Ted Schneider "Improv Leadership" The Life wrlr 98.3 FM

Disposable 8/24/24 – intended to be used once, or until no longer useful, and then thrown away. We live in a world where many things are disposable. Things are made of plastic – use it once and toss it. An appliance no longer works – throw it away and buy a new one (not worth the repair costs). We get a brand-new cell phone and within a year get a longing to replace it. People lease cars and turn them in every two years. This trend made me think about relationships – some treat them as disposable. I googled it and the average relationship lasts about 2 years (which I was surprised was that long). Some treat dating like buying a car from Carvana – look at all that is available – there is plenty to pick from. For some, relationships quickly transition from “Wow” to “I’m not feeling it” (they believe it is easier to start a new one versus working on the existing one). Even friendships for some appear to be disposable as well – people dump friends they deem no longer are useful to them. We are all disposable at some point (rumor has it we are all going to die) but in the meantime if something was specifically made for one use (Kleenex, diaper, toilet paper – you get my point) dispose of it. But if there is a way to make something last more than once, why not hold on to it to see how it weathers, how it can continue to be part of your life and useful.

45-year anniversary! 8/17/24  – This year marks the 45th anniversary of cutting my own hair!
Benefits:
No appointments, no calling the salon or going to the website to book a day/time – when I am in the mood, or it is getting long I pick up the scissors and do it!
No cost (including no tipping) – if I paid myself over these years I saved about $7000.00.
The old Vidal Sassoon tagline was, “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good” - same applies here, “If I don’t look good, I don’t look good” I take accountability!
No small talk goes on while I am cutting my hair.
I get control over another aspect of my life and some creative freedom.
I can show off my hair cutting skills and expertise.
I have hair to cut.
Drawbacks:
I must wash my own hair and it is not as relaxing as having someone else doing it.
If someone asks, “who cuts your hair” because they think it looks bad, I unfortunately cannot blame anyone.
I cannot take time off work to “go get a haircut” – as some of my colleagues do.
I have no one to make small talk with during the haircut (if I talk to myself, it gets weird).
Sometimes I just do not feel like it (I apply more gel and hairspray to hold off the haircut).
I must clean up afterwards and wish someone else did.
I sometimes get carried away and/or bored and excessively trim my eyebrows, ear hairs and nose hairs.
PS - I am having an anniversary party at the Schneider Salon this week – the first 10 customers win a door prize (I can’t wait to claim all the prizes)!

Things to tell my younger self 8/10/24 - I was doing some career coaching last week with a friend’s son and he asked me, “What would you tell your younger self”

10 things I would tell my younger self:

Follow my heart regarding things I was passionate about and create a career out of them (versus just get a job).

Take more risk in pursuing my dreams.

Invest earlier in the stock market in companies I believed in and bought their products & services.

Delay getting married until my 30’s to better understand who I was and what I truly wanted.

Care much less about what others thought about me.

Evaluate female relationships with a more critical eye and look for long term compatibility versus short term fun & pleasure.

Be comfortable with who I was, and that conformity was highly overrated

Push myself to try new things and don’t let fear hold me back.

Perfectionism was not healthy or necessary.

Time is precious, not to be wasted and it passes quicker than I realize. 

Sales 8/3/24 - Over the years many people have made the comment, “You should be in sales” - probably because I talk to everyone and talk all the time. I actually was in sales when I was in Boy Scouts – went door to door selling Christmas wreaths, garland etc. as a fundraiser. I had a paper route when I was very young, and I hustled some of our neighbors by cutting their lawns and shoveling snow. I’ve done volunteer work for little league by asking businesses to be on our fundraising discount cards, but I have never made a living in sales, or have I? During any job interview I ever had I was selling myself. On dating apps, I created a profile selling myself (a hard sell) and in person I continued with a soft sell. Thinking back on parenting – I was selling my children on the concept that I was in charge (they weren’t buying it). In a relationship you engage in sales like behavior negotiating what to do as a couple, what to have for dinner or what to watch on Netflix. According to experts having strong selling skills means being able to 1) explain how your product works, 2) what value it provides and 3) why your prospects need it – sounds like a first date to me!  

EGP 7/27/24 – Elk Grove Picklers is a group of people connected via WhatsApp to play pickleball. It’s more than a game, more than just exercise – it is one way to connect with others. It is a social event, getting together to play a game and rotating to play different people. In addition, the group has welcomed me – a player with much less experience and skill than most and feeling accepted with a sense of belonging is a definite bonus. Playing has given me the opportunity to meet new people – which ultimately is what the human experience is all about. Lastly, the game is fun and even though it has awakened the competitive side in me, I don’t care if I win or lose – I simply want to play and get a little better. Finally, it lifts my spirit. Who would have thought that a paddle and a bright colored plastic ball with multiple holes could do all this! It is more than just a game….. 

A few things my parents taught me 7/20/24

- Distinguish wants from needs.

- You get one body – take care of it and you will hopefully have it for a long time.

- Treat others as you want to be treated.

- Always keep your conscience and manners with you.

- People will judge you by the company you keep.

- Give 110% no matter what you do.

- There is a time and place for everything.

- Time will heal most things and if you somehow forget there usually will be a scar you can reference.

- Positive thoughts and a positive focus attract positive results.

- There is nothing you cannot do if you get your mind on board with the effort.

- Never lose your sense of humor.  

Sweet spot 7/13/24 – The area on a baseball bat that the hitter will receive the highest level of performance. Some traits and behaviors that demonstrate humans are hitting their sweet spot:

- They know what is important in life.

- They are optimistic and believe in mankind despite what they see on the evening news.

- They know the reason they were born and are answering their calling.

- They maintain a child-like curiosity.

- They get up every day with excitement of the possibilities of the new day.

- They can change speeds smoothly like a 10 speed CVT transmission.

- They are honest, respectful, and courageous regardless of the circumstances they face.

- They exercise self-control, willpower, and are resilient.

- They are comfortable with who they are, and they like themselves resulting in having the ability and capacity to love others.

- They don’t need anyone to motivate them – it bubbles up inside of them like a natural spring.

 Summer night 7/6/24 – Last Tuesday after the radio show I went to surprise my girlfriend where she plays pickleball. It was a beautiful summer night, and I wasn’t on call (for work), so it was the perfect evening. I found the park and sat there unnoticed for a while and looked around the park - it reminded me of the Chicago song, ‘Saturday in the Park’ because there were people playing badminton, pickleball, children running around on the playground, and some people were just sitting, or reading and others were simply talking. It also reminded me of summers when I was young – out on a summer night with nothing to worry about, no plans except to live in the moment and have fun with my friends. My girlfriend saw me at one point and waved me in to sit by their court and when they finished, she said “Do you want to go to DQ?” to which I replied, “Sure.” As we sat at DQ the night continued just as it had many, many years before – relaxing, talking and enjoying some ice cream. This wasn’t planned – it was spur of the moment and it was fun – fun to sit outside on a summer night enjoying her company. How many times had I done this in the past? More importantly, how many more opportunities lie ahead to enjoy a summer night, outside having ice cream with someone you care about? As the Chicago song goes, “A real celebration, waiting for us all – And I’ve been waiting such a long time.”