Moving On - Paying it Forward

As most of my regular readers know I've recently separated from my wife and am now in a foreign country trying to find purpose. I've received many a word of advice and encouragement.  Since it's International Pay It Forward Day, I thought I would share some wisdom I've received via email, Facebook, texts...with those of you jumping, or tripping over, your own relationship hurdles.   

Here are a few (but definitely not all) that have helped my journey forward:

I'll finish off with a quote I posted on Facebook a couple weeks back that puts some of my perceived shortcomings into perspective: 

 Stay Classy,

Jimmy

The Keys to a Successful Business

The other morning I walked up to the counter of the coffee shop* I always stop at before work. The Barista** offered me a complimentary coffee, and then gave me a card which offers a free coffee every eighth cup purchased. The service there has always been mediocre, but the chairs are super comfortable and great for reading. Frankly I didn't think they noticed me as a regular customer until today. I have now become loyal to the establishment. Which brings me to the keys of a successful business.

Consistency and Spontaneity

I know they seem like opposing ideas, but combined these two ingredients make up the perfect recipe for good business. Let me explain.

When you get a haircut*** at a salon what are your expectations? Most the time you expect your stylist to interact with you in the same way as the last visit, to cut your hair the same way as last time (unless you request something different of course). Basically you want the same level of service, and the same person, each and every time you enter the salon. Now, most people will accept a variance to this guideline at least one out of every twenty visits (not a scientifically accurate calculation). But, what happens if your usual stylist is absent on multiple occasions, even though you booked an appointment with them? The salon receptionist then tells you a different stylist will be cutting your hair. Same friendly service, same great cut. But it's just not the same is it?
Or, your stylist offers you a coffee during the first few visits and then suddenly stops offering? Or, your stylist suddenly gives you bangs when you were so happy with the bowl cut you were getting for months.

(I call this the Dumb and Dumber cut, believe it or not I thought it looked good at the time {1990's}. George Clooney had something similar, but less bowl-ee) 


I know these things sound trivial, but most people are not conditioned for these variances.

Now, let's say you have been going to the same stylist for five years. Let's name her Samantha (I prefer female stylists, in case some of you are wondering about my choice of gender - I get too much satisfaction from a hair wash to allow another man's meaty hands touching my scalp) You've developed a pretty close relationship Samantha, bordering on friendship. Great, consistent, service and amazing haircuts. But every few months, out of the blue, Samantha gives you a free container of hair gel, or says "try this shampoo out for me". Would your loyalty to that stylist and salon go up a notch?

Like in all good relationships consistency can turn into boredom. Throw in a little spontaneous gesture now and then and that customer relationship could turn into lifelong loyalty, and a string of recommendations.


end notes:

* in case you're on the Gold Coast and want mediocre, but consistent, service and a nice cup of coffee, check out Gourmet Espresso in the Pacific Fair shopping centre. They may just surprise you. Look for me between 9:45 and 10:30am in one of the comfy chairs reading on my iPad.
- authors note: since originally starting this article the service at said coffee shop has gotten much better. Or perhaps I'm fooling myself into believing it ever since my free cup of coffee.


** did you know Barista is Italian for someone who works behind the bar (aka bartender)? So, the next time you're at your local pub, keep referring to the bartender as a Barista. Be wary of the surly ones though. You may discover extra, flemy, ingredients in your drink.


*** the idea of consistency in relation to haircuts was explained way better in Malcolm Gladwell's book 'The Tipping Point'.

All Work and No Play...

It's been awhile since I wrote in this blog. I've been so busy living that I forgot that I wanted my living to be about being creative. Hence, starting this blog.

Let's catch up:

Still crashing at my surfer/pool shop entrepreneur friend Elliot's place. I tried giving him money for rent the other day, but he refused. He's like that, generous bastard!
So I bought him a hands free mobile device for his van.

The same van I seem to be using everyday. Did I really buy the device for him or me? Trust me, it was for Elliot. Until two weeks ago he didn't have one song on his iPhone. He didn't know how to transfer it. So I am doing my mate a service by making life easier. That is, when he eventually gets to drive his van again.

I finally landed a job. My mission is to stay on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately there aren't many opportunities for someone with my TV expertise. So in order to stay on the coast I applied for a couple practical, and a few "I have no experience in it, but what the hell" jobs. After losing out on a couple 'fun' positions (Sales and Development rep for a beer brewing company, and Digital Manager for Gold Coast Tourism) I landed a combination of both. I have now joined a cult of sorts. The Cult of Mac. I am selling and giving technical advice at an Apple Reseller called Next Byte. At first I wasn't too enthused (pay not what I want), looking at it as a temporary gig before I found something better. But I'm really starting to like it. Talking about Apple products all day is something I think is fun (Yes, I Am A Geek). 

                                           (not actually me ;)


And, let's just say I'm learning a lot about the inner workings of Macs by some people that are much smarter. That fills in the no 'real work' experience portion of my job find. Not that I was a slouch on a computer prior. But, I now know the difference between an i5 and an i7 processor, can change the ram and hard drives on most laptop and desktop computers, and can sell the shit out of an Apple TV.


I still can't surf well. Surfing is HARD. I'm not a strong swimmer. The left rib I popped out years ago jams into the board when I'm paddling out, making the ride very uncomfortable. I can't seem to get past the surging white water to the calm ocean five meters away. The rip drags me half a kilometer north. And there have been an ever increasing amount of shark sightings along the coast. A guy was bit a week ago.

 The cool thing is he was riding one of my friend Kane's KB boards at the time and they showed it on channel Nine here in Australia. Even sharks love KB boards. (I'm building Kane's website for him, there will be a rough version up by the end of the week - check out www.nightmareshapes.com )

I have cut Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu out for a bit. I've temporarily lost that aggressive edge and feel like a white belt on the mats. I'm going to focus on getting my body back in shape (yoga, pilates, circuit training), meditating, and perhaps stop focusing so much on myself and do some volunteering. 

 

That been said, I spent the weekend, with a cold, drinking, eating crappy food, and haven't done a lick of exercise.

I'm trying to relearn how to be attractive to the opposite sex again. I got complacent when I was married* (See below for note). And some of my mannerisms and attitudes don't play so well on the Gold Coast social scene. Let's face it, I'm kinda weird. 
My goal is to shadow my friend Cuzzy (real name Shane).


He has an ease and naturalness about him that women gravitate to. I start talking to them, but they seem to always end up with Cuzzy. I think they just dig his eyes (according to ladies I've spoken to), and his little pit puppy name Sonny. Friggin' Kiwis!







Honestly I think he's a 'Woman Whisperer'.

        Take these photos from last night as an example: (location Tonic in Labrador, QLD)

*side note:

* "when I was married". How do you refer to someone who you're still married to but separated? She's still technically my wife, but when trying to move on in life it produces a few obstacles. Conversing with women saying "my wife lives in Far North Queensland" may be a little off putting. I know, I know. Just don't mention I'm separated. Well, you give me a good answer to "How long are you staying in Australia?" ..."Oh, how did you get Permanent Residency?". Keep in mind I am having trouble lying as of late. I'm kind of hoping my life life turns out like the movie 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'. Except I'd like to skip right to the end. Well, perhaps I'd still keep that sexual montage (minus the crying scene).

Next blog: how I got the finger from a topless woman
Future blog: Gold Coast lifestyle observations aka 'No Shoes, No Shirt = Service'


Live your dream,

 

Jimmy