out my curmudgeonly February state of being. Or perhaps I need the reminder.

Last night I was reading, and I heard the sound of rain outside. I love rain, whether drizzle or torrential (I’ve conceded to being a Vancouverite…. What can I say?). Rain makes me grateful for everything. It helps to clear away things like the last remnants of a terrible snowstorm. It lets you start new. It lets everything sigh in relief. I’m always grateful for rain, and so I love it.

Today it’s sunny. Periodically. It is Vancouver after all. The air has cleared up and I’m seeing the first signs of spring. Everything is turning lovely shades of green. I went for a walk today and reveled in the crisp February air. I still need my red gloves, but it’s all worth it.

When we’re inundated with stuffed bears, cinnamon candy and the overwhelming urge to buy diamond-encrusted heart pendants (another gift that gives me a headache in my teeth from cringing), it’s easy to forget that everyday we’re surrounded by people, things and ideas we love. From a friend who recommends a song you might like, to a spouse who buys that specific kind of cereal you love, it’s everywhere. Nuts to the stuffed bears.

Whether you’re an old realist like I am or you’re someone who believes life is a box of puppies, it’s nice to remember we all love something or someone that makes each day that much more bearable. Why once a year? Love what you have everyday: Fresh laundry, a sturdy umbrella, a savings account, hair. Whatever makes you happy.

I’m not going to say something like ‘Everyday should be Valentine’s day.’ Nobody wants to hear that. I couldn’t live with that. But it should be like any other day really, where the little things matter the most.

Happy Everyday!

While most of the world has been writing about 25, I’m gonna tell you about 21. The 21 Indispensable Qualities of A Leader, that is.

The subtitle of this little book is “Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow.”

This is a great little book and the third book of my 24 this year. By the way, I think I’ll have the opportunity to read more than 24. The reason I bring up the sub title is this:

In today’s wild and (un)predictable world everyone is looking to make themselves a little bit better and more valuable. Our clients, customers and boss(es) are, in fact, demanding it. And this is where John Maxwell‘s classic comes in. If you haven’t heard of Maxwell, many consider him to be THE Leadership Expert in North America.

So what can you learn from this book? It depends on what stage of leadership you find yourself. However, I will tell you a couple of things. First, you don’t have to be at the top to lead. Leaders can be found in all places of an organization: Top, middle and bottom.

Second, the way the book is organized will allow you to think, reflect and act on the 21 different qualities that Maxwell highlights.

If you’re looking at a simple yet powerful read to help you become valuable this is a book you’ll want to add to your personal library.

Lots has been said about wait times in Ontario hospital emergency rooms. The debate has raged between, “way too long” and “way too long.” Not much to brag about to your friends out West.

Until now. Here’s our story:

On Wednesday my wife “sprained” her ankle on her way out the door. (Yes, going to work is hazardous to our health!) After calling Tele-Health soon after she took some painkillers and iced her ankle. By dinner, she was walking around. Around 11pm she was screaming in pain. After more painkillers and ice we got a hold of Tele-Health who advised us to head to the hospital for X-Rays. So we packed books and food and drinks and headed towards North York General.

We left home and were back home in less than an hour! Yes, you read that correctly. Less than an hour, door-to-door. Amazing! From parking, to registering to triage, to waiting, to x-rays, to diagnosis. No break. Just a tensor bandage. We declined the crutches that were offered.

And it doesn’t end here. The X-Rays were forwarded and a “tiny tear” was found so we got a phone call the next day. doctor said nothing serious but let’s take a look to see what we should do. Appointment booked for Tuesday.

No pain, no swelling.

Many people like to bash our “social medical system”. Call it social or call it public. I call it a medical system that works. And I’m thankful for that.

What is your Canadian hospital success story?

Hey!

I found this article via Twitter.

I also use Google Reader to follow blogs that interest me. I’ll read and tag the one’s that are interesting. This saves me time and money as I don’t need to buy the newspaper or read the whole paper to find something interesting. Also allows me to read and follow stories from around the world.

Anyone not worth following on Twitter/FB/LinkedIn I just “delete/Stop following/DeFriend” them.
About Small Business
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

No matter what we think business is taking “green” mainstream.

Two articles recently came across my Google Reader. The first was Motorola’s entry into the green revolution. Second was news that research firm Environics had just opened up a “Sustainability and Clean Energy” practice to provide PR support to clients looking to market environmentally friendly practices and services.

These are positive things in and of itself. However, there will be people who say that it’s all just a marketing ploy to generate business during this economic storm.

Here’s the rub: It’s good that “green” is good for business. Changing the consumer mindset of North America (and the rest of the Western world) should not be the point. We should be encouraging innovation and “green” enterprise. And applauding it. Consumers will continue to demand products and services that respond to their desire for eco-responsibility. Companies that respond to these needs will succeed and thrive in the coming months and decade.

What’s your opinion and thoughts? I’d love to hear about them.

I don’t know how popular this story was in Toronto this weekend – I tend to be unplugged during weekends. However, I thought it would be important for me to inform you of the story.

The year was 1958 and the University of Buffalo Bulls had just been invited to play in the Tangerine Bowl in Florida. With one exception: The Bulls’ two black players were banned from playing because of a segregation clause in the host team’s school district rules.

The Bulls players decided not to play. (50 years later the Bulls returned to Bowl participation and played UCONN this past weekend in Toronto for the International Bowl.)

My question to you is this – Throughout this year, will you make decisions that are right (and maybe against popular opinion) or will you just shut your mouth and be a follower? It sounds easy.

I pray that I have the strength to do what’s right.