Maggie's Musings

Intro to My Blog

Maggie Mowery — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:23:00 GMT

Going forward, you will see a weekly blog post about how to investigate, apply, and implement positive change in your life and business including highlights from Jack Canfield's Success Principles.

I'll also have a monthly post that is the article I've written for Maggie's Musings in the Corridor Business Journal. If you don't already read the Corridor Business Journal, I highly recommend it! It has articles that pertain to local, national, and international news of interest that are helpful not just for local businesses, but for everyone working and playing in the corridor region.

Follow along with me on my journey through 2012 and see the change you can make in your life!

Welcome 2012!

Maggie Mowery — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:18:00 GMT

I love this most wonderful time of the year as we mark the entry into 2012 and embark on possible changes in our work and lives which includes Maggie’s Musings! For the next year, I will write a weekly blog about my journey through 2012 along with Jack Canfield’s Success Principles. I muse about people, business and or events that I feel compelled to bring to the surface for a “shout out”. Musings you may read: Change is a subject I love and contemplate ways to incorporate into my life. A recent book, Switch, by Chip and Dan Heath talks about how to change things when change is hard. They site interesting data such as “you hear people say that change is hard because they are lazy or resistant, that’s just flat wrong…change is hard because people wear themselves out…what looks like laziness is often exhaustion.” Solutions from the book focus around common perceptions: find the bright spots, shrink the change, grow your people or rally the h ...

Gratitude for the Season

Maggie Mowery — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:15:00 GMT

December 2011 I am writing after returning from a 5 day retreat in San Diego with Jack Canfield’s “Breakthrough to Success - Advanced Training.” A small group (60) of participants from around the world gathered and performed various group exercises to be filled with more love, joy, peace and understanding. We participated in a 3 minute of gratitude exercise, answering the question “what are you grateful for?” quickly and repeatedly in rapid-fire succession. I consider myself a grateful person, but this activity pushed me to really think about everything for which I’m thankful. During the duration of my gratitude journey, I: Saw a cocktail napkin in the hotel store that said “live with your glass always half full.” Witnessed a woman with multiple sclerosis take a few steps unaided after having amazing energy treatments and being surrounded by an applauding group of encouraging people. Felt the love of Jack Canfield as he comforted ...

Make Thanksgiving Easier

Maggie Mowery — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:11:00 GMT

The strategic title of a magazine I read while waiting for an appointment. Is it possible? I’m not sure, but maybe if you celebrate the small stuff…as you have heard before, and then look at the glass half full instead of half empty. I know, I know an overused expression of words but worth saying again! A book written over 10 years ago, The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell, gives us information on how the little things can make a big difference. Mr. Gladwell states “When it comes to the task of understanding ourselves and our world, I think we pay too much attention to those grand themes and too little to the particulars of those fleeting moments.” If we could make a significant difference in someone’s day by stating a few sincere words, wouldn’t that be worth it? Recently as I was renewing our vehicle licenses at the Johnson County Administrative Offices, waiting (not so patiently) in line for my turn, I was greeted by the most pleasant of employees. Meliss ...

New News or Old News?

Maggie Mowery — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:08:00 GMT

Some news days are better than others, but one day, I just could not stop shaking my head after reading the news! Yes, I know, by the time you read this column my comments will be old news but let’s see if I can work them into new news or maybe some encouraging business thought. The Iowa Legislature will either be shut down or have reached consensus by now. What can we learn from this tenacious budget battle? Patience? Understanding? Kindness? Some words such as this may not enter the minds of many, but still important all the same. Congressman Weiner confesses to lewd internet behavior. What can we learn from yet another fallen political soul? Whatever happened to common sense, modesty, humility, and honor? I know those words still apply, but they sure do get lost at times. In Turkey, you can be sued or imprisoned for booing or writing bad songs about political dignitaries. Is this where we say, “Thank God for the USA?" Makes you want to buy American made doesn’t ...

Fall Musing

Maggie Mowery — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:04:00 GMT

It is so fun to muse. It leads me in many directions. I awakened this morning thinking about entrepreneurial people (wind turbines too!). As I write, I am at a private cottage in upper Wisconsin after purchasing a week’s stay at the Shelter House Gala last spring. The fire is flickering and the rain is falling, but life is good, slow and being enjoyed at a different pace which gives cause to think differently, so please allow room for musing. Living their lives with intention and entrepreneurial ventures are Jai and Kip Westgard of Iowa City. Separate in business but together in marriage and parenting, their journey provides seamless lives connecting with their business. Jai Westgard, an Intuitive Counselor (http://www.symbolicstonejourney.comwww.symbolicstonejourney.com), leads meditations at the Conscious Living Center (http://www.consciouslivingcenter.com). “Guided meditation is one way to connect and listen to our inner wisdom while expanding our capacity for healing, forgivenes ...

This is It

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:58:00 GMT

I’m Bad, not really, but it was no Thriller either. Can you tell I watched the Michael Jackson(MJ) memorial show? The positive from not feeling well is that I had all sorts of time to ponder now to heal the world and try to make it a better place. It really has everything to do with you and me and the entire human race so let’s make a little space to make a better place. MJ had a strong message in many of his songs about people and the earth’s problems. But I am always about solutions and at a time when the City of Iowa is now saving $1000 a month by switching to LED lights in a downtown parking ramp, What About Us? How can we all jump in and do something to benefit the Iowa, the Corridor, our business, and our lives! If we can look at the (wo)man in the mirror and see where to start… School’s open, football’s back, life’s good! From the September issue of Natural Health an article appears about “10 ways to go natural” and number two is ...

Lessons from Leo

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:54:00 GMT

Life gives us joys and challenges and we all have a choice in how to proceed through both. Let me give you some of my lessons learned through living with a stubborn headed half mastiff half bulldog puppy that came into our lives after a terrible tragedy last summer. Leonardo turns 1 on August 5, 2011 so here is what I can tell you so far: Don’t judge a book by its cover. Okay…not new, but new for me when looking at Leo’s scary jowls, mouth and eyes, it would be easy to be intimidated which I was in the beginning. Now I understand the special uniqueness of a “bully breed” as they are called, which I NEVER would have entertained had I not been through this experience. So, what’s in it for you? Maybe that during a family gathering or meeting a child’s friend, or training new employees look beyond what you see to find the extra special person on the other side of that superficial judgment. It pays to use the brain and not brawn. With 110 pounds and growin ...

Technology Surprises

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:50:00 GMT

While training at a conference in Marianna, Florida, I found a small, local, organic sandwich shop where I could eat and spend downtime between workshop offerings. I would check email and do some writing while sitting and eating. They learned my name and knew what I was doing in town. To my surprise as I bought a sandwich to eat in the car on the drive to Tampa, one of the owners pulled me aside as asked me what I was doing walking around and writing things down on something. I assured her I was NOT lurking around, stealing business. I showed her my Blackberry and how it could take pictures and check email. I am so accustomed to working in a coffee shop or restaurant I never imagined someone would question my motives and not know about modern technology! What a surprise! I purchased the May issue of Fast Company in the airport to read on the way home. In “Big Bang Design” by John Maeda, author of Redesigning Leadership and President of the Rhode Island School of Design, wrote about what &ld ...

I Just Don't Get It

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:47:00 GMT

Isn’t great customer service one of the most, if not the most important, concern for business? Isn’t it a simple low cost process? I’ve written about it before, customer service can make or break your business. I have two recent Corridor examples. One is a great example of positive customer service and the other falls a little flat. Last week, I went to a store’s open house with product and service sales. It was well advertised and enticing enough to make me want to go for the good deals on products I need and use. The deal was “buy three different products, get a service free”. I asked if I could substitute one product and pay any difference required. The manager said she thought it was possible, but when she checked, the bookkeeper stated no because it would throw off their inventory. This is a local store, I am a good customer and I was so shocked that they did not attempt to create a purchase. I can easily go to another Corridor business offering the same product ...

Musing and Changing

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:40:00 GMT

I love to muse, perfect title for the CBJ column. Most of the time people cannot tell that I am musing about change but it makes me happy! Nothing that is can pause or stay; The moon will wax, the moon will wane, The mist and cloud will turn to rain, The rain to mist and cloud again, Tomorrow be today. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Ah, don’t these classic words lead you to musing about change. There are many healthy aspects of musing, so give some consideration to stopping and changing your perspective on work and life. Musing can take many forms and is very much up to the individual. Here’s what I see as I write sitting in Capanna Coffee right now: Three young twenty-somethings are having an engaging conversation. Two are on cell phone devices, one is writing a paper. All three are contributing to the conversation. A middle-aged man is eating lunch while reading a book and holding a cell phone. Thirteen people are in my field of view. Ten of us are working o ...

The Ups and Downs

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:36:00 GMT

We all have struggles from day to day, but that is the life journey of which we all know. Whether it is our business, our families, or our selves, the struggles are real. A good friend sent the poem, “The Guest House,” by 13th Century Persian poet, Rumi. I believe there are some current lessons to be reminded of within these words. This being human is a guest house Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. Making a quick transition to the 21st Century book, Strengths Based Selling, authors Rutigliano and Brim offer seven p ...

Leo

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:32:00 GMT

Change is in the air, fall is upon us, the clocks have moved back, the Hawks are winning, Maggie and Glen have a new puppy, Thanksgiving is approaching, bed bugs have returned, the elections are over, the economy is hmmm…did you catch the most significant change for me? PUPPY! Leo, born on August 8 to an American Bulldog Mom and a Neapolitan Mastiff Dad came to live with us at 10 weeks of age weighing 25 pounds. Bigger changes are sure to come (pun intended). So as Leo is learning to become nested in our home I want you to consider something more significant about the “nesting” terminology. Chuck Peters, CEO of Source Media, used the phrase “nested natural economy” during his brief speech at the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting where he assumed the role of Board President for the upcoming year. Chuck has been active in promoting the Corridor as a brand for over a decade, and I wholeheartedly agree. His visionary words resonated with me as I see the ...

Change and Thrive

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:27:00 GMT

I was viewing the cover of an old magazine (you know, the ones that pile up and you need to recycle!) I see statements like: “Cure Yourself…Always Look Younger…Better Body Foods…Outsmart Your Doc….Shrink Your Belly”. Everyone wants us to change, we want to change everything at times, we want to change everybody too! Ahhh….when will it STOP?! Well I am here to tell you it won’t. Profound statement…no. Simply a fact of life…yes. Oh, but you already knew that didn’t you! Alan Deutschman writer for magazines such as Fotune, GQ, and most recently Fast Company wrote a book in 2006 called Change or Die and he states: “…when you realize that change depends on relationships, then you can seek a ‘change agent’ much as you do any other important, emotionally charged relationship with a person or community, whether it is seeking a partner or spouse or joining a church or spiritual group, or hiring colleagu ...

Go Red!

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:23:00 GMT

Go Red – Meaning I am excited for the Nebraska Cornhuskers to join the Big Ten? Go Red – Meaning the color of my face as we work on training Leo who is an EXTREMELY stubborn puppy. Just think about “Marley and Me”…get the picture! Go Red – Meaning it is time to dig out my Santa collection and get ready for Christmas? Nope, what I mean is I just attended the Go Red for Women event at the Marriott on November 12 and learned a few interesting facts: While there has been a significant decrease in heart-related death for men over the past decade, the same doesn’t hold true for women. A Free online heart disease risk assessment is available at the National Heart, Lung Blood Institute site, http://www.nhlbi.nih.govwww.nhlbi.nih.gov. Search Framingham Point Score and you can do a quick look at your risk factors. Go Red for Women Month will be celebrated when the Iowa women’s basketball team takes on Penn State on February 6. It ...

My Little Town

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:20:00 GMT

As you may guess from the title, I grew up in the small northwest Iowa town of Paullina, but I never knew it was small. My parents did a great job of showing me the world, the World Book Encyclopedias were always close at hand and we traveled from coast to coast in summers visiting historical places. I continue to be grateful for growing up in the middle of agriculture-rich Iowa and I will be forever grateful to my parents for never letting me think small. So I was drawn to the blessings of living in Eastern Iowa and the richness of all the towns nearby. Do you remember the Simon and Garfunkel song? In my little town I grew up believing God keeps his eye on us all And he used to lean upon me As I pledged allegiance to the wall Lord I recall My little town I’d forgotten the words but when I looked them up they made me smile! I believe some folks may not think about small towns, but I know there’s a place and significance to each of them. The towns that have succeeded through tough economic timse ...

Serendipity, Synchronicity and Surprise

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:17:00 GMT

Many thanks are extended to you who reached out to me as a result of losing my canine friend, Toby. The tears shed by others were actually a comfort to me, which was surprising. Transitioning from one place to another as I contemplated this month’s column, something else surprising happened. I planned to highlight two local women entrepreneurs who grew to national proportions. Bagolitas and Accentz Jewelry provide career opportunities to women give back to the community and fit right into the Buy Here campaign. Then I thought…the Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF), which is planning its Sweet 16 birthday celebration on August 12 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm in The Kirkwood Room would be a nice complement. So I venture to www.iawf.org and where both Bagolitas and Accentz are featured! Some call it serendipity, defined as an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. Some call it synchronicity, which is the coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related. Others say it ...

Toby and Me

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:08:00 GMT

Summer 2010 Life can be hard, business can be hard and sometimes life and business are so intertwined that both are hard. Floods, oil spills, tough economics or loss can affect our lives and businesses. I am in one of those times right now, because I just lost my two-year old Goldendoodle, Toby, suddenly while doing something he loved. Those who know me, know my relationship with my dog was strong and a part of my identity. Toby was going to be on my web site, he went to Bella Vita Chiropractic, Natures Way Cleaners, Ace Hardware on Dodge, almost everywhere with me. He and I could count on each other for smiles and compliments. But this also is an opportunity to shine light on what is right, a theme from the book, How Full is Your Bucket by Tom Rath. During this tragedy, an anonymous fisherman called the Coralville police and fire departments as he saw me screaming to Toby after he dove in the rushing Iowa River to chase ducks. Before I knew it, Officer Doug Roling was comforting me and assisting in the se ...

Maggie's Musing June 2010

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:04:00 GMT

June 2010 Last month I said I would offer some insight to Corridor influencers you may not know. If you don’t know her, let me introduce you to Niki Neems, the woman business owner of RSVP, a unique card, gift and stationery shop in Iowa City. Just like this column has received an update, so did Niki as she moved into a new space in June 2007 at 140 N. Linn Street. Like many business owners, she endured through the effects of the flood of 2008 and the downturned economic climate and she is going strong! She assisted in creating the most elegant handmade wedding invitations and announcements for me over five years ago. I had fallen in love with her store since its beginning and with this new column for the Corridor Business Journal; I thought that Niki and her story would make a great start. I contacted Niki to ask if she would write a few words to let us know about her and here is what she said: "I’m telling you a story to let myself think about it…" from the poem “Than I ...

Customer Service Can Make or Break Your Business

Maggie Mowery — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:59:00 GMT

January 22, 2009In early January, I left my home (trying to get ahead of a snow storm) to drive to northwest Iowa to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday. As I traveled north on I-380, I noticed a loud sound in my car’s exhaust system. With a couple of calls, I located a company who could look at my car immediately - Meineke Car Service in Cedar Rapids. Andy greeted me, promptly put my car on the hoist, and then delivered the bad news. I needed an entirely new exhaust system, and they did not have the part in stock. When I explained my plight, Andy drove to pick up the part for my car while owner Mike had his staff prepare my car for the work to be done. While I waited, I had the chance to read some very positive notes from other customers hanging on their wall. Long story short, Andy and Mike completed the work within 45 minutes (they estimated 2 hours!), and I was on my way. The customer service, the work, the atmosphere, and the courtesy shown all made my expensive emergency purchase a pleasant one.Why do I ...