Ya, I'm sure we've all heard it before. "Life's too short, just go for it." Well, often its just a line I shake my head at (in a way that says, yip) most of my life.
Don't get me wrong, I understand all to well that life is WAY too short. When my kids were born, 18 years seemed like forever. Now they're out of the house and having children of their own. When I was in school, getting out seemed like forever away. I can barely remember those times since they were so short.
The cruel part is that it works the other way around. All those occasions when I thought I was "in the best shape of my life." Now that time seems like a flash in the pan. I've been out of shape, more than in shape throughout my short life. It's almost like I've bounced around, with my body walking around Earth, and my brain vacationing on Saturn.
This week I found out that my sisters husband lost a second employee/friend to a fluke traffic accident. He was working late at his mothers home, decided to head home (5 miles away) for a change of clothing, and fell asleep at the wheel. His car flipped, his neck broke, and now he's gone. That quick.
While looking hard at your own life might seem silly 95% of the time, I say it's time to get a little silly, a little more often... "What Todd, someone dies and now you're looking at what life's all about?" PLEASE, but even if it was this single event, why not?
Now I have friends who say the most important thing in life is family. I more or less agree, however I think my children would get a little tired of me after 72 hours straight. My wife means more to me than anyone on this small planet, but if we spent every hour together, I think she would be looking for another planet.
Shall I dare say it? Why not. You're the most important person, to you. Vain, not a chance. I spend ever second with "me", and while at times I don't get along with myself, we're still together... Simply, give yourself a break.
How many times do you have that inner struggle. The fights with myself are the toughest battles I've even encountered.
(Inner Dialog) "Should I treat myself to that? Is it right if I waste this money on something just for "myself." How can I "spin" this into a group purchase so I feel better about it? If I bought one for my wife, then it's not "just" for me. If I vacation there, and bring my bike (somehow) I could send my wife to the spa, and get in a ride."
Break down your day. I sleep 6-8 hours away, work 10-12 hours, then try to fit everything else into the remaining time. I read somewhere that we spend something like 2 years in the bathroom in our lifetime. The odds are that if I was to die tomorrow, I will be either sleeping, or working. It just doesn't make sense to beat myself up over decisions that would make my life more complete.
Without retreating to far back, life is WAY to short. Too short to be listening to "myself" give me a hard time about anything. True, I have responsibilities. I'm not saying that I'm going to go crazy, just that I've decided to give myself a break. If I want that new bike, I'm going to buy it. New gear, the same. If I need a break from work, I'm going to take it. Even if it's just a shorter day to enjoy the Fall weather.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Can manufactures "Multi-Task"?
I know that with our company, nothing good can come of trying to be "everything", to "everyone" when it comes to the products we sell. Before you know it, you don't do anything outstanding. I see it all the time on the web. Companies trying to sell everything on the planet, thinking that's the only way to increase sales. I honestly don't get it. Guess who suffers? Well, you see him or her in the mirror each morning...
The same can be said about manufactures. Let me give you an example. Scorpion sprung on the market a few years ago with a helmet line. If you read or watch our online videos, we like their product. However, this year they decided to come out with an apparel line. To make a long story, somewhat shorter, one of the main guys who started the company used to design and sell apparel in his past. To him, it only made sense to go back to his roots.
Here's my issue. Can companies dive into other product lines, and still stay on top of their core products?
First, is the world really demanding yet another apparel line? Look around our site. There are a ton of manufactures pumping out everything from innovative products, to the same old, same old. If you have a need, there's 20 different models to choose from. 70% of them are great buys, and made to last. Competition isn't lacking when it comes to apparel. Each year manufacturer's battle it out for a share of the market, and ultimately we, the consumers, win.
Of course there are companies who do a little bit of everything, and seem to have a good idea on how to handle it. But honestly, most can't.
Now I understand that some companies think that if you, and I, love their apparel line, we'll carry that over to their helmet line. Joe Rocket did this last year. Icon more or less came out with both a helmet line and an apparel line at the same time 3 years ago. While their apparel line did well, the helmets they produced we very average. Couldn't all this extra effort be better used focusing on one or the other? Personally, I think so.
If Shoei, Arai, or Suomy decided to come out next year with a apparel line, my first reaction would be to say, "PLEASE, enough is enough." These guys know helmets. Why spoil and confuse their image in a weak effort to broaden market share. I say stick to what you know, and expand your customer service. If you're scoring 8 out of 10, shoot for the 9 next year. Perfect doesn't exist, so there's always room to improve. While a company might think they can handle it, there are times when you have to take a reality break.
By the way, I've had a chance to look over the new Scorpion apparel. It's nice, and it could be cool to own a jacket that matches your helmet graphic, but only time will tell how well it's received. In the mean time, I'll be keeping a close eye on their helmet inovations. I hope they make it work.
The same can be said about manufactures. Let me give you an example. Scorpion sprung on the market a few years ago with a helmet line. If you read or watch our online videos, we like their product. However, this year they decided to come out with an apparel line. To make a long story, somewhat shorter, one of the main guys who started the company used to design and sell apparel in his past. To him, it only made sense to go back to his roots.
Here's my issue. Can companies dive into other product lines, and still stay on top of their core products?
First, is the world really demanding yet another apparel line? Look around our site. There are a ton of manufactures pumping out everything from innovative products, to the same old, same old. If you have a need, there's 20 different models to choose from. 70% of them are great buys, and made to last. Competition isn't lacking when it comes to apparel. Each year manufacturer's battle it out for a share of the market, and ultimately we, the consumers, win.
Of course there are companies who do a little bit of everything, and seem to have a good idea on how to handle it. But honestly, most can't.
Now I understand that some companies think that if you, and I, love their apparel line, we'll carry that over to their helmet line. Joe Rocket did this last year. Icon more or less came out with both a helmet line and an apparel line at the same time 3 years ago. While their apparel line did well, the helmets they produced we very average. Couldn't all this extra effort be better used focusing on one or the other? Personally, I think so.
If Shoei, Arai, or Suomy decided to come out next year with a apparel line, my first reaction would be to say, "PLEASE, enough is enough." These guys know helmets. Why spoil and confuse their image in a weak effort to broaden market share. I say stick to what you know, and expand your customer service. If you're scoring 8 out of 10, shoot for the 9 next year. Perfect doesn't exist, so there's always room to improve. While a company might think they can handle it, there are times when you have to take a reality break.
By the way, I've had a chance to look over the new Scorpion apparel. It's nice, and it could be cool to own a jacket that matches your helmet graphic, but only time will tell how well it's received. In the mean time, I'll be keeping a close eye on their helmet inovations. I hope they make it work.
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