Holding Pattern

When we moved to Houston, we chose cable for our television service. Just short of eight years later we switched to satellite… and frequently endured the dreaded ‘lost signal’ disruption during torrential downpours.

Over the next nine years, our monthly bill continually drifted upward… topping $135 recently – without any premium channels. (Yes, I called regularly to request decreases, and the “$5 off for six months” offers didn’t meet my expectations.)

After a lot of research and a trip to Best Buy to ask questions, I decided to cut the cord and cut the cost. Then I realized that transition would be a big time commitment during one of my busiest seasons, so we switched back to cable to save $50 every month.

Today, George from AT&T arrived promptly at 9 a.m. for the installation, which was ‘expected to take 2-4 hours.’ He left at 7 p.m. – accompanied by a senior service rep, Theo, who joined him midway through the arduous process. They ultimately determined our 18-year-old wiring didn’t provide the necessary signal strength and replaced it.

George never took a break during the 10-hour ordeal… although I did make him a ham and turkey sandwich that he munched on between multiple trips up and down our staircase, into the attic and out to the wiring box. He also never complained nor appeared frustrated, and when he shook my hand to leave said: “This has been a great learning experience for me.”

Attitude is an essential piece of success – in sports, in work, in health. Something tells me George is going to excel in life.

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Mature Mindset

The Olympic Swimming Trials are in full swing this week, and since the nephew of a good friend of ours is one of the world’s best breaststrokers, we’ve been watching. (Of course, Michael Phelps is competing, too, so that adds to the fun.)

Last night as we watched the final lap of a women’s freestyle race in which I didn’t even know the swimmers – with the favorite clinging to a slim lead – I said: “She better watch out or Lane 5 is going to pass her.” My daughter responded: “Dad, you’re always so negative about sports.” Then my son said: “Yes, he is, and doesn’t that get old?”

Wow! Talk about a learning moment. I take a lot of pride in having a positive attitude – and it definitely shows up in our marriage, good health and business success. Yet, when it comes to sports, I am definitely a pessimist. That’s probably from a lifetime of experiencing the agonies of defeat sprinkled far too infrequently with some thrills of victory. (See Texas Longhorns football failing to win their last game of a season four times when it would have meant national championships.)

So this morning I made a vow. No more allowing sports to give me highs and lows. If my team or athlete wins, super. If they lose, so what? That has to be a much better way to enjoy life.

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