Jonathan Miller's Blog, page 14

John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Spiritual Thoughts

Spiritual Thought for the Day:

“Just for today I will avoid the Seven Deadly Sins of anger, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

And engage in sins that are merely physically unhealthy but not life threatening.”

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When someone is rude to me in a public place and I can’t think of a clever retort, I sometimes wish there was a magic pause button I could push until I come up with a clever retort.

And a magic fast forward button I could push right after I say it.

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When I say I fully intend...

Erica and Matt Chua: Korean Food: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Korean food ran the gambit from the good, the bad and the downright ugly. On many occasions Korean cuisine surprised us, apparently South Koreans are better at more than kimchi. Who knew that South Korea makes the best fried chicken in the world? I feel that I am uniquely qualified to make a judgement on the best fried chicken in the world because I’ve tried my fair share due to my husband’s fried chicken addiction. He evenbelieves his future is in fried chicken and beer. So, while I know you...

John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Sleep

I am about to go to sleep

After my insomnia lets go it’s grip on my brain

And sleepiness displaces restlessness

And I get ready for bed

And drink another warm glass of milk

And get into bed

And try to go to sleep

After I set my alarm

And check it to make sure it is set

And after realizing, again, it is far too late to be getting to bed

But feeling relieved that short sleep is nearing

And finally drifting toward oblivion thinking to myself

I am about to go to sleep

Saul Kaplan: 10 Reasons Companies Fail at Business Model Innovation

Companies fail at business model innovation because they’re so busy pedalling the bicycle of current business models they leave no time or resource to design new ones.

Most companies focus innovation efforts on new products and on driving efficiencies into current models. These are important activities, but not sufficient in the 21st century when business models don’t last as long and face disruption. This means business model innovation is the new strategic imperative. In this post I outline...

John Y. Brown, III: R.I.P Jim King

I didn’t know Jim King well but as we have learned in our collective grieving the past 24 hours, everyone in Louisville seems to have a Jim King story, including me.

The first time I ever had an extended conversation with Jim King was just over 5 years ago when Jerry Abramson announced he would not seek reelection and Jim King’s name immediately circulated as a likely candidate for mayor.

A local community leader and mentor of mine called me and said “You have to meet the man who is going to be...

John Y’s Musings from the Middle: My True Gifts

My lovely wife Rebecca has, again, failed to fully appreciate me and the gifts I possess.

Tonight, or this morning really, Rebecca woke up to me making clanking sounds in our closet as I pushed unneeded hangers into the garbage can. I was so proud of my work. I had stayed up much of the night clearing out and organizing my side of the closet and knew Rebecca would really be excited. Actually, I just hoped she wouldn’t be mad because I did make a lot of noise the last 30 minutes and did wake he...

Julie Rath: If You Try One New Thing This Winter, Make It THIS Accessory

One thing about winterthat gets me more excited than I probably should isBOOTS. Boots pretty much rock my world, and I’m thrilled that it’s time to start looking at what’s in stores this Fall.

Here’s why boots are so awesome:

1) Boots are a great way to distinguish your work clothes from your “going out” clothes.

2) [this one’s sneaky] Since boots often have thicker soles than regular shoes, they can give you a little help in the height department.

3) There are loads of different boot styles that...

John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Slim Fit

I inadvertently purchased a “slim fit” shirt for myself over Christmas. And grabbed it and put it on quickly this morning before realizing what I had done.

At first I thought I may have unknowingly been taking steroids. Then I thought perhaps it was my son’s shirt. Or about anybody else’s shirt but mine. By the time I realized what happened, I was already in my car and several miles down the road and already running a little late so I was stuck.

I tried best I could to conceal the issue by stan...

Josh Bowen: 5 Things to Start Doing

If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, fitness impacts everything about ourselves. From personal relationships to our jobs to our self confidence in ourselves, working out actually enhances ourselves to be better at many things. BUT life is busy and often times other people take priority over ourselves. Our spouses, our friends and family and our jobs take precedent over our own needs. It is a huge dichotomy over what we need to do and what we want to do.

I train people all d...

John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Retweeting

Before we “retweet” anything it is important to ask ourselves:

1) Are we doing this because we really think it is a Tweet worthy of retweeting (for the sake of humankind)?

2) Or is it worthy of retweeting more as an inside joke to an inner circle of our friends?

3) Or are we trying to curry favor with the Tweeting person even though we don’t believe the Tweet is all that special?

4) Or are we retweeting a Tweet because that person recently retweeted one of our Tweets (and we’d like for them to do...