What Gets Measured Gets Done. Are You Measuring the Right Things?

If it is true, likely you know from experience that it is, that that which gets measured gets done, are you measuring the right things? Having the right metrics (measurements) is important and not taking the time to determine what those metrics ought to be is to ensure failure.

Whether in regards to your personal  or professional goals, the important things must be measured. In order to be physically fit I plan and measure various things such as my body fat percentage, number of calories and macro nutrients consumed each day, weight training progress, and my jogging habits. By measuring these things along with blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other markers of physical conditioning it enables me to know where I am at and to determine if I am on track for my various goals such as getting to single digit body fat levels, lowering my blood pressure, etc. Without measuring these items I would not know whether or not my fitness endeavors are paying off beyond what I could visibly see by looking into the mirror yet it would be unlikely that I would notice any changes without the purposeful planning in the first place.

The same is true for professional goals. If I do not measure what is important (increasing new item acceptance, creating successful promotional programs, etc.) then I will not be able to proactively grow our business and our company. We must also keep in mind that we ought to measure the right things, the things we can control or influence, and those which either maximize profits or maximize revenue (you can only do one of the two) and then develop a plan which includes regularly evaluating where we are at and adjusting the plan as needed.

For your business or personal pursuits are you measuring the right things?

All the best,

Bryan

2012 in Review.

Today, contrary to good sense, I jogged in the rain (it was a light rain but soaked shoes are not ideal jogging gear), and while doing so tried to recount all I am thankful for. Jogging is a great time to pray and talk, and hopefully listen, to The Lord.

I  am very thankful for the many blessings of The Lord and should they be withheld further in my life I would continue to be eternally thankful for His mercy, forgiveness, baptism in Jesus name, and infilling of the Holy Spirit (all else is secondary

to this). This year my health has greatly improved, The Lord provided a new job just in time to supply our needs due to various unexpected events that drained our emergency fund many times over, we have spent time with our family in meaningful ways, and have seen our son, Brendan, excel in academics while being the best possible big brother to Adelyn, and watch Addy grow, develop a significant vocabulary, and continue to see The Lord’s hand on our lives.

Hindsight is twenty-twenty yet while going through the valley or when we see only one set of footprints in the sand (choose your favorite analogy), it is less than that or at least has been for me. Looking back I can readily see The Lord’s handiwork, navigating in our lives working via our choices good and otherwise. It reminds me of His patience in that in-spite of my own poor choices He still provides for our needs, blesses us, and gives us a wonderful home life that is invaluable.

- Bryan

New Beginnings

Today, April 2, 2012, I begin a new journey with Himalaya Herbal Healthcare USA, as the National Sales Manager. Himalaya is an 80 year old company that tracks products from seed to shelf. This is an exciting time as I venture outside of my comfort zone at Natural Specialty Sales where I was Director of HBC – Whole Foods for the last few years.

What is exciting is that Himalaya (Facebook link) uses research to validate their products with their raw materials as opposed to using someone else’s research and not using the actual raw material in the research. This is not as common place as one would assume in the natural products industry. It is typically more so in products found in the mass market class of trade which is counter intuitive.

“Our Science. Your Life.” What a great mantra for our company. You don’t have to worry, the research is there and it benefits your life and lifestyle. It is something that I can feel good about each day as I work to introduce more people to this brand throughout the United States. I hope that you feel the same about the company you work for.

All the best,

Bryan

 

 

Super Naturally Better

Super Naturally Better is an appropriate title, perhaps the only reasonable one, since there is really no other explanation. About two years ago, during a very stressful time, eczema, which had not reared its ugly head since my early teens, returned with full vengeance. What once was a rash relegated to my ankles and behind my knees now displayed itself on my entire lower body and torso. It took me many monts before I headed to the doctor for help, I am a slow learner.

After about six months of itchy discomfort I made my way to Dr. Hall who in turn sent me to Dr. Dano, a dermatologist. After testing it was determined I indeed had eczema. I spent six months being sure my skin was well moisturized and praying that it would get better. It did not.

Back to Dr. Hall. He wanted to determine if the cause was internal. Off to Dr. Just. Dr. Just does interesting procedures like EGDs and Colonoscopies. I had both. Nothing on the inside causing issues on the outside, “Come back in twenty years.” says Dr. Just. Back to Dr. Dano.

Dr. Dano does a skin biopsy. Yes, eczema. Off for “light therapy” or tanning at Waterloo Tan because it was far less expensive ($20 a month opposed to $75 per session with Dr. Dano). Mid-summer of 2011 when my skin was about 50% better it changed. From red and itchy to dry, imagine dandruff head to toe, and my skin lost elasticity, think knees of a 95 year old man. If I were 95 it would be OK. I am not. It was not.

Back to Dr. Hall because my skin hurts, it is concerning, and I want another round of Prednisone. Dr. Hall sends me back to Dr. Dano. Dr. Dano and her team is concerned because of the changes in my skin and that I had lost about 30 pounds. I lost 30 pounds because I had been tracking my food intake and took up jogging, getting in 10 to 20 miles a week. Dr. Hall was thinking I was on the cancer diet. Nice. Cancer.

Get a CT scan. CT scan shows enlarged lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a sign of bad things. They may be enlarged because of my skin condition or I may have the skin condition because of my enlarged lymph nodes due to Lymphoma. There are more than 15 kinds of lymphoma. Call your wife, say “Dr. Hall is concerned I have Lymphoma” and Facebook status is updated, prayers go forth, life changes. I believe, I have faith. I was worried while having faith. Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

I see Dr. Lewis. Dr. Lewis removes the lymph node. The lymph node comes back OK. Dr. Lewis is concerned because of my skin, he’s only seen about four guys over twenty years who present like I do. Nice. Dr. Hall and Dr. Lewis do not want to say I am in the clear because, it is true, you could remove the wrong lymph node, assume no cancer and yet have it. Back to Dr. Dano.

Three more skin biopsies. Eczema. Dr. Hall is still concerned it is lymphoma. See Dr. Kocs. Dr. Kocs schedules a PET scan and another CT scan. Takes 6 vials of blood, tests for everything from HIV to Hepatitis C. HIV and Hepatitis C free. Just before Thanksgiving, appropriately so, Dr. Kocs says the PET scan shows no sign of any cancer. Praise God.

My skin is still so bad that changing clothes leaves behind enough dry skin to turn a red bath mat almost white. I itch. My skin hurts. Pin pricks up and down my legs. Scratching like a dog with a bad case of fleas. I left a trail of skin behind for the last 6 months everywhere I went. I wore long sleeve shirts all summer. It has been embarrassing.

One week after Thanksgiving 80% better. What was different? Not sure. God answered my prayers. 80% better is Awesome! I was not any new medicine nor new treatment. God answered our church’s and my prayers.

Off to Dr. Sander, a new dermatologist. Prednisone. Light therapy begins next week. I believe for the remaining 20% but give God thanks for where I am at now.

Lessons learned:

• God is with us in the rough times. I cannot say how much the prayers of folks at church meant to me. When we go through the valley, He is with us. His people are with us.
• It can get worse. It did. It does get better.
• Joshua said that he and his house would serve the Lord and I understand that in a special way because I decided that should it be cancer or should I not get better I will serve Him. His goodness is not negated by my circumstances. He is Good and worthy of praise regardless of my condition.

Life happens in the most unexpected ways. I do not think that God caused my situation but I can see good that has come from it. My brother-in-law, sister, and their family was here at Thanksgiving along with my brother Kendall, and his girlfriend. Had not seen Kendall and Lisa in four or five years. Matt and April had not been down as a family in at least as long. These were blessings that may not have happened if I had not been sick. Facing serious illness brings a family together in special ways.

The good far outweighs the bad. Some day, the good will be so good that the bad, regardless of how bad, will not matter. There will come a day that I never think upon these things again.

Super Naturally Better!

Bryan

Is Organic Elitist?

Anthony Bourdain and A. A. Gill: The Organic Debate presents an interesting take on organic farming. The speakers seem to think organic is an elitist ploy to tell farmers how to farm. They also feel that it creates highly processed food for the poor and good food for the wealthy.

My livelihood comes from this industry so naturally I am biased towards it yet the organic movement is not one designed to create good food for the elite and unhealthy for the poor or less productive. It is actually a movement that wants to provide healthier food for everyone.

It is also true that while fresh produce and lean meats are more expensive than highly processed foods found in the center of your supermarket, you can eat healthy with conventional produce. It is also true that you can go to Sprouts or Whole Foods Market and find high quality natural and organic products at very reasonable prices. The real question is “Will you choose to?”

While it may seem that only the elite or most productive members of society eat healthy it is wise to remember they are in the position they are in due to the choices they make just as those who are unhealthy and overweight are so by the choices they have made. Someone who chooses to eat healthy has not by default caused me to eat unhealthy because I am free to choose a healthy lifestyle.

You too are free to choose. What will your choice be?

All the best,

Bryan

 

Shopping Can Be Fun!

For years and often still, I prefer(ed) not to go shopping for clothes or just about anything else. Buying is OK but looking is generally purgatory and shopping for clothes has until recently reminded me that I have failed at attaining the goals I have been setting each year since I was 16.

Those goals are basically to get my body fat to a single digit along with a few other fitness related goals as well. I have not reached the final milestone for body fat, visible abdominal muscles but it is approaching. My new found joy of clothes shopping revolves around the pleasure of coming closer to attaining the goal. Finally, I had to buy new pants (unfortunately not because I have grown taller) because my previous pants were not too small but too BIG! It is tough enough finding a 30 or smaller inseam but far less fun looking for the stack of pants labeled “short and fat.” Now its nice to just look for the pants for short guys.

During my endeavor to Old Navy I managed to even impress my wife with my selection. It should not be hard to pick out a few pairs of Khaki pants and a shirt but for me it is typically difficult because a) it has reminded me of failure b) I have zero fashion sense and c) the synergy of the two is exponentially negative. Now, shopping is a pleasant experience because it reminds me I am making progress towards a worthwhile goal.

It has been years in the works because my jogging habit started over three years ago, when I could not complete one mile on a track without stopping and includes an eight month focus on nutrition with the help of MyFitnessPal tracking my nutrition each day. Altering my calories based on activity (necessitating being active) and choosing less processed lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits has made all the difference. Most importantly, my wife being supportive by ensuring we have good choices in the house, cooking healthy meals, and encouraging me along this journey.

Perhaps you already enjoy shopping but I can tell you, it is far more fun when it is equated with reaching positive milestones!

All the best,

Bryan

DHA—The Einstein of Supplements? Summer

DHA—The Einstein of Supplements?

Summer is almost over and it’s time to go back-to-school shopping: pencils, markers, rulers, notebooks, DHA. DH what? DHA, as in docosahexaenoic acid, fish oil, omega-3s, better grades, the brain booster. DHA may be kids golden ticket to better grades, more focused attention, better comprehension and more … or maybe not.

(read more here… http://ow.ly/5XhUh)