Ski and Golf on the same day

It's that rare time in Utah, one that only happens for a few weeks out of the year. The mountains, still covered in snow, (though a thinner coat than I would prefer) makes for great skiing. The snow is soft and if you can get into the trees you'll find fresh powder even days after a storm. The weather is warm enough that the snow will be soft and not icy, and many of the runs will be groomed in time for your arrival. 

Down in the valley the afternoons get as warm as the low 60s, and people are dusting off their T-shirts and digging out picnic blankets. The golf courses are opening up for the first time in months, and while their grass is brown and firm, its still usable. Golf carts grace the entryways like welcoming old friends,  and the driving range looks out across a fantastic landscape of sunshine and snow. 

There are two sports that I absolutely love, one I am great at the other I'm still working on.  It's rare, however, that I could do both in the same day, but for a few weeks here in March I will have the opportunity to do exactly that. Ideally I will get up early and hit first tracks at Sundance, the lowest of our Utah ski resorts, made famous by Robert Redford and his Sundance Film Festival every year. After several runs I could head down into the valley to thaw out and don my golf cleats for nine holes in the afternoon. Looking up at the majestic mountains behind me I will remember the tracks I laid in the morning as I tee off and try to shave some strokes off my game before the springtime hits. 

Unfortunately, there is a lot of work to do this time of year as well so rather than enjoying these two fantastic sports simultaneously I will most likely be at my desk, creating new marketing material and revising our existing content. Don't feel too bad for me though, I love what I do and I am sure I will make time to hit a bucket of balls during lunch and, if I'm lucky, take off early for a run or two in the afternoon…

Understanding the basics of social media

If you're like me you manage not only your own personal social media accounts but those of the company you work for. Anyone who takes social media seriously knows how challenging it can be to balance both of these items and keep them exciting and engaging. 

Here's for helpful tips for making sure you are effective in your social media program:

1- Establish your identity

you can't be effective at social media if you don't know who you are. Establish a strong identity early on that will help guide you in everything you do.  If you are representing a company, have a solid understanding of the brand and The company mission. If you are just posting for yourself, be sure to have a good understanding of who you want to be in the social media landscape. This will help guide the content you post, the comments you make, and what you are willing to share. Remember that your identity will change over time, solidifying and forming as you create, post, share, and comment. 

2- Content is king

You can't expect to create a profile and have people follow you without giving them something to look at read or share. The phrase "content is King" is used a lot in social media, and refers to how important it is to have something great to say. Maybe you want to have a blog where you can editorialize your opinion. Perhaps you want to share your images on Instagram, or create videos for YouTube. If you create interesting content people will want to read it, comment on it, and best of all, share it!  

3- Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each social channel. 

Every social media channel is different, and allows you to express yourself in a different way. Here are some basic guidelines for most of the major ones:

Facebook

Pros: almost everyone you know, even your babysitter from when you were too, is on Facebook.  It's very versatile and you can post pictures, videos, text, almost anything. 

Cons: depending on the size of your friends list, you may have dozens (if not hundreds) of new posts appearing throughout the day. Facebook is also a closed network, limited by the fact that you have to be "friends" or "like the page" in order to see the updates. 

Twitter

Pros: Great spot for finding out what's happening right now. If it's important, people are tweeting about it. If it's interesting, people are sharing it. And if it's popular, it's probably trending. Getting on the forefront of a trend can really help launch your influence. 

Cons: you have to looking at your feed all the time in order to be successful. You can also kill your following with over posting or making inappropriate comments

Instagram

Pros: The filters and options for photos can make almost anyone look like a professional photographer. It's one of the hotter social media channels right now so having a good following can really help your influence. 

Cons: almost exclusively photo based, it's difficult to share non-photographic content. When you create a post and share to Facebook, twitter, and other channels they often cannot see the content you make and have to open a web browser to see your Instagram page. 

Flickr

Pros: amazing spot for photos, lots of storage space, and lots of customization and tagging. 

Cons: uses a slightly different user experience so it might take a little bit of time to learn it and get good. 

YouTube 

Pros: Best place to find videos on the web. Easy to share, easy to customize, as well as embed in your website with simple, customizable embed code. 

Cons: not everyone has video content, or the means to make great video content. For every good video there is at least thousand awful ones, so sifting through hundreds and hundreds of videos to find that gem can be time-consuming. 

LinkedIn

Pros: The best place for business level social networking. Looking for a job? LinkedIn is where you can find it. Want to share what your company is up to? Let other companies know what you're doing by posting an update. 

Cons: almost strictly business related, people rarely use it for personal posting

Pinterest

Pros: Best place for crafty do-it-yourselfers looking for ideas. Image-based, so looking for things is very simple, and the search function is very good. When you find something you like you can commit to one of your own boards and create a following. 

Cons: A lot of re-pins means you may be looking through the same 50 pictures over and over again. People may re-pin your posts but never follow you or even make comments. 

gigg

Pros: ability to add music clips to photos, videos, and slideshows. Search through the music database to find the perfect song to add to your social media post. You can also post directly to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Cons: No free text, required to express yourself using only music lyrics. 

5- Focus on interaction. 

Once you've decided which social networks you want to participate in, spend your time interacting with other users. Make comments, reply to posts, and try to start up conversations. Be genuine in your comments, anything more than that is transparent and will not gain a response. Humor is key, as well as positivity, though a strong negative opinion can garner a lot of attention as well. As you focus on interacting with others they will have a desire to follow you, and through this slow, careful seeding process you will create a "following" that is loyal to your brand or your personality. Be careful that you do not use your social media as an advertising platform, but more a way to express yourself to like-minded people. This doesn't mean that your interactions can't be recommendations of products or services, but those interactions need to be genuine, positioned the same as you would with a good friend or neighbor

6- The unwritten rule of reciprocity

When you like someone's post they are more likely to return the favor when you create a post of your own. If you make a comment, they are not only more likely to "like your post" but are more likely to reply. The more you interact with people the more they will feel obligated to interact with you. This unwritten rule is the same in person-to-person relationships, improving your social network is the same as creating a bunch of friends in real life. Be friendly, be a leader, and give more than you expect to take. 

Marvel + Me = Love

I have always loved marvel. From the time I was a kid reading Spider-Man comic books to this new generation of marvel movies, the stories are exciting and the tales amazing. 

I recently did a marvel movie marathon, watching every marvel movie in chronological order. I was able to finish 1-2 each day, and while some of them haven't done well at the box office, there isn't a single one I didn't enjoy. Here's my personal list of favorites and why:

#5 X-Men First Class

I loved all the x-men movies, but this one was particularly good. Acting was fantastic, storyline interesting, but it has arguably the best movie score of any marvel movie. Henry Jackman did a phenomenal job making memorable themes for the movie, and I find myself listening to it on a regular basis. 

#4 Captain America

That Steve Rogers is one stand up guy... Literally. He keeps standing up even when people are whuppin his butt. I totally admire that about him. I don't know that I would have that kind of resolve, but I would like to think so. His character is fantastic, even if he shares his alter ego with the human torch from the fantastic four. Best line: "Waiting for the right partner." 

#3 Avengers

A bunch of super hero movies packed into one?  Yes please. The only problem with the avengers is how long I have to wait for the sequel. Well that and the fact that Thor's suit is a little wimpier, but I imagine they had to do that to "even the score" a little. Best moment: Loki getting his trash kicked by Hulk. I still laugh when I think about it. 

#2 Iron Man

Robert Downy Jr made this movie absolutely amazing. It's not just the amazing armor, fantastic sound effects and killer movie score, but his clever wit is either writing genius or the most clever improv by a master comedian. His delivery is spot on and I can watch it over and over and over and never get sick of it. "That's how dad did it, that's how America does it..." Classic. 

#1 Thor 

This actually surprised me, because growing up I never really read Thor comics. Sure there was the occasional guest appearance and I picked up a few issues from friends, but I never actually owned a Thor comic personally. The movie, however, was a different experience. From the first moment in the theater I felt the power. The sound of the metal, the strength of his character, and of course, Chris Hemsworth's portrayal of the God of Thunder. He's humble yet serious, powerful yet kind. He's the kind of man I want to be.  My favorite moment is when he is hit by the destroyer and gives his life for the people of earth, becoming worthy of his hammer and returning to his glory. Unlike other hero's when they "come into their own" he doesn't flaunt it, but quietly handles business. Gotta respect that. 

Homemade snow cones and quality time

"Dad, I want to do something fun" my five-year-old says as I walk in the door. My wife was on her way to scouts with my 8-year-old son and the other two girls were sleeping. I scooped her up and gave her a huge hug, feeling that soft long brown hair tickle my cheeks as she nuzzled into me. I've always been a sucker for my daughters, probably because of the massive amount of affection they give me on a daily basis. As I put her down and look into her big blue eyes I ask her "what would you like to do?" Being a typical five-year-old she is of course obsessed with candy, and she looks up at me with a greedy grin and says "let's go get ice cream!" I smile, because I should've anticipated this response in the first place. "We can't go anywhere, Katie and Lola are still sleeping. We wouldn't want to leave them all alone would we?" 

Her face screws up in a look of five-year-old concentration.   I can see that she's trying to concoct some way to get what she wants without leaving the house. I head her off at the pass: "it snowed last night, do you want to make some snow ice cream?" Her eyes illuminate as though it was Christmas morning. "How do we do that?" She asks giggling and jumping up-and-down. "I don't know," I reply, pulling out my phone. "But we can look it up" 

After googling "how to make snow ice cream" we paw through a few of the sites on the web looking for an easy recipe that contains ingredients we already have in the house. They all seem to have one thing in common: get a big bowl full of snow. 

Out to the backyard I went with a ladle and a large green plastic mixing bowl. Carefully scooping the freshly fallen snow off the top of the previous snowfall I loaded the bowl to it's brim and brought it back inside. Ellie could hardly contain her excitement. "can I mix it? She asked, holding up a large wooden spoon she somehow it been able to locate in the kitchen. 

The first batch was awful, and we tossed  into the sink, laughing as we watched the flakes melt down the drain. I sent Ellie outside with the bowl and spoon to get a second batch, and this time we abandoned our ice cream idea and went for more of a "Snowcone" concept. Mixing a few spoonfuls of sugar and a packet of Kool-Aid mix we yielded a bright yellow powder that tasted simply fantastic. Packing it into plastic cups we feasted on it with spoons and laughed as our tongues turned orange. 

As I smiled at this beautiful little girl across the room from me I realized I would do almost anything to make her happy, and I knew we would both remember this moment for years to come. It wasn't about what we made, it was the process of making it together. A parent, working with their child to have fun and enjoy a rare moment together. That's what being a dad is all about. 

Innovation in the everyday workplace

I have worked for all sorts of companies both big and small.  They all have their various mantras and themes, branding guidelines and philosophies. Some have a clear direction on what they want to accomplish in the world, others are trying to figure out what people want and cater to those needs to improve sales and expanded their reach.  

All employees, whether the owner of the business or the low level staff can create opportunities to improve. It's not necessarily required to have an environment of innovation in order to be creative. 

When I was in college I worked for Deer Valley ski resort. It was a college students dream job, with a decent wage, free skiing, and an opportunity to play in the snow almost every day. Dear Valley had very strict guidelines on appearance and process, but that didn't mean I was stuck doing what everyone else did. Opportunities to innovate were everywhere, from the way we carved the snow for the ramps leading up to the ski lifts, to the comments we made two customers as they came through. Striving to complete my job with perfection, I was noticed by my superiors and given more responsibilities. Additionally, I was given opportunities to work in the ski school teaching young children how to ski. While there were again, processes and policies that guided our daily tasks, there was also the opportunity in a date, like making little snowmen to ski around rather than just using the orange cones, or coming up with creative games to get kids more excited about learning. 

Years later I was in a position to create a training program for my company. With years of instructional design experience I knew that I could simply create a training manual that looked good and I would be considered a hero. Instead, I focus on emerging technologies, creating a video library of supplemental training that enhanced one's experience with the paper manual. Deploying this on mobile devices (including the iPad as it emerged into the market,) gave us a strategic edge that helped our company improve dramatically.  The ripple effects of those decisions have been improving my life ever since. 

I could've stuck with the status quo, I could've just made a manual and received the requisite praise, but my choice to find ways to improve the work I do continually pays off. 

Every has an opportunity to innovate. You don't have to be in a leadership position in order to find new ways to add value and stand out in the crowd.  Some of you might think "my boss never listens to my ideas" or "our company is so backwards that I never get a chance to be creative" but in making that statement at all you are closing your self to the opportunity for excitement in the workplace.  Look around, they're always small things you can do to innovate. Perhaps they are things that only affect you, perhaps they are almost invisible to your coworkers.  Remember, even if you aren't recognized for your efforts, being creative will still bring a level of job satisfaction that will help you enjoy getting to work everyday. 

My wife lets me kiss three different girls every day

I kiss at least four girls every day and I've been happily married for over a decade.

My wife and I have been happily married since 2002. She's an amazing woman and grows more beautiful every day. She just celebrated her 33rd birthday and we had a wonderful time with family and friends watching the Super Bowl. 

After the party we sat and reminisced over the past few years we've spent together, and I made the offhanded comment that "I kiss at least four girls every day."  She laughed at me and clarified "you get mauled by three girls every day," referring to our three daughters who suffer from dad obsession. I don't have a problem with this, they are all three adorable and shower me with hugs and kisses and snuggles. 

Being a dad is fantastic and I love how my children wants nothing more than to spend time with me. We snuggle and laugh, play games, and eat snacks. They look forward to going to church with us, and get very excited for our Monday night family home evening. There's almost nothing I love more than a "family movie night" where we throw down a bunch of blankets and pillows eat our dinner in front of a movie together.

They are all still young, our oldest is eight, but they are growing too fast in my opinion and I struggle to keep up with the proper way to be a parent. Each of them has different needs, and as a dad I worry about being the best example I can. I worry about the seeds I am planting now that will grow in their teenage years and it don't what. I want them to be better than I am, better than my wife is, and more than anything else to be part of her eternal family forever.  

It's not easy, but I figure one of the best ways to help ensure they develop properly is to give them lots and lots of affection, so I kiss four girls every day, (and one boy,) and hopefully that will make all the difference!

An apostle of The Lord

Jan 26th, 2014, 4:15pm Manila Stake Center, north of the Mt. Timpanogas Temple

We got here early and we were too late.  A full 45 minutes before the planned start time we found ourselves craning our necks in the back row, hundreds of people in front of us.  Temple workers have a natural aura about them, they inherently know to be quiet.  A room 1/4 of this size would have been heard from the sidewalk, a proven fact every time I walk into sacrament meeting each Sunday, yet almost 1000 people sit in near silence as we anticipate the arrival of one of the Lord's anointed.  

I have my own opinion about Jeffrey R Holland, one I am sure many others share.  He is young, vibrant, and opinionated, and he's not afraid to stand up for what he knows to be true.  He's not overbearing though, and has a way of being blunt without being offensive.  In today's world of social media overshare he fits right in, courageous in his testimony and demanding in his pleas to us. I personally see him being increasingly influential in the leadership of the church, and should The Lord call him, he would make a powerful prophet not unlike Gordon B Hinkley.  

So here we are, snacking on leftover pretzels and M&M candy, staring at the low resolution image cast by the projector mounted to a tripod near the half court line.  Looking forward to his arrival and the spirit we'll feel. 

4:45pm.  

People are standing up randomly.  We're not sure if they can see something we can't or if they simply want to let the bold flow back into their numb-bums, but it's interesting to see them standing, waiting in silence.  My beautiful wife keeps pulling snacks out of her purse, a perfect way for the two of us to pass the time as we wait for the meeting to start.  I can't quite feel my behind, maybe I should stand too...

4:57pm

A soft buzz accompanied by the standing of those who weren't already let me know that he had arrived.  True to the style of the temple, we sat in silence, the organ softly playing "Beatiful Savior" to let the spirit soak into our hearts and set the tone of the meeting.  The silence is fantastic and as president Cole stands his soft voice echos across the PA system, opening the meeting with small announcements and the traditional nods to leadership and those providing the music.  

5:01pm

The group sings "Come Follow Me" and the blend is more wonderful than any choir I have heard, full of humility and silent power.  This group is truly some of the Lord's elect, trained in his holy house to serve the community and bring to pass his purposes here in these latter days.  The spirit touches my heart as we sing "...but when we're free from present cares..." and I reflect on the struggles that so many work to overcome and how one day we'll find rest in His arms.  

5:08pm 

David Osmond stands to sing a rendition of "oh Come All Ye Faithful," a stirring rendition that has hints of holiday but a strong reverent tone that solidifies the knowledge that this song is more than a mere carol.  His delivery is soulful and powerful, and the accompaniment is no less praiseworthy.  

5:12pm

President Reynolds stands to introduce Elder Holland, and his voice is as familiar to me as any general authority.  He makes a few jokes and the audience smiles and laughs quietly and reverently. He reads off an impressive list of Elder Holland's accomplishments, and between talking points he shares his own personal stories of a long time relationship.  

5:17pm 

Elder Holland has finally taken the stand and seeing him in such a casual setting, a stake center pulpit rather than the podium of the conference center.  He makes a few jokes to lighten the mood and the crowd laughs jovially before settling down to his humble storytelling.  

"A written text is safer" he tells us, revealing that he plans to "talk to us" instead. He specifically tells us that he would prefer that we were within the walls of the temple, where we could speak frankly.  He requests our discretion and asks us not to record his words tonight, to keep his comments sacred.  "Think of the lessons we learn within the temple" he said, and called us to reflect on the instruction we are given as we receive our endowment.  He recounts blessings tied to our free agency, and expunds on how that gift is one of the greatest we have been given in this life.  It truly is, and the more I personally learn about this life and the one to come the more glorious that principle becomes in my mind.  We are limited in our discussion by the sacredness of the topic, and his request not to record it limits me even more, but his testimony is strong and his witness is pure, solidified by the spirit that entered our hearts as he spoke.  You can hear his love for the Savior in his voice, and it's an example for me on how I might live my life now, changing myself to be ever closer to He who sacrificed all that I might return once again to the house of my father.  

I know that our Savior loves us, that he is a real person who takes an active role in the lives of those who let Him in.  I am grateful for his servants on my behalf, and especially for the temple, the wonderful holy edifice that stands so close to my home, testifying in its majesty that God has an everlasting love for us and will exalt us on high when we keep his commandments and make those sacred covenants with Him.  "Welcome to the temple" Elder Holland closes, exhorting us once more to keep ourselves clean.  "We're not perfect but we need to be committed to wanting to be."