I'm emotional, I just am. My kids are the greatest, they just are. Music is better when delivered live or interpreted through dance, it just is. I love my job, I DON'T just do. I don't just love my job, I have had to work really hard to find my OPUS. For as long as I've been working, I've never loved my job more AND never worked harder, funny huh? Playing professional soccer was the closest thing to it but even that wasn't as great because now I've truly authored my work.
A couple of months ago I was presented with the opportunity to lead development of a test pilot program bringing digital technologies into a New Balance store. As I sat down and began dreaming, I remembered how frustrating it has been with the brick and click program to continue answering the same questions of "what is this about... what are we doing... why are we doing this" and since this was on the heels of delivering our company OPUS, I decided to write one for this project. The ACT of doing this brought all of my emotional passions into a living document to guide the way. It wasn't, hasn't and isn't going to be easy, but it has been clear on what this is all about.
Well today was the first time we showed it to anyone outside of the core team working on it and to hear it presented, see the dream coming to life and to get the response from others believing in it too, has brought a sense of true purpose I could have only dreamed of. The true purpose is that I, David John Deck, emotional father to the world's three greatest kids and lover of live music and dance, has a big dream. I authored and shared that dream, I grew the dream with the help of others and am living that dream. This didn't "just happen", it isn't "just" anything... it's my purpose.
The reason I'm writing this tonight is to remind myself of a couple of things. Loving your job doesn't just happen, if it does you're luckier than me. Loving your job takes real, hard work AND great leadership. In my life... Joe believes it's important to invest in my development via BTL, Chet models the way to live your big dream, and Rob D. heard me, the organ player in the weeds, and turned him up.
God help me REALLY get this, God REALLY help me give this.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
There's always more...
Today I learned a couple of things I don’t want to forget. Life has a funny way of convincing you that there will come a day when you “get it” or “get there” but if that were true then what’s the point in learning MORE or living another dream?
I have been writing like a banshee for a while now… it started with a work OPUS, then a personal one, then a S.CORE. I am getting close to hanging these up outside my office, behind my door and on the garage at home because by “finishing” them for some reason I kind of believed they were done. When actually, I think they are just beginning if I’m living out my overarching vision of being growth minded. You see I was stonewalling a fellow builder who just didn’t believe in a business strategy Kevin and I wrote because, well, I didn’t open my mind. I got it, I thought everyone else got it, and one person “not getting it” must just be an anomaly. However, I was gently reminded that I still have work to do in living my life with an open mind… and for that I’m humbled and thankful.
Secondly, I’ve been beyond blessed by the BTL proven methodology and more specifically Chestnut. What has really been interesting is to see him in different “lights” / rolls and then realize how much MORE there really is. When I first met Chet, he was “Tony Robbin’s” to me. A motivational speaker with a way with words. He would say things like, “I’m exhausted” after a practice and I thought he was full of dung. As Chet continued to share his voice, I began to hear it MORE clearly. I could actually see how he really said what he meant, meant what he said AND lived what he said. This authenticity, realness, commitment and belief are the real deal and that is rare – it just is.
It wasn’t until I met up with him and his daughter to pick up t-shirts and coffee mugs for last practice where this “MORE” became so much MORE. He was Chet AND a Dad. Both rolls gave me MORE insight into the other. Seeing him with his daughter showed me that he is just like any other working dad lucky enough to be on the road together, one heading to school – the other to work: they laughed, they teased, they spoke the same family dialect. He instantly became MORE than Chet the facilitator.
Then that encounter was quickly followed up by being able to see Chet “work” with the next group of BTL stallions in the Shop NB world. Because I had been through this before I was listening, watching, learning in a whole new way and consequently I saw MORE. During the first practice with the 20, I was fighting every urge I had to give them all of the answers, show them the way, tell them all of the secrets. AND what I saw in Chet was a man working his ass off to hold back the reigns, fight like crazy to let the moment / pain / learning / growth happen slowly AND purposefully. At the end of that practice when he said, “I’m exhausted”… I got it, I really got it MORE.
And again today, how lucky am I to be learning so much MORE than the average person? How lucky am I that I have people in my life who also want MORE? How great is it to know that MORE is possible? Today I learned that 2% out is plenty, but 100% in is mandatory AND it’s really important to see MORE in others to really get to know them. And in life as well, there’s always MORE…
DD
I have been writing like a banshee for a while now… it started with a work OPUS, then a personal one, then a S.CORE. I am getting close to hanging these up outside my office, behind my door and on the garage at home because by “finishing” them for some reason I kind of believed they were done. When actually, I think they are just beginning if I’m living out my overarching vision of being growth minded. You see I was stonewalling a fellow builder who just didn’t believe in a business strategy Kevin and I wrote because, well, I didn’t open my mind. I got it, I thought everyone else got it, and one person “not getting it” must just be an anomaly. However, I was gently reminded that I still have work to do in living my life with an open mind… and for that I’m humbled and thankful.
Secondly, I’ve been beyond blessed by the BTL proven methodology and more specifically Chestnut. What has really been interesting is to see him in different “lights” / rolls and then realize how much MORE there really is. When I first met Chet, he was “Tony Robbin’s” to me. A motivational speaker with a way with words. He would say things like, “I’m exhausted” after a practice and I thought he was full of dung. As Chet continued to share his voice, I began to hear it MORE clearly. I could actually see how he really said what he meant, meant what he said AND lived what he said. This authenticity, realness, commitment and belief are the real deal and that is rare – it just is.
It wasn’t until I met up with him and his daughter to pick up t-shirts and coffee mugs for last practice where this “MORE” became so much MORE. He was Chet AND a Dad. Both rolls gave me MORE insight into the other. Seeing him with his daughter showed me that he is just like any other working dad lucky enough to be on the road together, one heading to school – the other to work: they laughed, they teased, they spoke the same family dialect. He instantly became MORE than Chet the facilitator.
Then that encounter was quickly followed up by being able to see Chet “work” with the next group of BTL stallions in the Shop NB world. Because I had been through this before I was listening, watching, learning in a whole new way and consequently I saw MORE. During the first practice with the 20, I was fighting every urge I had to give them all of the answers, show them the way, tell them all of the secrets. AND what I saw in Chet was a man working his ass off to hold back the reigns, fight like crazy to let the moment / pain / learning / growth happen slowly AND purposefully. At the end of that practice when he said, “I’m exhausted”… I got it, I really got it MORE.
And again today, how lucky am I to be learning so much MORE than the average person? How lucky am I that I have people in my life who also want MORE? How great is it to know that MORE is possible? Today I learned that 2% out is plenty, but 100% in is mandatory AND it’s really important to see MORE in others to really get to know them. And in life as well, there’s always MORE…
DD
Friday, February 4, 2011
Pack Animal
So ever since our last BTL practice with the new 20, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the Anais Nin quote, "We don't see things how they are, we see things how we are." Funny how I've heard the quote before, except this time it stuck a little differently. If we see things how we are then there is great value in trying to learn how others see the same things AND even better, let others tell us how they see things in us - truth in love, but not in the tell someone "they suck", throw on a "truth in love :-)" sense - truth in love BUILT ON TRUST.
I've really been struggling lately to understand why I can't find the motivation and discipline to push myself harder to workout. I want to be healthy, I want to be in shape, I want to look better than I do, but still that's not enough. I've been doing a lot of thinking but also a lot of asking - this is new for me - I've reached out to a few that I really trust, that know me as well as any one can, and don't just tell me what I want to hear, but tell me what they see.
Someone told me today that I'm not a self disciplined person *truth* I'm a social disciplined person *tell me more*. When I'm a part of a "pack", my love for the group brings out a commitment in me that is strong, real and disciplined AND has often times lead to me becoming the pack leader. It just does. Since I'm more wired to be a member of a pack, my discipline will come when I have purpose other than that of my self. I'm just not built like an eagle who hunts alone - it's not enough to motivate me. But surround me with a distinct yet deeply connected pack and you'll see ME there.
Are you asking others what they see?
Are you building trust so that you can really share 'truth in love'?
God help me to do this more...
I've really been struggling lately to understand why I can't find the motivation and discipline to push myself harder to workout. I want to be healthy, I want to be in shape, I want to look better than I do, but still that's not enough. I've been doing a lot of thinking but also a lot of asking - this is new for me - I've reached out to a few that I really trust, that know me as well as any one can, and don't just tell me what I want to hear, but tell me what they see.
Someone told me today that I'm not a self disciplined person *truth* I'm a social disciplined person *tell me more*. When I'm a part of a "pack", my love for the group brings out a commitment in me that is strong, real and disciplined AND has often times lead to me becoming the pack leader. It just does. Since I'm more wired to be a member of a pack, my discipline will come when I have purpose other than that of my self. I'm just not built like an eagle who hunts alone - it's not enough to motivate me. But surround me with a distinct yet deeply connected pack and you'll see ME there.
Are you asking others what they see?
Are you building trust so that you can really share 'truth in love'?
God help me to do this more...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
She danced for me...
So I had a moment this morning that I hope I never forget. Julie had to take Miles to the pulmonologist and so I stayed home with Lily and Stella. As Lily puts it, "Dad, we get to have special Daddy / Daughters time! You love that don't you?" No answer needed.
The morning started off with Lily and I getting married and having a baby from Ethiopia. I of course was a prince and Lily was a peasant girl I fell in love with - which means she is now a princess and must dress like one. It never gets old. To look the part, she put on an old dance outfit she had from last year which doubled as her tooth fairy halloween custom accompanied by a sparkly tooth purse, a wand with silver streamers and a crown.
She asked me to put on a song so that she could dance for me. It was a magical moment. There, dancing before me, was my little angel. I could envision her dancing on her wedding day and praying that I will remember this moment. I wanted to remember how she danced... she danced honestly, whole-heartedly, sincerely and lovingly. She wasn't afraid or worried about how she looked, she was "all-in" in the moment.
I have a lot to learn from my kids. Talk about modeling the way... I could be so strong. I am so blessed.
The morning started off with Lily and I getting married and having a baby from Ethiopia. I of course was a prince and Lily was a peasant girl I fell in love with - which means she is now a princess and must dress like one. It never gets old. To look the part, she put on an old dance outfit she had from last year which doubled as her tooth fairy halloween custom accompanied by a sparkly tooth purse, a wand with silver streamers and a crown.
She asked me to put on a song so that she could dance for me. It was a magical moment. There, dancing before me, was my little angel. I could envision her dancing on her wedding day and praying that I will remember this moment. I wanted to remember how she danced... she danced honestly, whole-heartedly, sincerely and lovingly. She wasn't afraid or worried about how she looked, she was "all-in" in the moment.
I have a lot to learn from my kids. Talk about modeling the way... I could be so strong. I am so blessed.
Monday, December 27, 2010
That's the deal...
So we went to Chicago for Christmas - it's an every other year kind of deal but it's still not easy. Transporting 3 kids and all the stuff they need to survive - mixed with Santa's WAY too generous giving - covered by a really dysfunctional mother/mother-in-law relationship... and well, it's just down right hard as hell.
Bono sings "Home is where the hurt is" in one of my favorite U2 songs WALK ON. But if you've ever seen U2 live you might have heard him change the lyrics a bit. Online people say they've heard him change out "hurt" for "heart", "your heart" or "my wife and kids". Funny how those all go together, right?
Home is where the 'good' hurt is - you know the struggles of parenting in general that while they are painful, they are just part of the job. Like sleep. My son snores and no one can sleep with him because it's loud and perpetual. Poor kid already outcast by his own family at 4. So the weekend was a rotating mess for Julie and I looking for any quiet place to catch a few zzz's.
Then you have the joys of a sixteen month old. Stella is at such a tough age to be at other people's houses, restaurants, church, pretty much any where. She is into everything and if she's not allowed to do what she wants, she knows how to shriek in a way that wakes up the non-living. Hurt.
Home is where the 'bad' hurt is - I don't want to go into specifics but if you or your spouse has a dysfunctional relationship with your parents, than you unfortunately know this hurt all too well. This 'bad' hurt is a sad hurt and one I also share. My only solace is that I'm going to work my ass off to break the cycle, the rest I can't control.
Home is where the heart, my heart, my wife and kids are - kids opening presents, eating cookies, playing with cousins. Me connecting with Julie's aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a white Christmas in Chicago and it was the kind of snow that sits on the trees. Julie and I agreed its one of the most beautiful things about Chicago.
We had a fairly low-key Christmas morning and naps came a little early - Daddy joined in. After naps Julie suggested I take Lily and Miles outside and build a snowman. Unfortunately it wasn't the packing kind of snow but that didn't stop Lily and Miles from playing on a snow plow pile. Julie unexpectedly came out to join us leaving Stella with Oma. And shortly thereafter, a couple of dad's with their daughters crossed our path on their way to a sledding hill. We followed along and had a magical time. Miles rolled down the hill like a log and Lily sledded with a her new friend Kate (a 5-year-old adopted from China :-). We chatted with two parents in the throes of the 'good' hurt as well but like us, decided to go find some love time.
It was amazing how this short 1 hour event restarted my energy, took all the hurt and turned it into heart. I'm still perplexed by this even as I try to write it down now. What is it? How'd that happen? How can I get more of it? I'm guessing the hurt / heart... love / pain... poison / wine theme has a little something to do with it. This past year I just started allowing the hurt and pain back into my life and the results... the heart and love are bigger and better than I could ever hope for.
So I get it now, more than I did yesterday but probably not more than I will in the future. Home is where the hurt is and home is where the heart is, that's the deal.
Salaam - David
Bono sings "Home is where the hurt is" in one of my favorite U2 songs WALK ON. But if you've ever seen U2 live you might have heard him change the lyrics a bit. Online people say they've heard him change out "hurt" for "heart", "your heart" or "my wife and kids". Funny how those all go together, right?
Home is where the 'good' hurt is - you know the struggles of parenting in general that while they are painful, they are just part of the job. Like sleep. My son snores and no one can sleep with him because it's loud and perpetual. Poor kid already outcast by his own family at 4. So the weekend was a rotating mess for Julie and I looking for any quiet place to catch a few zzz's.
Then you have the joys of a sixteen month old. Stella is at such a tough age to be at other people's houses, restaurants, church, pretty much any where. She is into everything and if she's not allowed to do what she wants, she knows how to shriek in a way that wakes up the non-living. Hurt.
Home is where the 'bad' hurt is - I don't want to go into specifics but if you or your spouse has a dysfunctional relationship with your parents, than you unfortunately know this hurt all too well. This 'bad' hurt is a sad hurt and one I also share. My only solace is that I'm going to work my ass off to break the cycle, the rest I can't control.
Home is where the heart, my heart, my wife and kids are - kids opening presents, eating cookies, playing with cousins. Me connecting with Julie's aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a white Christmas in Chicago and it was the kind of snow that sits on the trees. Julie and I agreed its one of the most beautiful things about Chicago.
We had a fairly low-key Christmas morning and naps came a little early - Daddy joined in. After naps Julie suggested I take Lily and Miles outside and build a snowman. Unfortunately it wasn't the packing kind of snow but that didn't stop Lily and Miles from playing on a snow plow pile. Julie unexpectedly came out to join us leaving Stella with Oma. And shortly thereafter, a couple of dad's with their daughters crossed our path on their way to a sledding hill. We followed along and had a magical time. Miles rolled down the hill like a log and Lily sledded with a her new friend Kate (a 5-year-old adopted from China :-). We chatted with two parents in the throes of the 'good' hurt as well but like us, decided to go find some love time.
It was amazing how this short 1 hour event restarted my energy, took all the hurt and turned it into heart. I'm still perplexed by this even as I try to write it down now. What is it? How'd that happen? How can I get more of it? I'm guessing the hurt / heart... love / pain... poison / wine theme has a little something to do with it. This past year I just started allowing the hurt and pain back into my life and the results... the heart and love are bigger and better than I could ever hope for.
So I get it now, more than I did yesterday but probably not more than I will in the future. Home is where the hurt is and home is where the heart is, that's the deal.
Salaam - David
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