“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass Have you ever heard of “Sudoku?” Sudoku is a number puzzle requiring one to fill-in multiple squares with the correct numbers in a sequential order. Several of the squares are pre-filled which helps provide both a starting point and a challenge. In some of the more difficult puzzles, the answers don’t come easily and over-coming frustration is part of the fun. One of my hobbies is conquering the Sudoku puzzles in the daily newspaper. As the week progresses, the puzzles become increasingly more difficult with the weekend edition being the most difficult. A friend of mine called me recently asking for advice in starting his new business. As many of you know first hand, starting a business can be frustrating at times and requires one to be patient and to “think outside the box” in order to get past certain stumbling blocks. I gave him the following “Sudoku puzzle” analogy in order to provide a different perspective. It is my belief that solving the puzzles parallels achieving success in both business and every day life. Many of you reading this post are entrepreneurial and likely understand the frustrations that come with the journey to success! Let me share with (and hopefully encourage!) you with what I shared with this young business person: The purpose of the Sudoku puzzle is to provide both mental stimulation and challenge. During the “challenge,” one may find that they’re excessively frustrated. This reveals that one might not understand the purpose or the goal. If you don’t enjoy the puzzle or the challenge that comes along with it, then get out of the game! Persevering in something in which you find no pleasure or enjoyment rarely equates to success! More often than not, there is no satisfaction in “toughing it out” for something you despise. Do not waste your time or energy if there’s no love or passion in your pursuit. To do so is just plain stupid! Ask yourself, “why am I starting this business?” If your goal is to merely fill in the squares of the puzzle, than just wait until tomorrows paper as it will already have the solution. But there is no joy in that pursuit as there was no “struggle” and there is no pride or satisfaction as the answers were given to you for free. This reminds me of those “privileged kids” we all grew up with. Some of them never had to work for what they had. However, the privileged kids whose parents made them work hard and appreciate what they earned typically went on to be just as, or even more successful, then their parents. Rich or poor, the “struggle” was the character builder that aided in their success. The joy is struggling and figuring it out the hard way...
Read More »
For the kitchen makeover, we wanted a larger “feeling” in the space. We accomplished this by keeping an open concept between the kitchen and dining room. The lighter kitchen cabinet color we used really gave a brighter and larger feeling to a smaller area. We also decided to go with a refrigerator that wasn’t so large that it overpowered the area. The kitchen is the first thing you see as you come around the corner from the living room, so we designed it with the granite counter tops and tile back splash to really make it pop! There wasn’t a lot that we could do differently with the kitchen layout due to the basement door being in the kitchen, but the glass accent tile and subway tile on the walls really diverted the attention to have a positive outcome. Here are some of the SKU’s we used in the kitchen: Floor Tile – Tahiti Gris 20″ x 20″ (Special Order – FCST6AC021) Floor Grout – Polyblend #382 Bone (123-852) Cabinets – Unfinished Oak Cabinets (387-246) Cabinet Color – Mushroom (MSL 248) Cabinet Handles – 3″ Bar Pull 4-Pack Stainless (731-837) Backsplash – Crackly Fantasy (773-887) with Daltile Architectural Gray 3″ x 6″ Subway Tile (special order) Backsplash Grout – Polyblend #382 Bone 10-lb. Non-Sanded Grout (123-851) Stove – Frigidaire 30-inch, 5.0-cubic feet with Self-Cleaning Convection Oven in Stainless Steel (548-983) Dishwasher – Frigidaire Gallery 24-inch, Front-Control in Stainless Steel (169-416) Microwave – Frigidaire 30-inch, 1.7-cubic feet, Over-the-Range in Stainless Steel with Sensor Cooking (533-524) Refrigerator – Frigidaire 18-cubic feet, Top-Freezer in Stainless Steel (1000002771) Granite – White Thorn (Custom Granite Company) ...
Read More »
I just tossed this week’s Sudoku puzzle into the trash. Finally, I completed it. I didn’t keep it or pin it to the refrigerator because it was the “challenge” that I desired. The struggle was the purpose. Let me repeat that: THE STRUGGLE WAS THE PURPOSE! If the struggle in business defeats your spirit and diminishes your drive, you are not an entrepreneur. Furthermore, you will continue to fail in business. Have you ever noticed that the challenges that frustrate losers have a tendency to motivate the winners? Which are you? In Sudoku, the puzzle will solve itself as long as you don’t “force” the numbers. Follow the clues, use your logic, and let your skills find the answer. As a result, the puzzle comes together. Let the puzzle solve itself! Now, take that same analogy and apply it in life and business. Do what you CAN and don’t fixate on the part you don’t understand. Solve whatever you can now. Similarly, the most successful people are not afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Of course, you can’t just say “I don’t know” and give up. Complete what you CAN and then learn about what you didn’t know. Success doesn’t require you to have all of the answers now but it does require you to use what you DO know…now! If you wait until you’ve got it all figured out, it might be too late. Someone else may have already solved the puzzle. There are going to be many times when frustration seems to take over. When that happens, step away for a break; clear your mind and rejuvenate. Those of us with driven, type-A personalities do not like to step-away. We don’t like to take breaks. Rather, we tend to push harder. Many entrepreneurs “appear” to win by sheer will-power and refusal to be beaten. That’s noble but it is not realistic and it’s not how it works in the real-world in most cases. Research has shown that long-term successful business men and women discovered early-on that stepping-away from their frustration point and giving their mind time to rest and reset can be most rewarding! Sometimes, a quick 20-minute power nap is all you need to recharge your batteries. Problems can often solve themselves following a moment of rejuvenation. Here are a few examples of high-functioning, successful leaders who were also power-nappers: Napoleon Thomas Edison John F. Kennedy John D. Rockefeller Winston Churchill Lyndon B. Johnson Ronald Reagan Each challenge you win will prepare you for the next difficult challenge. We all need regular reminders that life is not about making things as easy as possible. I’m sure you’ve often heard the phrase: “work smarter, not harder.” I disagree. I live by the motto: “work smarter and harder!” Promoters of “big government” have convinced themselves that if politicians and bureaucrats...
Read More »
“You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.” – Ghandi So often in the real estate industry, we hear those who love to pontificate about how important personal and professional relationships are. To merely “talk” about it is one thing. To take action and “walk the walk” is an entirely different subject. Of course, there are two different types of relationships in life and business. There are those bonds that are, well, shallow and convenient when the time is right. Then there are those connections that are profound and rooted in sincerity. I have found out recently how important it is to not only maintain professional relationships, but to nurture and grow them. In the long run, both parties find that the relationships that are deep and sincere tend to work in the favor of all involved. My personal and professional relationship with the Home Depot is a perfect example. A perfect example of something that in very short time, has grown immensely. It is a bond that I am very proud of and it is rooted in sincerity. It’s advantageous to both my company and to Home Depot. In 2013, my company and Home Depot joined in a strategic alliance that has equated to success in very short order. If you’re interested in more information regarding your local Home Depot Pro Desk, please send us a request via www.andrewcordle.com. We can set you up with your local Home Depot P.A.R. They will work hand-in-hand with your business and the result will be more than you’ve ever asked for! On behalf of myself and my team, I want to personally thank Home Depot executives and their loyal employees for making 2013 such a success. My goal is that we make 2014 an even better year. It is also my goal that our professional relationship continues to grow for the indefinite future. In closing, I must not forget to relay a special thank you to the Home Depot Executives. Thank you for sending my new bride Rebecca and I to an all inclusive, all expense paid trip to the 2014 Super Bowl. We hope to see our favorite team, the Seattle Seahawks, take home the Super Bowl trophy! Go Hawks! ...
Read More »
