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Value Your Time

Sad News and Wasting Time

by admin on September 28, 2010

I received a sad email today.  A friend of mine has a mother who is sick.  In fact, the initial prognosis was 4-6 weeks.  I hope that this scenario changes.  Can you imagine many things worse than receiving the news that you have 4 weeks to live?  Perhaps there are worse things . . . but I can’t think of any of them now.

As much as this has burdened my heart for her family, it has also made me realize a couple of things: 1. Life’s short.  Enjoy it.  2. This was my year to be committed to several things.  My blog is one of them . . . and I haven’t even taken the time to blog since early August. 

If you are like me (and I am sure that you are), you get busy.  You forget the things that are important.  You neglect your commitments.  And then you hope the new year gets here fast enough so that you can recommit.  I didn’t want to be this type of person this year.

Don’t get me wrong.  I have sold a business and accomplished a couple of my other goals this year.  However, it seems that my grade on my commitments for the year might be a “low B.”  I don’t accept that kind of work.  You shouldn’t either.

This is a great week to re-commit. We are only about 51.5 hours away from the final quarter of the year.  This is the time to redevote yourself to your task. 

How many friends have you reconnected with this year?

How much debt have you paid down this year?

When is the last time you talked to your cousin?

Have you called your mother today?

Sent a postcard to your grandmother?

Let’s get to work and finish 2010 strong.  This is the year that many of us have decided is our turnaround year.  If you haven’t met your spiritual, business or personal goals, there is no better time than now.

Collin Harbour

collinharbour.com


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Austin Street Shelter and Other Charitable Organizations

by admin on April 21, 2010

I had the fortune of attending a luncheon yesterday honoring Dallas Cowboys superstar Jason Witten and his wife Michelle.  The event was to the benefit of Austin Street Centre.  I enjoyed the luncheon.  I got to shake Jason’s hand and realized how small I actually am compared to football players.  The Witten’s seem like a class act.  I truly enjoy when people that have been blessed at their level (financially, talent wise, etc) decide to give back to others who aren’t as fortunate.

I also enjoyed hearing about the work of Austin Street Centre.  I have heard about them for years through my church, but haven’t really paid much attention to their mission (I am embarrassed to say.)  Here is their mission from their website:     The Centre’s primary purpose for existence is to offer emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate Christian community, so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices and changes in their lives. The Centre has a particular ministry of caring for those who suffer from various physical and mental disabilities, unable to care for themselves, with few or no available alternatives. This includes 24-hour shelter care for those persons recovering from serious illness or injury.

We get so caught up in ourselves, that we forget their are those who are really in need.  In many of these cases, they don’t have an alternative.  It’s not like people choose to live in a shelter.  It’s not like people choose to live on the street.  I bet you didn’t know that 25% of the people in the shelter have a full time job.  Many of these individuals are escaping abusive relationships or are suffering from mental illness.  Many just flat out don’t have any other options.

Think about your local community and find a charity that helps others.  Actually, that is almost an oxymoron since most, if not all, charitable organizations help others.  Think about something dear to your heart: homeless children, abused spouses and children, people who have lost loved ones or jobs, people suffering from unbearable illness or disease.  Your community has a charitable organization to help these individuals.  Now, pick up the phone and call them to see if you can help them.  I bet you can.

Thanks Austin Street Shelter.  Thanks Jason and Michelle Witten.  Thanks to the greater charitable community as a whole.

collinharbour.com


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How Do You Spend Your Time?

April 6, 2010

I have been somewhat disorganized lately.  Our insurance business has been a little slow, which I think is causing this disorganization.  When I (and others) have too much time on my hands, it is easy to find ways to waste the extra time rather than make it productive.  I have spent the last couple of [...]

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A Place To Get Work Done

March 4, 2010

I have an office. It is for my insurance business. Many of our customers want to know they are dealing with a bricks and mortar operation, even though it is not absolutely necessary to have a location in the insurance business. From time to time, I need to get away from the office to do my work. This might seem counter intuitive, but it is true. I have found that getting out of the office to get work done is an effective method of managing my time. The key is finding the right location.

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Being at the Right Place at the Right Time

February 23, 2010

I know people who always seem to have good things happen to them.  They always seem to be in the right place at the right time.  I was watching an old re-run of Seinfeld last night and saw a perfect example of this (watch the first minute and a half for the illustration and the whole thing if [...]

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Social Media Marketing for Nonprofits

February 21, 2010

Social media marketing and networking is a necessity for non profits. As a business, you are subject to the same competitive rules as for profit businesses. As a non profit, you have more limited resources than many businesses and you need to find a way to efficiently market your non profit. There are only so many resources to go around and you are competing with other businesses and interestes for these resources. Social Media is one of the methods that business of all sizes, including non profit businesses can achieve these goals effectively and effeciently.

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Social Media as a Small Business Strategy

February 18, 2010

Social Media is a big deal. If you don’t believe it, you are living in a dream world. Millions of people flock to social media sites each day. As a small business owner, you need to develop a small business strategy that fits your business, your time and your needs. As a definition of small business, I will focus on companies with 10 or fewer employees here, though I know that small business encompasses a much broader range.

Social Media/Networking is growing exponentially at this time. You’ve heard of Facebook and Twitter and you’ve probably heard of LinkedIn. But have you heard of Plaxo, Ning, Fast Pitch, Merchant Circle or Biznik? I have, and I have spent a vast amount of time in each of these networks. Social Media is a way for you to participate in the conversation related to your interests and industry. It is a way for you to network with others and advertise your business. I have read many places where “social media is free.” Let me dispel that notion immediately. This is not the case as some social media sites require a premium for some of their services. Even so, the dollar cost of social media is essentially nothing for the basic services.

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What to do at the end of the day?

February 17, 2010

Daughter is asleep. Wife is asleep. I’m watching the Texas – Missouri basketball game. I have caught up on my reading on selected articles from my Google Reader. I have read and posted feedback on the blogs and articles that I found relevant. Now, what should I do? According to Gary Vaynerchuck, now is the time to Crush It! (I just completed his book of the same title. I do recommend it, especially since I like short books).

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Sometimes you just need to play in the snow

February 11, 2010

It snowed today in Dallas. I mean, it really snowed today in Dallas. I’m not talking about a half inch of snow when everyone wakes up and tunes into the news to see if their office/school is delayed or closed. I guess it started overnight, because when I left for work this morning snow had already accumulated on the ground.

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Wasting Time And Getting Sidetracked

February 10, 2010

As a small business owner, you are probably thinking, “Harbour, I don’t get sidetracked and I definitely don’t waste time. I’m busy all day every day and focusing on business growth.” I hear you. I think the same thing all of the time. I am too busy to be bored. However, there is some free time in your day. If you logged each 15 minute interval of your day, it is probable that you will find some wasted time. The focus of this bit is to determine what to do with that time.

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