Well I tripled my profit from last week. Good news right? Not so much. We measure our book sales in units. Each unit is about $5 in profit. Last week I sucked and only sold about 100 units which is like $500. This week on Wednesday I had 84 units so I almost beat my week in a day. I feel like I have a lot of potential to live up to. I know I can do this job better because my best week last week was like 342. This week I finished with 308 units. My best day ever is 139 and I am going to crush that next week. This summer has so much to offer me not only in financial gains but also in growth. I am really focusing on doing things because I said I would. Over the past few years I feel like my integrity has slipped and some bad habits have formed. In high school I was such a straight edge student, but in college I let myself become complacent and stretch the boundaries. I want to use this summer as way to recalibrate the direction of my life.
I know all these blogs begin to sound cliché, but it really is true. There is no better feeling than finished a day of working hard all day even when you reallllly didn't want to. Each day is crazy but I am so glad I'm here.
Funny stories for the week: today I pulled up to a house and there was a German Shepard outside. I always jump out of my car and open the back door to get my bag out. Well the German Shepard came running at my car, but the owner said he was friendly. I let him smell me then went to open my back door to get my bag. The dog was friendly alright. He jumped right into my car and just sat there until the owner had to come over and drag him out of the car. His response was, "He has a thing for cars." Interesting day.
I also may or may not have stolen a "No Soliciting" sign. (Some bad habits from college are carrying over).
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Girl Story
Alright, to relieve Kate's desire to hear the story I will explain.
I was sitting in a house and it was awesome. The dad, Bill let me in and we sat at his kitchen table. I usually build rapport with kids by getting them to come sit down and then tell them I'm with the military. It goes something like this,
"Hi, did your parents tell you what this is about?"
"Nope."
"Ok well I'm actually with the military and due to the events from the past few weeks your parents have enrolled you in a two week military program. You need to pack light for two weeks and then we'll do some push ups and head out."
Then the kids usually freak out or their parents bust out laughing. After that they are pretty relieved and cool. So then I started explaining what I am really doing and show him the books. His older college sister was in the kitchen with her friend while we were doing the military prank. They busted out laughing as well and asked where we were from. Then they went to the other room. So while showing the books we hear the mom yell from the other room, "Bill she wants to use your number."
Bill says, "What? She wants to use my number???"
"No, she wants you to get his number."
At this point I didn't know what his reaction was going to be so I just froze. There was a bit of awkward time until he finally cracked a smile and laughed. So I then proceeded to let out a nervous laugh and continue on with the demo. Well it ended up that they had already ordered the books in the past but he didn't know it. The mom bought them a few years back. So he said he was sorry but wasn't sure if they knew where it was. He said he wanted to call me in case he couldn't find the books. So I gave it to him. Well we usually have our phones off during the day so I cut it on at about 9:40. I had two texts. One said, "Hey cutie ;)." The other said, "Remember me from the kitchen?"
So that was kind of funny. I did respond to her texts for a minute but then decided it probably wasn't a good idea. So that's my story. I hope it was entertaining.
I was sitting in a house and it was awesome. The dad, Bill let me in and we sat at his kitchen table. I usually build rapport with kids by getting them to come sit down and then tell them I'm with the military. It goes something like this,
"Hi, did your parents tell you what this is about?"
"Nope."
"Ok well I'm actually with the military and due to the events from the past few weeks your parents have enrolled you in a two week military program. You need to pack light for two weeks and then we'll do some push ups and head out."
Then the kids usually freak out or their parents bust out laughing. After that they are pretty relieved and cool. So then I started explaining what I am really doing and show him the books. His older college sister was in the kitchen with her friend while we were doing the military prank. They busted out laughing as well and asked where we were from. Then they went to the other room. So while showing the books we hear the mom yell from the other room, "Bill she wants to use your number."
Bill says, "What? She wants to use my number???"
"No, she wants you to get his number."
At this point I didn't know what his reaction was going to be so I just froze. There was a bit of awkward time until he finally cracked a smile and laughed. So I then proceeded to let out a nervous laugh and continue on with the demo. Well it ended up that they had already ordered the books in the past but he didn't know it. The mom bought them a few years back. So he said he was sorry but wasn't sure if they knew where it was. He said he wanted to call me in case he couldn't find the books. So I gave it to him. Well we usually have our phones off during the day so I cut it on at about 9:40. I had two texts. One said, "Hey cutie ;)." The other said, "Remember me from the kitchen?"
So that was kind of funny. I did respond to her texts for a minute but then decided it probably wasn't a good idea. So that's my story. I hope it was entertaining.
Summer is here
Well my summer has begun and Southwestern is kicking my butt. It's a good thing though. I feel as if I am going through this really tough week to have an awesome week next week. I have met some awesome people and the first years out here are doing great. My farmer's tan is showing quite nicely and there is kid here from Michigan that plays on the Ultimate club team at U of M. Obviously this is great news for me and his throw is soooo smooth.
I have a funny story about a girl getting my number while I was showing books to her dad. kind of awkward. I might have to tell it tomorrow though because i'm exhausted right now.
I have a funny story about a girl getting my number while I was showing books to her dad. kind of awkward. I might have to tell it tomorrow though because i'm exhausted right now.
Friday, May 14, 2010
A watch.
So I needed a watch for the summer. Luckily mom has has a ridiculous collection of Swatch watches and gave me one for Christmas a few years ago. It was actually about a decade ago because when found it in the bottom of my cabinet I read the outer face. It reads, "Sydney 2000: Olympic Games." It's a cool watch though. At least I think so. The real purpose of this blog was to talk about the ticking. It is so strange to hear it at random times. I'll be resting my head on my hand and think to myself, "What the heck is that noise?" I like it though. It reminds me that my time matters and it is going to move no matter what I decide to do. So here I go off to another summer of door-to-door sales. As strange as it seems, I plan on learning a lot this summer. Videos will follow as well as some regularity to my blog.
After the summer I am free. I literally have nothing to do. That rules.
After the summer I am free. I literally have nothing to do. That rules.
Friday, April 30, 2010
It's Here!
Wow, the last official day of college. It's mind-blowing. Actually, as I was talking to David Brenneman we realized that it really didn't feel like the end yet. It's so crazy just to take a minute and think back at EVERYTHING that has happened. So much! Here's the good news. Do I remember how much money I spent? The naps I took? The grades I made freshman year in English? No way! I don't remember any of that, all I know is that I have awesome friends and awesome relationships. I feel ready for the world. I'm honestly trying to embrace this change as much as possible. It does me no good to sit around and wish I could stay here longer.
Am I nervous? Heck yea! Do I care? Heck no! I'm just trying to imagine what life will be like after this summer. Where will I be? What do I want to do? Who will I meet? There are so many questions just waiting to get answered and I can't wait. Thank you Asbury for all that you have given me, but now it's time for me to peace out.
Am I nervous? Heck yea! Do I care? Heck no! I'm just trying to imagine what life will be like after this summer. Where will I be? What do I want to do? Who will I meet? There are so many questions just waiting to get answered and I can't wait. Thank you Asbury for all that you have given me, but now it's time for me to peace out.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sem TÃtulo
Ok so I don't know why but for some reason I really wanted to go on a run tonight. I had just struggled to finish a two page Spanish paper (sad I know). So little of my life involves physical challenges besides the occasional frisbee, floor hockey, or softball game. After sending off my paper, I put on some shorts and took off. I was actually quite impressed with myself. I ran for 3.75 miles at a 7.29 pace. It was the perfect temperature outside and a great way to just release some freaking endorphins.
The past few days have brought upon a lot of thinking as far as life after college goes. Just imagine this for a minute; two weeks from now my life will be totally different. I'll still be the same Holland Hames, but the environment and activities will not be. As I talked with my roommates this afternoon about leaving on the same Saturday that I graduate really sent me into disbelief. It's hard to imagine not signing up for classes or checking CPO. I am excited at the same time. In Senior Seminar we read a book called, Hit the Ground Running. The book is about all sorts of different companies and their leadership or management styles. It has everything from Smuckers to Mohawk Industries (for all of my GA friends it's that carpet manufacturing place with the little Indian in Dalton,GA. I'm pretty sure you pass by it.) He talks about embracing the change. I've been trying desperately to change the way I think. All my life it's like I'm moving backwards.
When I went to Michigan a few weeks ago we uncovered what had been holding me back from really succeeding during the summer. I told him that I was so worried about repeating my same results from the previous summer. Boom: there was the problem. My life and my decisions in life have all been made based on previous results. It's time for my mind to be thinking about the future and about what I want out of life. Travis described it as me walking backwards and continually running into problems because I'm so caught up in what is behind me. I never forgive myself for making mistakes. I just let them follow me around and keep tripping over them. I know that is the reason why I hold myself back from getting good grades, working hard during the summer, maintaining relationships, or whatever it is. Something inside my brain tells me that I don't deserve to forget what I've done. It limits me to repeating the same mistakes because I've given myself permission to do so in the past. So what have I been working on? Forgetting things that happened or mistakes I've made. It's probably the most difficult thing I've ever done, but it's so important because all of the mistakes flood into all areas of my life. Anyway this was a revelation to me and I feel like typing it all out helps solidify my findings.
whew, it feels good to talk that out. I feel like I could go into more detail, but I'm tired and want to go to sleep. Also, check out this blog because it has some amazing pictures.
http://blog.fotoalternativa.net/
The past few days have brought upon a lot of thinking as far as life after college goes. Just imagine this for a minute; two weeks from now my life will be totally different. I'll still be the same Holland Hames, but the environment and activities will not be. As I talked with my roommates this afternoon about leaving on the same Saturday that I graduate really sent me into disbelief. It's hard to imagine not signing up for classes or checking CPO. I am excited at the same time. In Senior Seminar we read a book called, Hit the Ground Running. The book is about all sorts of different companies and their leadership or management styles. It has everything from Smuckers to Mohawk Industries (for all of my GA friends it's that carpet manufacturing place with the little Indian in Dalton,GA. I'm pretty sure you pass by it.) He talks about embracing the change. I've been trying desperately to change the way I think. All my life it's like I'm moving backwards.
When I went to Michigan a few weeks ago we uncovered what had been holding me back from really succeeding during the summer. I told him that I was so worried about repeating my same results from the previous summer. Boom: there was the problem. My life and my decisions in life have all been made based on previous results. It's time for my mind to be thinking about the future and about what I want out of life. Travis described it as me walking backwards and continually running into problems because I'm so caught up in what is behind me. I never forgive myself for making mistakes. I just let them follow me around and keep tripping over them. I know that is the reason why I hold myself back from getting good grades, working hard during the summer, maintaining relationships, or whatever it is. Something inside my brain tells me that I don't deserve to forget what I've done. It limits me to repeating the same mistakes because I've given myself permission to do so in the past. So what have I been working on? Forgetting things that happened or mistakes I've made. It's probably the most difficult thing I've ever done, but it's so important because all of the mistakes flood into all areas of my life. Anyway this was a revelation to me and I feel like typing it all out helps solidify my findings.
whew, it feels good to talk that out. I feel like I could go into more detail, but I'm tired and want to go to sleep. Also, check out this blog because it has some amazing pictures.
http://blog.fotoalternativa.net/
Monday, March 22, 2010
I did it on purpose
Yeah that's right! Nearly two months without blogging. Actually, I didn't do it on purpose I just didn't have much to share. Now that I have a smart phone and have been using Twitter, it sort of pacifies my need to write blogs. It's like chewing nicotine gum instead of smoking a real cigarette. Ok, not really, but anyway.
I'm back for now. I wanted to write about the frustration of the unknown. I know that God is in control and that everything will work out, but when you honest to goodness have no freaking clue what you will be doing at the end of the summer, it's kind of scary. I know I will be able to do pretty much anything I want as long as I have the money. That shouldn't be a problem provided I work hard all summer. Also, there are some choices that need to be made now that I just don't what in the world to do with. There are things I want to do, even though I know it probably isn't a good idea. They could wait, but what if I wait too long? Did I miss my chance? Will it ever come by again? I'm sure it will in some form or fashion, but what kind of fun could I have had if I had done it. Anyway, six weeks is all I have left at my Asbury career. It's a bit sad, but refreshing at the same time.
I thought I would have more to say, but for now there is nothing. I am just sitting in Fisher F trying to start on homework, but obviously I didn't make it. Going on spring break also made me realize what cool friends I had. I met a few new people over the course of the week and I'm really satisfied with the people in my group. We all seem to really care about each other and honestly want our relationships to stay healthy. It's really cool. Weak blog, but IDC.
I'm back for now. I wanted to write about the frustration of the unknown. I know that God is in control and that everything will work out, but when you honest to goodness have no freaking clue what you will be doing at the end of the summer, it's kind of scary. I know I will be able to do pretty much anything I want as long as I have the money. That shouldn't be a problem provided I work hard all summer. Also, there are some choices that need to be made now that I just don't what in the world to do with. There are things I want to do, even though I know it probably isn't a good idea. They could wait, but what if I wait too long? Did I miss my chance? Will it ever come by again? I'm sure it will in some form or fashion, but what kind of fun could I have had if I had done it. Anyway, six weeks is all I have left at my Asbury career. It's a bit sad, but refreshing at the same time.
I thought I would have more to say, but for now there is nothing. I am just sitting in Fisher F trying to start on homework, but obviously I didn't make it. Going on spring break also made me realize what cool friends I had. I met a few new people over the course of the week and I'm really satisfied with the people in my group. We all seem to really care about each other and honestly want our relationships to stay healthy. It's really cool. Weak blog, but IDC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)