A Humble, Naked Return

Hello everyone in the blogoshpere. I have been away for a couple months taking care of some "business" so I can establish a base from which to launch more of the lessons, insights, or maybe better categorized as rantings =) that you have been kind enough to support since I started this early last year. During my time away I have had some experiences that have provided me with some insights I would love to share with you.

Since my last entry, I have begun the process of building production studios in a 12,000 sq. ft. building we are purchasing in Fairfield, NJ, and I have gone back into education as a principal of a school for hearing impaired children.

I humbly return after the struggles of going through the process of convincing a bank to trust me with a large sum of money, and the process of convincing a board that the six years I spent away from education would make me a more insightful educator.

Fortunately, I have been able to make it through both exercises. We are still awaiting the ridiculousness of the NJDEP to environmentally approve our building's neighborhood, although the building's lot itself was deemed safe. So I AM a principal, as I write this, but I am NOT yet a building owner.

Today is the first day I have been able to sit an take a breathe and really reflect on the past three months away, and I realized the valuable lesson I learned through the process. I stated how humble I feel, because this experience has done just that. . . humbled me.

I have been very fortunate in my life to have had success at an early age. I was a school administrator at 28, and have been nominated for an Emmy for each of my first three television specials. When that kind of fortune comes your way, you might take for granted that it is not special, but expected. Sometimes your view of the world and reality become a bit skewed. I am not saying I did not realize what was happening to me was special and that I was lucky, I was just not aware of how lucky I truly was. It took forced introspection and total transparency to have me truly see how lucky I am and how lucky I continue to be.

If you are feeling a bit "off" or are having trouble connecting with your authentic self, then I recommend you try to do two things:
1.) Attempt to refinance your home or borrow a large sum of money, while not receiving a regular paycheck
2.) Put together a resume, attempt to get interviews, and then actually go through with them.

Nothing will be more humbling than the process of convincing someone to bring you in for an interview and/or the process of a lender going through your entire professional and/or financial history.

Both activities will make you stand in front of the proverbial mirror and look at your life in a really naked, raw manner. Just like the first time you put on your bathing suit, after a winter of baggy sweaters, you might not like what you see. Admitting where you need to improve yourself is the first step in making your life more enriching and fulfilling. You have to be willing to see your naked self for who you really are, accept it, and then resolve to get yourself in shape - spiritually, financially, and maybe even physically.

It may also make you rethink your personal relationships and habits, and spotlight those that have a positive impact on your life. Without the love and support of my wife, and some extended family and friends, I would not be able to have survived the naked walk I have had to make throughout the early part of 2011. I also learned who my true friends were and to be much more wary of those who support you in your time of success (easy to do).

So I'm back, I have survived both trials. I am happy to be back working with teachers and kids, and excited about the next adventure of further building the all new Nightstand Studios. This humbling has allowed me to take two steps back, establish a new base, and hopefully launch forward to greater heights, with more insanely exciting ideas, and continue to strive to make the world a better place for families.

Everyone can be successful, you just need to be willing to go back and get naked. Put on your Re-birthday suit, and live your best life.

Stay tuned. . .
Randy

Time to empty the education sock drawer.

This month the documentary Waiting For Superman will be released on DVD. I haven't had the opportunity to view the entire film yet, but have consumed all the interviews, Oprah appearances, their very detailed website, etc. Its message is something that stirs emotions deep within me, and really has had me obsessing over some unfinished business I have in my life.

As many of you know, I have spent the past six years producing wholesome family entertainment and educational media, after spending 13 successful and frustrating years in education - 8 as a Central Office Administrator and building principal. I left public education to pursue my other passion of family entertainment - but I was probably more pushed out than I was someone leaving on his own. I call it the blocking of energy by those who were "Collecting checks instead of earning them"

When someone with energy, vision, and passion is around the likes of conservative (not politically) "caretakers" of deeply rooted, union controlled organizations like public education, the ones in control are fearful of their cushy positions and, quite frankly, feel they have earned the right to now rest on their past successes that got them the big offices and high salaries.

I have been following NJ Governor Chris Christie's initiatives to overhaul and reform public education and am encouraged by the fact that people are talking about reform. We have been running our schools the same way since we moved out of the one room schoolhouse and it is time for some REAL REFORM. Our education system is broken, and until we actually resolve ourselves to really fix it, we are going to continue to go through cases of duct tape and bubble gum to patch up the holes and weak structures that are a result of top-heavy administrative budgets, overpaid local superintendent positions, and ridiculous union-forced job security measures such as tenure.

We continue to recycle administrators that were not successful in other positions because of the length (which is misrepresented as strength) of their resumes, the color of their skin, or the graying of their hair. We are trying create new educational models with components that are not really compatible. We continue to recyle these candidates because their "experience" brings comfort to those making the decision to hire them. We are attempting to run new plays with players who are not fit enough to execute them.

I have sat by and watched silently, seething as I see do-nothing wannabe politicians become superintendents and principals who are satisfied with not taking risks and collecting their checks in their cushy offices, while the children are delivered the same laminated programs of years past.

It is time for us to dump out the "sock drawer" that is the decision makers (or non-decision makers) that make up a large percentage of our education system. Throw away the the ones that no longer match, fit, or have holes in them, and systematically replenish the collection with ones that actually fit and match our new wardrobe (plans for reform).

Stay tuned, as I have just begun to discuss what needs to be done. Just like the reasons I went into broadcasting, these opinions will ruffle the feathers of the "Check Collectors" and further energize those who really are "Earning their check" and making positive strides in education reform.

We can't wait for Superman. We need to all put on a cape and do our part.

An "Impactful" life.

I know. .. Impactful is not a real word. It is coming up on everyone's spellcheck alert, but it is the most concise way of describing today's message.

I found out this morning, while listening to the Howard Stern Show, about the death of one of my life's icons, Jack LaLanne. Those who know me, are expecting me to blog about this. Those who REALLY know me, are expecting me to be very hurt by this, as if I have lost a family member.

Truth is, just like in life, his passing has inspired me. Unlike Mister Rogers, who I never had the opportunity to meet, I spent three days with Jack LaLanne, at a time in my life that I was approaching a crossroad. We spent three days eating healthy, talking about fitness, and more importantly, the impact we have on others. It is a happenstance meeting that had a great impact on how I continue to live my life.

I told him my story of the educator-turned struggling producer, and my dream of helping make the world a better place. He patiently listened and asked questions, then said to me "You are doing the right thing. All my life I have just worried about helping others, and the rest has fallen in place." He said that with an earnestness and sincerity that brought a calm over me, at a time where I was doubting the craziness of what I was doing.

Five years and four Emmy nominations later, I find myself at the same crossroad. As always, I have several irons in the fire, and work and live at a pace that must be very tiring to watch (although it is invigorating to live) or for my wife to live with (a real saint). I have so many things I still want to accomplish as an educator, as a family man, as a creative producer, as an American.

I see the problems plaguing our education system, and I have a real plan for how to fix it. I see the problems in our governmental system, and I also have a real plan of how to fix that. I see garbage on TV and feel that there has to be a wholesome alternative that people want to watch and experience. Most importantly, I have an AWESOME wife and two daughters and want to experience every minute of their lives with them. So you see why I am always running so hot.

So I take pause today to remember the words of the man I was so fortunate to have met - and experience his energy firsthand. It makes me think of a quote from Jackie Robinson: "A Life is not important, except for the impact it has on others." Jack LaLanne preached that we should all "Work and Live Vigorously," and he did so in an "Impactful" way - a way that left a great impact on how I, as well as others live our lives.

So I will continue to dream of leaving a legacy like Jack did, and maybe someday I will be given the opportunity he had to affect global change. Maybe someone will really, truly want to make change and I will get the opportunity to implement my plans for education, entertainment, or for government. In the meantime, I will continue to try my hardest to have an impact on the most important passion in my life - my wife and my girls.

Thank you Jack for having an impact.

Your presence might be missed, but your spirit will live on.

Who will YOU impact today?

Living like an Underdog

Birthday's are another great excuse/opportunity to re-evaluate yourself and your life's direction (like I ever need an excuse to do that). As my loyal readers would attest, I always encourage self-evaluation and the consistent check into your progress towards long-term and short-term goals. I also encourage constant "tweaking" of said goals. If something isn't working, change it. No need to keep a molded strawberry in the refrigerator, if you know you will never use it. Throw it out and go buy some more fruit.

This week was my 43rd birthday. On the morning of my birthday, I took the family dog, Holly, out for a long walk. With the weather being so cold and snowy, we have been taking shorter walks or I'ver been letting her out in the backyard to "do her business." January 11, however, I decided to bundle up and go for a walk in the 15 degree morning air. I ran into a neighbor, whom I regularly exchange the latest news and sports talk with, and continued on our way. We discussed the amazing weekend of NFL playoff games and how the underdogs won 3 out of the 4 games. The Seattle Seahawks beat the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints, after being 10 point underdogs going into the game. That got me thinking.

Nobody gave them a fighting chance to win, but they showed up and did just that. They believed in themselves and their chances for victory, and it didn't matter what the rest of the league thought. Sure their fans showed up and were making all kinds of noise, but I would have to think that they were just thrilled to have their 7-9 team hosting a playoff game. This game was gravy to them. . . but not to the players.

I think that there is a lesson there that can apply to our daily lives and the reaching for our goals and dreams. Saints fans must have been blow away by the fact that this team, who only won 7 games during the regular season, vanquished their reigning champions.

This is a big build-up for a simple lesson that I would like everyone to think about. I believe the day you wake up and do not have the fire of an underdog, the desire to become better than we were the day before, the confidence to move forward when the rest of the world may not be paying attention to you (or seeming doesn't believe in you), that is the day you will begin your decline - your spiral toward the end. . . when your life will have "Jumped the Shark" so to speak. Just look at Mike Tyson's life after he took Buster Douglas for granted, and believed he was no longer an underdog - believed his own reported invincibility.

The old saying is that "Everyone loves an underdog." I believe that is true because the underdog has the spirit, energy, and drive to continue to move forward and create something unexpected.

Live like an underdog, and expect the unexpected.

Peace,

Randy

Don't Resolve - EVOLVE

It is resolution time again. People are pumped up and motivated to change their lives, better themselves, and take on the world. For the next week we will see people eating better, maybe being nicer, walking around sore (because they resolved to exercise more and are feeling the effects of an inactive 2010) or actually showing up to work on time. Many of us claim "This is the year when ______".

Invariably, this does not last. People are creatures of habit and will soon grow tired or overwhelmed by their new resolutions and fall back into the same routines they were dissatisfied with the previous years.

There is a way to break this cycle, and that is to NOT make a resolution. Resolutions are so absolute that they are unrealistic in their actual attainment. Also, when you do veer off your resolution, you are most likely going to say "Well, that was that - good try on my part" and fall back into the old habits and eventually become disappointed in yourself. A vicious cycle that seems to repeat itself year after year.

The solution is simple - don't resolve. . . evolve. Take your goals not in absolution of a resolution, but in smaller attainable goals, allowing you to take baby steps over the period of the year and bank positive actions. Not unlike the recovering addict - Alcohol, food, drugs, etc. - live your life one day or period at a time. If you are trying to lose weight, take it one meal at a time. Trying to get fit? . . .one day at a time. Trying to read more. . .one page at a time. Before you know it, you will have attained a collection of positive actions and if you miss a day or two, you can easily start again.

Subscribe to this evolution process - slow growth over time - and before you know it, you will have demonstrable growth.

Last year, I had "resolved" to write more and blog. I started out strong and petered out in the end. When I reflected on my year, I was pleased to see that I had shared 31 blogs - some insightful, some silly, and some a bit out there. Nonetheless, that is 31 more blogs or public writings than I did the year before. I am proud of myself for that achievement - not disappointed over the frequency. This year, I will try to do it more frequently.

At the very least, this is entry number one. Next time I have something to say, I will then write again. . . no pressure. . . just progress.

Happy New Year.

Randy