From Sandra Abbey ... Please Check Out My Fundraiser

Please donate to my fundraiser. I'm raising funds for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Arizona as part of my training program to prepare for the Tucson Marathon in December. I'll be running 13.1 miles in the half-marathon, but many more miles than that as I train for the big day. Help me make it even more worthwhile by donating to this exceptional organization. If you want to join my team and run with me - let me know! Donate to My Fundraiser Thanks so much. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your support. Sandra If the link above doesn't work for you, use this link instead: http://www.crowdrise.com/crowdrise/sponsor-me/leadership-discoveryrun/fundraiser/sandraabbey/00872d7327ddbcc32cc4c4fb55bf558f/c9144b4e59b20ca7b570db65fb5207cf If you have any questions, you can email me or email CrowdRise for the most amazing customer service in the world. You have received this email because a friend or at least someone who thinks you like them wants you to know about CrowdRise. CrowdRise will not send you any emails as a result of this email from your friend so no need to worry. If you decide you love CrowdRise, be sure to sign up for your own account so you can receive our fairly interesting emails. Please see our Privacy Policy or Contact Us if you have any questions. If you would like to unsubscribe and stop receiving these emails Click Here.

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Leadership Lessons from a Shallow River

Leadership Lessons from a Shallow River 

Sometimes being a leader means plunging into new territory or making decisions without all the facts known.  Still, being prepared with as much information as reasonably possible can help things go more smoothly.    

On a recent ½-day kayaking trip three friends and I were prepared for some, but not all of the snags we encountered.   A bit more homework may have steered us to a different waterway; however, we would not have had the same physical workout. 

We selected a 6-mile segment of the Gila River just north of Winkelman, Arizona.  Three out of the four of us had floated this segment two years prior, and because there have recently been some good southern Arizona rainstorms we were hoping there would be sufficient water flow (remember, this is the Southern Arizona desert – not a ton of water sports to be had).  We were well prepared with sunscreen, snacks and plenty of drinking water and we expected to be on the river about 3 hours – a nice leisurely float. 

What we found is in spite of the recent rains, the reservoir was not necessarily letting much water flow through the dam into the river, and we were a little too far downstream – hence – very shallow water, sometimes only a few inches.  This meant several times we had to get out of the kayaks and physically carry them for several yards to slightly deeper water.  This also means lots of rocks, mud, fallen tree branches and other snags in the water to be avoided.   

While we enjoyed the company of friends, and got a well-rounded workout from not only paddling, but walking and carrying the kayaks, the trip took us well over 4 hours, and was much less leisurely than we’d expected.   We know we could have done more planning and gathered more information about the stream and water flow conditions, which might have lead us to choose a different location.  But we’re glad we made the trip, and feel it was a rewarding adventure. 

All this reminded me of how leaders sometimes have to make decisions based on limited or partial information. Still, with good planning and gathering of the facts that are available plunging into new challenges can be very rewarding.

Revving up neglected networking

I'm a huge proponent of networking with colleagues from all walks of life - after all it is the personal touch that really keeps us all motivated through good times and rough roads.  I am also the first to admit that I have not done enough to stay in touch with my friends, family and acquaintances.    I still think of all these people a great deal, but when I scrutinize things more closely I realize it has been months, or sometimes years, since I made a phone call to the person, met them for lunch or coffee, and just kept in touch. 

It is so easy to think I'm in touch by checking the social networking sites like Linked-In, Facebook, or sending a quick email - but that is not the same thing as connected in person or by phone.  Sadly,  I don't even have the phone numbers for many of my family members!  We always communicate via email or facebook!

So,  I am going to make a new year's resolution - and it doesn't even have to be a new year - to get back in touch.  Don't be surprised if you hear from me soon!

Training for a Half Marathon

Well I finally committed - and registered for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon.

It all started last Thanksgiving when talking with my brother (a known marathon runner, which I think is completely insane) about his experiences in getting the majority of his seven children to run this half marathon the previous summer. As luck would have it my 19 year old daughter was all enthused about the idea and wanted to do it this year. Well, I told her that I'd do it with her (just in case her Uncle and Cousins weren't up to it a second year in a row) so that she'd have someone to run with.

I am not a runner. Never have been. Well, except enjoying short sprints as a kid - especially if it involved beating the boys in footraces at the local elementary school playground. But, anything longer than 50 or even 100 yards - forget it! Okay, well I admit I have jogged (with a lot of walking involved) a 10K and a few 5K charity fund raisers, but not on a regular basis.

So, last month I started jogging (with a lot of walking involved) 3-4 days a week. I started with 1 to 3 miles each time and have slowly worked up to 3 to 5 miles. Next week I go for a 6 mile jog. Now my brother tells me it will become addicting, but for me it is still a chore. But I am continuing to do it (for my daughter who is still planning to go with me). I have noticed that FINALLY after a month I have started to be able to jog more and walk less - so that is an improvement - and I did go to the half marathon website and register over the weekend - so that means I have started to believe I really can do it!

Make time for motivating lunches!

I just had a great meeting with almost a complete stranger who is now a friend and will soon be a business associate. It all stemmed from a visit a month or two ago at my place of work from a very motivating woman who was hoping to do business with the company I work for. I'll call her Victoria.

Unfortunately, my company was not able to take advantages of Victoria's opportunity, however, I remembered her energy and enthusiasm for the company she is associated with and wanted to find out more about it. Turns out that after a couple of failed attempts and scheduling conflicts we were finally able to meet for lunch today. By this time the original interest had started to wane for me, but since I had the lunch meeting booked I figured it would not hurt to follow through with it. And I have to admit I had given thought to Victoria's business products and thought I might be interested as a customer only. The product line, by the way, is a travel discount club.

Well, I am so glad I took the time to meet in person again and to find out more details about the program. For one thing, I discovered that I became more and more interested the more I heard about the potential opportunities. While I am not a gullible person, and certainly don't have time in my busy life for a lot more activity, I have been known to think about multiple business opportunities at a time.

So, after a fabulous lunch (yum!) at a great local restaurant, I have decided to tiptoe into yet another potential opportunity for the future. So, very shortly will be a business colleague of Victorias, although for me it will be very part-time for now. Still, the idea of a discount club (like Sam's club or Costco) specifically for travel - is a terrific concept and I look forward to sharing it with others.