Quote of the day: "The best strategy for building a competitive organization is to help individuals become more of who they are." - Marcus Buckingham

I have to share some great experiences I have had the past couple of days. My oldest daughter, who is now 5 and a half, lost her second tooth. For some unknown reason, she does not let me play with it much. However, both teeth up to this point have been pulled out by mom. I am not sure if it is a pride issue, or just a role reversal thing, but that made me a little jealous. I am very proud of her, and she was very excited when the tooth fairy brought her a new $1 bill. The second event, earlier that evening, revolved around the new bike she got for Christmas. She has been very paranoid about riding around on her two-wheeler without someone right there holding on. I tried a new tactic, holding on to her shoulders, but she continually leaned to the left. She would randomly stop or fall down, thus causing me some physical harm, but I was having fun. The frustration was superficial, simply because she was doing exactly what I asked her not to do. Mommy came over and took the reigns while I wrangled the other two. It wasn't two minutes later, I look back and see my oldest pedaling on her own and just proud as can be. Another victory for mommy, because she helped my oldest get over her fear and she loves her bike now. Again, jealousy crept up, but more because I would have liked to share more in the success. On the other hand, I married an incredible woman, who should never doubt what kind of mommy she is, and capable of being.
We had two showings at our house in Colorado over the past 48 hours, and still not a single offer. I would really like to have the opportunity to move on with life, but we shall see. I know it will be good for my family to have their own place, but we cannot afford to pay the mortgage on one house and the rent on another.
I went to the gym with my wife last evening, and I tell you what, I have never been so dead tired, humiliated, or sweaty, as I was last night when we were finished. Several exercises were ones I have never seen before, and my body was just not ready to handle it all. When all was said and done this morning, I was down a pound from yesterday's weigh in. Pretty crazy. My youngest daughter will be going to pre-school, for about 1/3 of the cost of my oldest daughter's school, so that makes me happy. Although, my children are just growing up so fast that I cannot handle it. I love them so much, and soon I will be dealing with my oldest going to Kindergarten; hearing all the big kid talk, probably getting bullied in some way, getting her little heart broken, and eventually growing up to the point where dad is just a gleam in her eye. I know there are going to be fabulous things happening as well, so I am not trying to be Mr. Negative Pants, but I want to keep her under my protective umbrella, and that will not be the case as much as it has been in the past.
Do you agree with the comment made by my boy Marcus? I believe it is true, with some exceptions. It depends on the caliber of people you have working with you or for you. You do not want a person to be more of who they are if that enhances negative performance or negative behavior. Otherwise, individualism is a key component to a successful organization. Without it, opportunities are lost.
The USA plays Mexico tonight, the first soccer game under new head coach Klinnesman. I hope the team gives a good showing. We shall see!