Be Prepared

Around this time last year I really amped up my belief in the old Boy Scout motto to Always Be Prepared. My brother was among many other friends that were recently out of work, and I decided that I was going to prepare myself ahead of time for an unexpected lay off. Dave Ramsey was my new friend. Tonia and I didn’t quite use gazelle-like intensity, but we did really well in attacking our debt. By the time 2009 rolls around we’ll have paid off around $9,000 in debt (we both completely financed college, so this is a long road). We had already decided to step up our intensity this next year despite the addition of some new debt. Our goal is to pay off at least $15,000 in debt in 2009.

Those numbers look astronomical to me when put on paper, but it’s amazing how easy it is when it becomes your focus. I can’t recommend the snowball method enough, but really the best way to reduce your debt is to live on less. Consistently evaluate your spending and cut out what you can. I have been steadily increasing my savings deduction that comes out of my weekly check. In January I plan on increasing that another $25. You learn to adjust your spending to what you have available. It’s all a mind game, but it works.

I’ve said all that to say this, don’t wait until it’s too late to get your finances in order. Be prepared. I read a great article today on Get Rich Slowly with 10 Essential Steps to Take Before You Get Laid Off.

1. Update Your Skills
2. Reduce Your Household Burn Rate
3. Start a Blog
4. Expand Your Physical Network
5. Update Your LinkedIn Profile
6. Expand Your Virtual Network
7. Start Exercising
8. Learn to Use Social Media Effectively
9. Do Extracurricular Work That Showcases Your Abilities
10. Avoid Being Laid Off in the First Place

Read the entire article here.

Filed under: Debt, Money, Work

Till It’s Gone

I don’t mean to get too sappy on you here, but my daily routine just took a major hit.

Superman has left the building.

No longer will I come to work and have my coffee made for me by a superman. No longer will I spend lunch hours plowing through seasons of Heroes and Seinfeld, or making silly videos. I have lost someone in the office that truly gets me, and truly inspires me in all areas of life. (Not to mention I am now the only male in this office).

He got an offer he couldn’t refuse and is now doing design and marketing for Washtenaw Community College. I couldn’t be happier for my brother from another mother. I thought I was going to be just fine since we’ll still be able to IM all day everyday like we always did at work, but after browsing through the Mud and Steel archives to find the video above I got a little choked up.

It’s true though… you never really know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

Filed under: Friends, Work

Fun with Allegories

I coined a phrase yesterday that was probably coined by someone else before me:

“The best time to go fishing is when you’re not hungry.” —Russell Hawkins

Well, I’m not “hungry” just yet so I think it’s a good time to cast a few rods in the ocean to see what’s biting, and I need your help with the hottest lures and the best places to fish.

Any recommendations?

Filed under: Employment, Evolution, Future, Growth, Job Hunting, Resume, Resumes, Work

Monday Meme

(via transitionpete)

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago today I was sitting in class at Harding University, wondering if there was going to be a basketball game later that day. I was preparing for my spring break vacation with my friend Mike. We were heading to the Grand Canyon to camp, and to some spring training games in Phoenix, while my soon to be wife was heading home to Michigan to plan our wedding for the following Summer.

Five things on my to-do list today?
1. Wrap up an eNewsletter.
2. Update some NLEA files online.
3. Resize a recent ad I designed for 10 different magazines.
4. Ride bike with my son.
5. Cook some Salmon for the fam.

5 places I have traveled?
1. Caribbean
2. Las Vegas, Phoenix, Cincinatti, Pittsburgh (vacations)
3. Germany (lived there 4 years)
4. New York, Chicago, Washington (for work)
5. Arkansas, Florida, South Dakota, Michigan (lived in these states)

5 snacks or treats I enjoy?
1. Coke Classic
2. Crab cakes & Shrimps
3. Dunkin Donuts Coffee w/ French Vanilla Creamer
4. Cheeseburgers
5. Peanut M&M’s

What would I do if I were a billionaire?
1. Quit my job
2. Build NewSong a building
3. Travel
4. Find a billion ways to give it all away.

5 of my bad habits?
1. Procrastination
2. Eating Unhealthy
3. Nose picking
4. Thinking more than I act
5. Avoiding necessary conflict

Places I have lived?
See above.

Jobs I’ve had?
1. Maintenance at Funeral Home
2. Bindery and Pre-press at Print Shop
3. Assistant for Chimney Sweep
4. Sandwich artist at Arby’s
5. Graphic Designer / Marketing (current)

Feel free to fill in your own answers in the comments.

Filed under: Food, Giving, Meme's, Monday's, Play, Travel, Work

Doing Work

Walked into my bathroom tonight to tell Tanner something…

Didn’t expect that.

Filed under: Bathrooms, Laptops, Multitasking, Tanner, Work

Case of the Monday’s

I think I have a case of the Monday’s this morning.

Just a blah kind of day today. I think it has to do with me totally missing my sabbath rest yesterday. It’s amazing how much you come to rely on those days when you just lay on the couch and recover from the week of responsibilities and deadlines.

But yesterday I was on edge all day. The Dish guy came and drilled holes in my nice siding and my new roof, tracked mud all over the floor, and completely reformatted my entire television life. All the while my son and dog were trying to figure out what in the world was going on in their house (read extremely hyper).

To relieve the stress I took a long hot shower and went to the 10pm showing of Rambo with my brother. Pretty sure that didn’t relieve any stress, but it was a nice preview of what the game will look like next week. I was planning on making some wings for that game, but in an effort to regain my sabbath rest next Sunday, I’ll be shelling out for someone else to make me some wings.

Oh, and Jason didn’t make me any coffee this morning… ugh.

Manic Monday – Bangles

Filed under: Bangles, Butt-Dragging, Coffee, Monday's, Office Space, Work

Photoshop Love

Part of my day-to-day job is to keep things current on our website. Today I was tasked with updating the image of Natto Miso.

First I had to run out to the warehouse and find the product. Then I had to take a quick picture with our sweet digital camera. The lighting out there isn’t great, and I was too lazy to lug a tripod out there, so I had to tweak the image a bit in photoshop. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.

Gotta love what you do, right?

Filed under: Eden Foods, Miso, Photoshop, Work

Sharpen The Pencil

My dad (the pastor) likes to tell a story about someone approaching him after church one day, complaining about how the pencils were dull in the pews—some of them didn’t even have lead. GASP! My dad, wise beyond his years, simply said, “Have you ever thought about sharpening them?”

I know this is a huge problem within the church—we’re all familiar with the 20/80 rule—but I think this problem extends to our everyday lives. Too often we get caught up saying to ourselves, “I wish someone would take care of this,” or, “That’s not in my job description.“

Maybe if we all just saw a need and filled it instead of complaining or waiting around for someone else to do it, things would run a little smoother. Maybe the next time we see a pencil that’s dull we’ll just go sharpen it.

ps. This post was inspired by a hair on the rim of the toilet at work.
pss. Said hair has been removed.

Filed under: Church, Getrdone, Pencils, Work

I’m Published

So it’s not CA, or HOW, or PRINT, but it is published! And the magazine, US Ad Review, claims to contain, “The best advertising at work in the American workplace.”

The ad they’re using is actually one in a series I did of similar style. Basically I was poking fun of different types of people who would enjoy our product by describing them, and then calling them a name at the end—in this case Foodie (I also had Tree Hugger, Smart Pants, Hippie, and Goodie Two-Shoes versions). In poking fun, I hoped to strike a cord with them and let them know that Eden Foods is like-minded in their passions.

The best part about this honor is that I didn’t submit it. They called my boss and asked for permission to use the ad, and for the names of those involved in the project. I also happened to be the photographer in this one, so that’s doubly cool.

So check out Issue #57, page 72, of US Ad Review if you ever get a chance. (Or click here to view it now.) It’s not the best ad I’ve ever done, but whatever works, eh? I think it’s nice, and effective, because it’s simple and very colorful.

Filed under: Advertising, Eden Foods, Foodie, Marketing, Tree Hugger, Work

Florida or Bust

It appears that my good friend MIke Jacobs is on his way to Melbourne, Florida. (Yeah, we’ve got a Melbourne too). Another one has broken free and is headed straight out of Michigan. It’s amazing the job opportunities available south of Toledo. It’s a shame because I was just starting to get used to his smell.

I was introduced to Mike when we began NewSong a little over 2 years ago. He’s been running the sound board ever since, and I’ve spent many a Sunday ducking from his spit balls.

I’m happy that Mike was able to land a sweet gig doing what he wants to do. He is an inspiration in the fact that he went out and got it done. He wasn’t going to wallow around in mediocrity his whole life, he was going to actively pursue good things for his life! Luckily for me I booked him for the Friday Mute Math show prior to this news, so he’s going out with a bang!

Congratulations Mike! Get a place with an extra bedroom, you’ll be having company very soon!

Filed under: Florida, Friendship, Goals, Michigan, Success, Work