Archive for October 2008
Helping the Technically Challenged
I have been a technology man for over twenty years and it still amazes me how many people are afraid of computers. Worse yet are unable to learn about them because of fear, no time and so on. Whatever the excuse is, it will work is what I say.
I love to help people with there computers, I love seeing the lights turn on when they figure out they really can’t break anything that can’t be fixed! When they learn something new and they can keep on using the computer they spent so much money on. The fear of loss is a very powerful thing and it’s this very fear that many take advantage of in the computer industry.
I don’t run around looking for computers to fix, but I do look for people who want to learn about that box that scares them half to death. Helping others to understand that everything will be ok no matter what they do is my greatest joy. Really, if you lost all your data, would life end right there on the spot? Probably not, in fact you would find another way to get things done or you would just get the problem solved. It’s all attitude isn’t it?
I recently had a complete crash of my hard drive, I laughed and re-installed, loaded my data from a DVD backup I made and I was back to normal in a couple days. Thinking ahead, backing up your critical data and having legit (legal) software disks to re-load applications is what you need to have to recover quickly.
Having said that, most people don’t backup their information, e-mail, contacts and so on. Why? I don’t know, it seems logical that everyone would do it but they don’t. It boils down to, do they know how? many won’t ask for fear of looking stupid, how dumb do you look when the crash hits. I’m just say’in!
Live life in such a way that others will call you again and again. How you ask? Well, ask yourself one question, how many people are better off because you lived?
There it is, being involved in your community, your church, your neighbourhood, volunteer groups will find you opportunities to do just that.
You might say it’s the same as having a servant heart, willing to give rather than receive, to help rather than not. The golden rule comes to mind here.
Knowing how to solve a problem is gold, you can help so many. I happen to be a technology man who likes to help the technically challenged. What are you and how do you help others? I would love to hear what you do.
Until next time.
The USA Meltdown – What to do next?
If you are like me you’ve been following the financial crisis taking place in the United States, NOT THE AMERICA(S)! Don’t misunderstand me, the America(s) are not just the US of Amercia. I find it somewhat arrogant that the President and Americans at large feel that the area called the United States respresents all of the America’s and actually take ownership of the America(s). Yes the U.S. is the richest country in the world but they also have revealed their weakest link.
I watched a very interesting interview last night with Warren Buffet, he admits that he doesn’t pay enough taxes and that those making less than $20,000 per year pay the most on a per capita basis. Now here is a man I think should participate in finding a resolution to the financial crisis in the United States.
Now, I too have investments and I have to be honest, I’m watching like a hawk these days and I may even liquidate to ensure I have my money. The rest of the world needs to pay attention to this crisis because many if not all will see an impact. I live in canada and I can tell you we are most likely to be number two on the impact list.
Now I don’t have a crystal ball and I can’t even tell you what will happen next week but I do know ignorance is not a defence and we all must learn and figure out how to prepare or respond depending on your position financially. You may loose your job, you may loose your home and your car…ACK! Then what?
Well, take inventory, make a plan and work your plan. Something has to happen and nothing happens without a plan and finally action. Times like these is when the dark side of life shows up, many will take advanyage of those reaching out for help, misguided hope and goes down the wrong road because it sounds to good to be true.
I have started a number of small companies and have failed at many of them, the point is, do something until something works and make sure you understand your place in the market and that you indeed have customer’s that want what you are offering. There a million sources for plan development, businesses, franchises and so on, just find your place and what you feel you would be passionate about, that means you will see it through. Persistance is the glue.
I am in the same position as you may be in, I may be in a worse place, but I will do something and will not be a victim. This financial crisis will take a very long time to recover from and you get to participate in the confids of your home by doing more right things than wrong. It’s called life, it’s not always fair but you still have to participate.
What to do next? I hope to have some ideas here on what you may want to look at to change your financial situation but don’t expect me to have the answer to your problem. I’m merely looking just as you are.