My Thoughts

Are we all suffering from a near-sighted perspective?

I got an email from a guy the other day that asked, “What do I do today?”

Sure, I can flap my chops about changing the world—getting out there and doing something today. But, how do we realize the big picture and think big when we feel snagged in the moment to find instant gratification?

Hey, it’s not like I haven’t fell into the traps of the “quick-fix.”

Years ago, my wife and I were living in the Midwest—where if you have air conditioning in your house, it’s a shoe-box sized trinket that hangs out your window. Ours, at the time, was on the main floor of our two-story. So, many nights during the hot and sticky summer, we’d open the widows and anxiously await a breeze.

One summer night, I awoke with a severe symptom I used to refer to as “Burning-foot.” For some odd reason, in the middle of the night my feet would heat up like bagels in a toaster—crispy around the edges. I still try to convince my wife that I actually saw steam arise from my wheels one night.

Anyway, it was 3 a.m., and I was suffering. I ran my tootsies under cold water. And, it was during that shock-wave of trembling relief, when I devised a plan.

I went downstairs and into the kitchen. I opened the freezer hoping to find a frozen bag of peas. I had no such luck. So, frustrated by my “pea-less-nous”, I turned back to go to bed defeated.

That’s when I saw the big potato.

Planning for the next night, I placed the big potato in the freezer, smiled, and headed back to bed. And, anticipating the following night of gleefully cool feet, I fell into a deep sleep.

Of course, the next night, upon retiring to bed, I kissed my wife, rolled over and waited for my feet to ignite.

Not yet. Not yet. Ah-ha! Here comes the heat.

Of course, any man who has a wife, knows that bringing a frozen potato into bed would be considered a unspoken broken rule.

I grabbed a sock, ran down stairs, and slid my frozen masterpiece all the way down to the toe. Then, I snuck back into bed, tucked the potato-filled sock between my toes, and drifted off into nirvana.

The next day, I awoke refreshed. I went to work. I took my wife out for dinner. We didn’t return home till late. And, for some odd reason, I slept through the night without ever considering my “Burning-foot” disease.

Of course, after a few days of 100-plus temps and 98% humidity, an odd stench appeared in our bedroom. The stench grew—it thickened. And, my wife was pointing the finger at our mischievous pets.

Of course, that’s when I remembered the potato. Sometime between pure cooling pleasure and almost three full days of sweltering heat, that potato—wrapped in sock—had become lodged in our bedding.

It took me a while to find the potato. And, it took me a tad longer to admit my “brilliant potato plan” to my wife.

So, what’s the point?

The point is; we often get wrapped into finding quick fixes or solutions to make our lives better for the moment. However, if we don’t see the big picture—if we can’t think big—we end up creating more of a stink than we imagined, and we end up searching to find solutions to the problems created by our previous solutions.

Think big people. Central air-conditioning isn’t out of reach.

Oh, and if you want to read some really inspiring (and actually useful blogs) check out my friend Clint Swindall’s web site at: www.verbalocity.com. Clint is an Author, a Speaker, and a guy who changes the world every single day—he makes it a better place.

It wasn’t long ago that my Co-Author, Dr. Dwight Lundell and I were asked to speak at Presidential fundraising event about our book, The Cure for Heart Disease: Truth Will Save Nation.  The speech never happened because of last minute event changes.  However, it did make me ponder the human psyche as I asked myself, “When I get on stage, will I be able to change the way people think?”

Isn’t that the point?  Isn’t the goal of someone standing on stage and speaking to an audience to change their perception in some way shape or form?

Of course, watching the Presidential debates, it’s obvious that the candidates are not only attempting to engage the audience mebers who already agree with their platforms, but also attempting to engage those people who may still be undecided about their own personal stances on certain issues.

All this aside, here’s my question:  Does anyone ever cognitively hope someone changes their mind–in the future tense?

After an inspiring speech, audience members will often enthusiastically express to speakers, “You changed the way I perceive the world.”  But, ironically, most of us believe we’re right before someone else proves us wrong.

Why? Why don’t we yearn for mind-altering perspectives? Many of us want to change our behaviors in life–we eat too much, drink to much, watch too much television, don’t spend enough quality time with our families or our selves.  Yet, no one says, “Please change my opinions.”

Do your opinions affect your behaviors? Do you need to change your opinions before you change your behaviors?

And, when I ramble off statements like, “You can change the world.”  Let me ask you one final question: What’s holding you back? Physical inactivity toward your goal?  Or, psychological hurdles?

I’m pretty sure that Dr. Lundell and I could have changed the way that audience perceived heart disease and overall health.  We probably would have eve sold quite a few books from the engagement.  However, even if our audience all bought a book and they each read it five times, it wouldn’t make a dent unless the audience members changed their behaviors upon completion.

Here’s the good news…

Changing your behavior is simple–stop doing the things you wish you wouldn’t, and start doing the things you wish you would.  I guarantee everything else  becomes a piece of cake.  Which, by the way, I don’t recommend  you eat.

This is going to sound foofy and outrageous.

Here I go again, hung up on my “googlegangers”—the other Todd Nordstrom’s that appear when I google search my own name.  In a previous blog, I wrote about how I’ve connected with another Todd Nordstrom who lives in South Florida.  He’s a Realtor.  And, from all that I gather, he’s the Realtor everyone in South Florida should have because he’s got connections everywhere—ooodles and oodles of connections.

But, where are all the other Todd Nordstroms?

From what I gather, there’s a Todd Nordstrom who is co-owner of Outdoor Connections—an outdoor specialty store in Craig, Colorado.  There’s also Todd Nordstrom that lives in the LA area works as a Project Designer at WATG.  And there’s a Todd Nordstrom who lives in works in the Atlanta area as a Semiconductor professional.

Hey, guys, let’s connect for no other reason than four Todd Nordstroms can create more of an impact on this world than one.  Maybe we can raise money for a charity.  Maybe we can plan Todd Nordstrom Conference–where we can swap stories of how many times retailers ask us “Are you related to the real Nordstroms.”  Maybe we could go golfing, have a barbecue, or just sit around watching reruns of the Jetsons.  Or, maybe we could simply come together to realize that even though the only thing that connects us is our name, any group of people coming together can have a bigger impact than we ever imagined.

Is this crazy?  Can it turn into something bigger?

Hey, maybe there’s only a handful of Todd Nordstroms in the world to unite.  And, maybe once all the Todd Nordstroms connect, we’ll be able to create a ripple in the big pond—inspiring all the Steve Smith’s of the world to get together for a greater good.  Can you imagine what would happen if every guy named Steve Smith or Sarah Johnson, or Jim Jones contributed a dollar to charity named after themselves?  Can you imagine what would happen if every Susan  Rogers contributed an hour of her time?  Can you imagine the Robert Jonson Annual Picnic and Charity softball  game–just think of how crazy it would be to see all those uniforms.  They could be produced in mass quantities—all just saying “Bob” on the back.

And, can you imagine what would be possible if you—the reader of this silly blog—connected with every who shares your same name, or birthdate, or any other reason under the sun and simply said, “We want to make a change to some aspect of the world—so it can be a better place? Let’s get together.”

Todd Nordstroms, connect with me.  Jim Smiths, get together and do something good.  Oprah, bless your heart for doing so much for this world on your own—cause your probably not going to find a lot of other Oprahs out there.

The point is: we are a people.  Let’s get together and do something good.

Who cares if we have nothing in common.  Who cares if it seems ridiculous.  If, together, we can somehow make one person’s life better in this world, then connecting may be the best thing we’ve ever done.

People who get out bed each day believing they can change the world, do.  I never imagined anyone ever saying, “Todd, you saved my life.” That is, until I connected with Dr. Dwight Lundell to write The Cure for Heart Disease.   Todd Nordstrom may connect the perfect home-buyer and seller so everyone can live happier and healthier–making the wisest investment of their life.   Todd Nordstom may work on a semi-conductor project that changes the world.  And, Todd Nordstrom might give the outdoorsman a lasting experience that will be relished for a life time.

Alright, enough Todd Nordstrom.  It’s your turn.  Go.

Do we realize the true potential of the internet to connect a purpose with results?

Recently I posted some blogs on Jobing.com that were a follow-up to a magazine article I wrote called 6 Degrees of Recruiting Kevin Bacon.  Basically, the point of the article is that I argue whether 6 degrees of relationships connecting any two people on earth is still justified…simply because of the power of the internet.  Anyway, I posted the blogs titled Kevin Bacon Can You Hear Me?  The goal of the blogs was to connect, in less than six degrees, to Kevin Bacon via the internet.  Sure, I know it’s possible to call his agent.  But, I wanted to test something organic…and I actually had a hunch that something else unexpected would happen because of the posts.  I wondered how many new people would connect with me simply because I posted information.

What happened?  I received responses from all over the country , and from every walk of life.  I heard from bankers and pipe fitters.  I heard from executives and entry level sales clerks. People connected with me.  You can Google Todd Nordstrom or read the blogs at:  http://dallas.jobing.com/blog_post.asp?post=7238

Anyway, I used something familiar to connect with people I don’t know.  But, if you really want to know just how powerful the internet is for connecting people (and animals I guess) who share similar interests, I was introduced to a web site that blew my mind.

My wife is a television reporter.  Today she called me and said, “I’m working on a story that is unbelievable–it’s a web radio station for cats.”

Ready for this?  www.catgalaxymedia.com

I guess the web site gets millions of visitors–allowing their cats to hear cat approved music and content.

Isn’t this the best news you’ve read all day?  Hey, even if you don’t own a cat, like cats, or care to understand what goes into the cat entertainment industry, this web site proves a huge point;  opportunity is everywhere.  And, some people are taking advantage of it–to make the world a better place for someone.

Those who believe they can change the world do.

I gotta go now.  My cat wants to get online.

Curses to punctuation…especially the exclamation point.

What is the purpose of the exclamation point?

Sure, tell me that it’s used in written form to show emphasis, importance, excitement, passion, anger, or whatever you want to say about it.  I don’t like it no matter what you call it.   I think it’s toxic to our culture.  I think exclamation points simply reveal that the writer or communicator didn’t have the time or patience to find the proper wording to express their thoughts.

Yet, somehow we’ve all bought into the acceptance of such silliness.  Exclamation points are okay…because we don’t want to think about the real information being communicated.

Think about how many exclamation points we have in our culture—where we notice the empasis, but never truly consider the information.

I get a kick out of reading about statin drugs.  Gobs of people are squirming because of the negative side-affects like supposed memory loss and muscle weakness. But, the pharmaceutical companies place big hypothetical exclamation points on statins—we must lower our cholesterol.  And, the food manufacturers are saying the same thing—”Low Cholesterol.”

What’s the point?

The point is; only 50% of people who die from heart disease have elevated cholesterol.  The point is;  millions of Americans have reduced their cholesterol, yet the incidence of heart disease continues to rise—dramatically.

Why?  Because we’re dazzled by exclamation points!

Want to read more?

http://www.thecureforheartdisease.net/articles2.php 

Everyone is talking about people who “Get It.”

They say, “If you don’t know what ‘It’ is, then you obviously don’t ‘Get It’ yet.”

So, what is “It.”

I used to be a radio personality–years ago.  I was young and really wanted to be good.  So, I would spend time listening and mimicking the masters.  But, it seemed like the harder I tried, the further I fell away from greatness.

A long time ago, I also tried my hand at sales.  Again, I listened to the masters and read all the books.  And, again, even though I was mimicking the best and doing exactly what I thought everyone wanted from me, I failed miserably.

Today, I spend my time interviewing business and thought leaders from all over the country.  These are people who “Get It.”

Not too long ago, I was on the phone with Stedman Graham.  Here’s a guy that has built an extremely successful business.  He consults for some of the largest organizations in the world.  He faces the media without flinching on a daily basis.  He’s committed to helping others achieve their goals.  And yet, when I was on the phone with him, it was like I was talking to a person who was just beginning to see the potential impact they could have on the world–the guy is pure passion.  He can take a cumbersome topic and explain it in such simple brilliance that it’s blinding–because you wonder why you never saw it so clearly before.

Anyway, I asked Stedman, “When did you ‘Get It’–when did you come to that point where all of sudden everything made sense?”

He chuckled, “Todd, I have those moments all the time.  But, then when I look back on those moments, I realize that I had so much more to learn.”

So, basically, those who say they “Get It” haven’t “Gotten It” quite yet.  Because, Stedman is right.  To truly “Get It” we all need to come to a realization that—no matter who we are—there’s always more to understand.

And, if there’s any thing, any of us can learn from the masters–in any endeavor–it’s that they became masters by honing themselves, and not by mimicking others.

“Get It” yet?  I’m still working on “It.”

Check out Stedman’s work at:  www.stedmangraham.com

We’re all slung into this world—like John Cusack floppig roadside in the movie Being John Malkovich. And, just like in the movie, sometimes we get opportunities to share a small piece of someone else’s life.

I was contemplating my history and my future the other night—realizing how important every relationship or human touch-point is within the spectrum of our paths. And, although this can be a goopy and esoteric conversation, if we all truly look back and realize the impact each human we cross in life has on our outcomes, the concept is blinding.

I remember seeing a fight between two men outside a sporting event when I was in high school. I remember them arguing until one of the guys turned around, reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out what looked like a tuna sandwich. He set that sandwich on the hood of car, turned back around, and then the man became engaged in full-blown, gladiator style, brawl.

So, what’s significant about this event?

Obviously that tuna sandwich meant a great deal to that guy. And, oddly, although the crowd around the brawlers seemed fine with two grown pounding on each other, no one thought it was strange that one was carrying a tuna sandwich in his pocket, or that obviously the impending grudge match could wait to be resolved until the sandwich found a proper place.

The sandwich remained untouched during the short squabble. The police came and broke up the fight, pulling each man off into separate squad cars. And, even still, when the man asked if he could leave the police officer’s custody to retrieve his sandwich, the officer let him go get it.

What’s the point?

There seems to be an unspoken respect between any two people when survival is in question—a deeper understanding.

So, how is this related to people influencing your life?

Everyone can teach us something. We don’t have to like what they teach us, but we should learn from what they can teach us. And, if you really step back and think about how you got to where you are today, you’ll realize that most of the people you know came into your life because somehow you were introduced to each other. You’ll realize that the job you have, the path you chose, the family you may have, and even your current health status are results of the people you have crossed paths with in life.

Right now, in my job, I get to spend time talking to and building relationships with people like: Stephen Covey, Stedman Graham, Ken Blanchard, Marcus Buckingham, Frank Maguire, Mark Sanborn, Clint Swindall, Chester Elton, Randy Pennington, Robert Van Arlen, Sue Meisinger, and Drs. Kevin and Jackie Freiberg, and I even got a chance to build a relationship with the late Yolanda King, whose father was one of the most influential men in history.

Of course, all these people are known for hurdling brilliance into the world. But, that doesn’t mean that their impact on my life will be the greatest. What if my greatest influence comes from someone I’ve never heard of before, or the world never paid attention to throughout their life. What if the person who changes my course in life the most is the woman selling eyeglass cleaner at the super market–and because I stop briefly to have my glasses cleaned my life is inadvertently changed for the better.

We’re much like a pool ball in life–sometimes resting perfectly still until another ball smacks us. Sometimes the other balls send us drifiting in the opposite direction. Sometimes we roll with the other balls–at least until we bump into another ball.

But, no matter who we meet along the course of game, it is important to understand those things we hold precious to our own survival. It’s important along the way to safegaurd the very things we need to survive and thrive. And, undoubtedly, if we make our priorities clear to the world, most people will respect our wishes and even help us along the way—just like the police officer releasing the brawler to walk back across the parking lot to fetch his tuna sandwich.

I bet that guy enjoyed that sandwich—even though he had to struggle to maintain its existence.

See, anyone can change your world. And, that means, you can change anyone else’s.

I’m working on another book with Dr. Dwight Lundell.

If you haven’t grabbed the first one, go to: www.thecureforheartdisease.net