Kevin W. McCarthy

Are You Prepared To Lose To Gain?

How do you deal with loss?  What is loss? 

Could it be that loss and, more importantly, learning how to deal with loss are simply as organic to life as the vegetable section at your local Whole Foods store?   In The On-Purpose Person, I reference fighters, floaters, fleers, and flitters as "styles" for dealing with stress and life. Learning to navigate loss is important to our health, well-being, and finances.

In today's On-Purpose^® Minute, let's explore the gains to be found in loss!  You might be surprised just how effective loss can be to our long-term benefit.

Click here to subscribe to The On-Purpose Minute which is published every Tuesday morning.

What does it take to be a success?

I found this presentation on TED that breaks down some of the key qualities of being on-purpose.   RIchard St. John was asked a simple question by a teenager.   His pursuit of the answer lead to 500 interviews over 7 years with successful people.  In 3 minutes Richard provides great insight in an entertaining manner.  Enjoy!

Kevin O. McCarthy Meets Kevin W. McCarthy

Lunch today was fun!  Thanks to a mutual friend, Kevin McCarthy met Kevin McCarthy.  For the first time in my life, I signed a book to another Kevin McCarthy.

Kevin O. McCarthy (on the left) gets my vote for being one smart, straight talking, principled, entrepreneurial, and strategic thinker.  Wow! 

Kevin is a second term US Congressman from Bakersfield, CA, an agricultural and oil area.  His roots run deep in terms of integrity and leadership. I was profoundly encouraged to see a man of high character and practical business experience serving our nation. 

We need more business persons being about the people's business.  Government is big business but it is overrun with lawyers.  No lawyer jokes here.  I have tremendous respect for their training, profession, and role; but legal minds are contentious minds.  Business minds are trained to manage and lead with an eye toward creating value.

One day I hope to have the opportunity to vote for Kevin McCarthy for President or Vice President of the United States.  Kevin McCarthy is a winner... and not just in name only! 

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What's Your Valentines Day Advice?

What's your greatest advice for keeping your marriage together?  Let me hear from you on this one!  With Valentines Day fast approaching, it would be great to gather some insights - serious and humorous alike.

The "best advice" I ever got was from a man married for 39 years.  I was in college at the time and his daughter was a dear friend of mine. As he drank his morning coffee, I asked, "Mr. Collier, to what do you attribute the longevity of your marriage to Mrs. Collier?"

Immediately he answered, "Early in our marriage we came to an agreement that I would make all the big decisions in our marriage and my bride would handle all the small decisions.  Amazingly, in 39 years of marriage there has been nothing but small decisions."

I can remember laughing as he shared that advice.  After over 25 years of marriage to my bride, I fully appreciate his humorous wisdom even more.  If only I had listened better...

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

PS: Photo is the McCarthy Family:  Charles, Judith, Anne, and Kevin

My Darden School Experience Could Be Yours!

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The Darden School at the University of Virginia provides a business education that I rate as second to none.  The faculty are amazing, the facilities are stunningly beautiful, and, yet, that isn't what makes it so exceptional.  It is the culture of Darden that makes it special.  Being a part of Mr. Jefferson's University offers a rare grounding in the exceptional vision and intelligence of this founding father.   While President's name are often attached to building and schools, Mr. Jefferson truly created to core strategy, designed the buildings, and oversaw physical construction.   He was the architect and truly laid the foundation for generations and created a culture of engaged learning and excellence.

I consider myself truly blessed to have earned my MBA from the Darden School. Have you considered getting an MBA while still working?  Here is your chance!

The MBA for Executives Program at Darden allows seasoned managers to earn the Darden MBA from the University of Virginia while continuing to work full time. Students have an average of 12 years professional experience (7 minimum).

If you’d like to learn more, you can attend the MBA for Executives Open House at Darden on Saturday February 13. The day (10 am- 3pm) includes the opportunity to participate in a classroom discussion and meet current students, faculty, and staff.

Sign up / more info at:  www.darden.virginia.edu/mbaexec

Is It Right to Pray For Business (Part 2)

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My most recent On-Purpose^® Business Minute, Is It Right To Pray For Business, clearly struck a chord with many viewers as the public and private comments came pouring in. Drawing upon decades of business advisory and consulting services, I've worked with founders of Fortune 500 companies to floundering entrepreneurs. 

Because purpose is such a spiritual concept, matters of faith often arise in my work with leaders, so prayer is a natural outgrowth of these engaging relationships.   Allow me to share another insight gleaned from decades of praying with other Christian businesspersons.

Your insights and comments are always welcome.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Click here to subscribe to The On-Purpose Business Minute which is published every Thursday morning.

Are You Backed Up?

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I thought I was backed up, but I wasn't.  By the way, I'm talking computers here, not colons! You'll notice there is a production gap with the On-Purpose® Minute and On-Purpose Business Minute as a result.  On January 20, my hard drive crashed and I soon discovered that my Time Machine back-up hadn't backed up since Nov. 11, 2009. It was my fault because I must have changed the schedule.

What appeared at first to be a true loss is being transformed into a real win.  Watch and let me know your thoughts.

On the practical side of backing up your data, here are links to virtual back-up services for your hard drive back-up needs.  I can't make a recommendation yet, but I'm sharing some of the services I'm researching.

www.Carbonite.com    www.Mozy.com    www.IDrive.com    www.sosonlinebackup.com        www.backupmyinfo.com

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Want to send me present?  How about a 2TB Time Capsule!  The 1TB will work too! ;)

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Are You In A Critical Condition?

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Looking around it can get pretty discouraging.  Honest skepticism and discernment is always at a premium, yet as of late with bad news abounding, I find myself (and others) falling prey to being hypercritical and running into a negative streak.  The effect is compounding and self-fulfilling.  

Today's On-Purpose^® Minute offers some hope and a couple suggestions for turning your critical condition into a healthy state of being.  It isn't easy, but it outshines the alternative.

Click here to subscribe to The On-Purpose Minute.  One is published every Tuesday morning.

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As much as I enjoyed watching NFL football this weekend, it just isn't the same without the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Is It Right To Pray For Your Business?

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Many of us grew up with a compartmentalized view of life.  The wisdom of the day went along these lines: "Your personal life is your personal life.   Your business life is your business life.  Don't co-mingle the two." 

There is a measure of merit in this.  As we advance from the industrial age to the knowledge age and head into the age of purpose and meaning, integration, not separation, is becoming more the norm. Central to each person's personal life is their faith.  If you are inclined to pray in your personal life, perhaps the role of prayer in your business life is a concept you've never considered. 

This On-Purpose® Business Minute explores the power of being "on the job" and praying for owners and employees alike. 

What do you think?  Is it right to pray for business?  Please post your answer in the comment section below.

Click here to subscribe to The On-Purpose Business Minute.  One is published every Thursday morning.