I will freely admit that I like to putter in the workshop. I build my own ATA cases for Game Shows To Go, partly because I can create custom cases at a fraction of the cost of having them built, but also because I have a nice workshop that I truly enjoy working in. However, if I take into account the cost of my time, taken away from my core areas of expertise - doing the things that only I can do - I probably lose money building those cases.

We've recently remodeled our kitchen. Got new granite countertops and then my wife wanted to redo the back splash tile. I'd never done anything like this before, but it looked like it would be an easy project to tackle. So I did.

15 hours later and I'm done. A full two days out of the office focusing on my core competencies to save $200-$500. Plus, while the job I did looks nice, I'm sure it's nowhere near as well done as what a professional could have done.

What I'm saying is this... we are ALL prone to try our hands at tasks outside of our areas of expertise. My advice (here for me as much as for you) is DON'T. Unless it's absolutely necessary then focus on what you do best and out source the rest.

This will be my mantra for the remainder of 2011. You have the right to call me out on it if you see me tweeting about doing something that would easily be out sourced.

Of course, I'll still work in the shop on cases and building magic props - but I'll do that because I truly enjoy doing it as much as because I can do it more cost effectively. It's my hobby - much like web design - I like solving the puzzles that go into it.

What is it that you're wasting time on in an attempt to either look busy - or to appear to save money?

Stop it. Or at least minimize it. I'm going to take a bit of my own advice on this.

Until next time.

C.J.

Don't get me wrong... I've been prepared with opportunity knocked, but the initial catalyst for all great things has been because of a personal relationship with someone.

That being said... what are YOU doing each and every day to foster relationships? A simple "like" on facebook, a birthday card, a thank you card, a short "I'm thinking of you" e-mail or a phone call. Do these because you enjoy people and want to have great relationships, not because you want something out of it, allow the benefits to happen organically.

Just a thought for the day.

There's a little reminder that shows up on the right hand side when it's someones birthday. I usually ignore it, unless it's someone who I'm close friends with, then I pick up the phone and call them personally and sing Happy Birthday. (a better present would probably be to NOT sing).

I've always thought it was impersonal. Today is my birthday. May 18th.

As of 11:00 a.m. I've gotten 125 people posted to my "wall" telling me Happy Birthday.

Every. Single. One. Of. Them. meant something to me. I really, truly appreciated the time they took to tell me Happy Birthday. People I'm good friends with, fans who I met at a show, family they all made me smile.

I'm rethinking about making sure that I give that little gift of recognition everytime I see the the reminder about whose birthday it is. At the very least, no one is going to be sad that I thought of them.

I have another story about being recognized from the stage that I'll share at another time. Let me just say, like the song says... Little Things Mean a Lot.

Thank you if you're one of the people who wished me Happy Birthday.

I'll keep it positive, fun and uplifting. Just like I do my shows.