Dave said to me, “I want to be THAT guy.” (he pointed to the man on the park bench, who was indeed enjoying life)

This started a discussion between the two of us. I began talking about how ‘THAT’ place, on ‘THAT’ park bench was something that I really believe (has to be earned) in order to truly appreciate it. To be able to enjoy the relaxation, the zero stress, nature, to be in one’s element, is an earned accolade. I believe to become ‘THAT’ man we have to know stress, we have to work through life, we have to know dedication, work, perseverance, we have to taste both defeat and victory.

You may ask, “Why?”

I believe that until you experience and taste life, you can’t appreciate nature, you can’t appreciate what it really means to ‘be in your element’, you can’t understand what it means to be stress free-You really can’t appreciate the park bench.

Too many kids need our help right now to postpone our good intentions. That’s the spirit XanGo has embraced since we opened our doors, and you can count on many more goodwill missions like this one in our bright future. The type of tender love shown by a mother as she cradles her child in her arms—a very common scene in the pre-op area. This love is best understood by the look both in the eyes of the parent and the child. One of love, hope, trust and gratitude. The love that they feel is the empowering emotion that allows these children to be brave in the unknown circumstances of an operation.

The experience was especially important to me because I was able to take my son with me on the trip. Even more significant was the fact that Cayden (my son)  prepared over 100 blankets to give to the kids here for his Eagle Scout Project for Boy Scouts of America. It was amazing to watch him give these blankets as a labor of love, to children and people so grateful and appreciative for the love and compassion from a complete stranger.

We were blessed to enter the operating room for several operations. What a miracle it is to see the transformation of a face. We were allowed to witness additional operations of burn victims as well. I saw a girl’s hand that was so distorted from a burn she could not open her fist. The surgeons were able to operate in such a way that her hands would open again, giving mobility where it hadn’t been at the start of this very day. Another child had a baseball-size tumor removed from her arm. Yet another had a nose and palate restructured by taking cartilage from the ear, and it was done with such precision that no one will ever be able to notice. Transformation is what these Operation Smile missions are all about: Starting the day off with a malformation and going to sleep with hope for a new life.

I’m blessed to work with professional network marketers everyday.  And I learn a lot from them on growing and advancing in the ranks of his amazing business.  Yet, sometimes, the best lessons of life fundamentals come from our children.

We learn the value of rank advancement at such a young age.  Think about it.

My boys are in the Boy Scouts of America.  Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the program and our son, Cayden, is going for it.  For his Eagle Scout project, last week Cayden arranged for church and community members to come together to assemble blankets to be delivered to children in an Operation Smile mission.

It was wonderful to watch him work.  He started out the project driven by the goal of the Eagle Scout rank.  Cayden faced challenges along the way.  He had to give up time with his friends to organize the project.  Some people of the people he invited didn’t call back.  Some couldn’t do it on the scheduled day.

As he put the blanket project together, he learned to leap over those hurdles.  He met a lot of new people.  He learned the value of getting a “yes,” and his reward came from the fruits of his labor…knowing he was making a difference and driving such worthwhile work.

As we all gathered to sew the blankets, I looked around the room and realized…my son brought all of these people together…he made it happen.  I scanned the room and found him moving person-to-person…introducing himself…saying thanks…making sure they had thread and materials.

In that moment, he advanced to the rank of a “young man” in my eyes.  I was proud and humbled.  He did this on his own personal drive.

There’s still a lot of work to do and Cayden seems thrilled by the challenge of it all.  I have the feeling that, on the day he gets his Eagle Scout rank, he’ll look back at his road to the rank and wish he could go back and do some parts again just to get the feeling and thrill of accomplishment along the way.  Then he’ll set his sights on his next  goal.

I think of all the people Cayden has touched along the way to reaching his initial goal…the people he reached out to be part of the project…his family and friends who watched him work and grow…his dad who had some trouble writing this post (there was something in my eyes a few times)  ?…the volunteers and organizers at Operation Smile…and all the children who will receive these wonderful blankets.

Think about this as you consider your own next rank advancement move.  You’re about to touch a lot of people along the way.  And I’ll bet, as good as reaching your goal is going to feel, the points of accomplishment along the way will feel even better.

Today my tips are all about getting maximum value out of your travel and purchases by joining and building points in frequent traveler, driver and visitor programs.

·     Travelers know that airlines have frequent flier programs but many don’t take enough advantage of the points offered by hotels, rental cars, restaurants and even online shopping sites.  Be sure to inquire about points before you book, ride, dine or shop.

·     Most rental cars and hotels offer points that can boost your flier status on the airline of your choice.  Some offer you the chance for double points: frequent flier “miles” plus credits with the hotel or rental car company.  Be sure to ask about points for both.  Remember, they want you to come back so be sure to get your incentives.

·     Airline frequent flier programs offer several paths to build points.  In addition to miles from booking flights, you can build points with most of these programs through regular consumer purchases like groceries and gas.  I get points every time I send flowers to my wife (yes, she knows and we use them for vacation!).  Major programs also offer credit cards to build points with all purchases. Be sure to check the program web site for preferred retailers, special offers and purchase codes.

·     Joining rental car programs can really help with a trip.  In addition to saving you the wait in line at the counter, you can find out about rates, upgrades and special offers.  Likewise with guest programs at major hotel chains. Join the programs and get room upgrades and even discounted rates when you check in late at night.

·     Manage your points properly and you’ll get value out of your purchases in addition to your travel.  If your business travel allows you to gain points for personal use, you’ll enjoy family and personal vacations at a discount.  And there’s something to be said about building familiarity with people and places even when you’re on the road.  After all, it’s nice to go to a place where everybody knows your name.

*Something also very helpful that I have found is to keep an extra set of toiletries and clothes at the office. This way after showering off in our company gym, I have all of my business attire, and can tackle the day feeling fresh and clean.

* Another idea to consider is to drive to work one day with your bike, bike home, and then bike back the next day to return with your vehicle