Finding a Comfort Zone

What happens when you see something in a place it shouldn't be? Often times we get so used to seeing certain things we don't realize when we see it in a different location. For example this sign...you would expect to see this street sign in New York City but when I took this photo I was a long way from New York. At first I drove by and didn't even think twice, then suddenly I said, "Wait, I'm not in New York - why is there a Bronx Ave?" Now, for those that know me, you understand how I would certainly think that is a great idea, to bring a little of "the five boroughs" to other corners of the country. No matter how great an idea, the sight is still a little surprising at times.

While the sign was a little surprising it was a also slightly comforting. When traveling on the road its nice to find solace in familiarity: your favorite restaurant spotted in an unknown city or a song that you like being played on local radio. These things bring a little "piece of home" with you as you travel, and act as a reminder of how much better life is when surrounded by what you enjoy.

In business the same is true and you will also always perform better when you are comfortable:


How much more productive are you when working with friends or people with whom you get along well?

Isn't your office or work space full of pictures or personal artifacts?

Don't you search for the perfect, most comfortable chair since you could potentially be sitting in it for 8 hours a day?


So many times employees and employers lose sight of the importance of being "comfortable" and "happy" while working. When people are in a relaxed environment where they feel free to be themselves and look forward to spending hours everyday they will most certainly be more productive: they will be willing to put in the extra effort to meet specific deadlines on time, share more constructive ideas during brainstorming sessions, or even be a more agreeable co-worker! Sometimes it is not easy to find the co-worker with whom you mesh completely, but when you do the results will be worth the effort.

Everywhere you go be on the lookout for ways to surround yourself with what you know - and enjoy - the most...you may surprise yourself by what you find!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

Don't Forget to Prepare...

Spring is almost here! After a winter that seemed relentless the temperatures are finally rising and the sun is shining a little brighter! With the change of seasons comes a change in lifestyle: long afternoon walks, an energetic bike ride, sweet pink and yellow lemonade, and trips to the local "farm stand".

I came across this vacant stand in front of a local farm recently - a welcome sight on a day when I felt like Spring was never going to arrive. The morning had started out so rainy and cold - not cool, but cold - that I had packed a wool hat when leaving for a shoot. By the afternoon the clouds had broken and the sun was warming up the air. I was in the middle of thinking about all of the things I enjoy about Spring - including the fresh fruits and vegetables - when suddenly I passed this farm stand! I said, "Now, there's a clear sign that the season is changing."

By the looks of things, "opening day" is still a few weeks off, but everyone needs time to prepare. It appeared that some necessities were already stocked, including bales of hay to be sold and possibly buckets for the food. In order to be a success right from the first day, care has to be taken to ensure everything is organized: deciding what exactly will be sold, who will work when, where will the stand be located to guarantee visibility but also allow for customers to pull over and shop, and of course pricing. This is definitely the time of year for preparation.

For many businesses, not just farm stands, the "busy season" is just beginning and there are probably so many things that have to be done so they are prepared. While all of this organizing can be overwhelming, due to the tiny details that must be considered, it can also be very exciting:


What changes take place for you with the coming of Spring?

Are you offering news products or services to coincide with the new season?

Have you set new goals, or adjusted old ones, for the new quarter?

Are you clearing out the office of old, unnecessary paperwork?


Without taking the necessary time to prepare there is good chance you will not be as successful. The extra time you spend, initially, will pay off greatly at the end of the day!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?


PS - For more signs of Spring visit Golden Pepper Productions on Facebook!

Strength in Spontaneity...

Creativity is so spontaneous! A person cannot plan when a creative idea will hit them: the perfect inspiration for a story, the ideal image for a photo, or the best location to paint a picture. When these creative juices start flowing there is usually no way to stop them and if someone waits to act on that inspiration, the later efforts will be in vain - there is no way to reproduce creativity.

On a beautiful, sunny afternoon I came across a "traveling artist". Katie was on an extended roadtrip around the Northeast and New England states, just traveling from town to town, experiencing each region and painting pictures. As she passed this brightly painted house she suddenly knew that was her "location" - she had to capture that old house on canvas! If she had waited the sun would have moved, the shadows would be different and the moment would have been lost. If she had waited her inspiration would have been gone and the painting not as she originally imagined it to be.


How often in life do you wait for the ideal moment to act, only to find you have missed your opportunity?

How many times have great ideas come to you at the spur of the moment - usually your best ideas?

Have you ever "taken to the road" to see what you will experience?


Sometimes during the work day you need to just get away - change your surroundings and see what great ideas will start to flow. Even though everything, for the most part, is easily accessible when I'm sitting at my desk, occasionally I like to work someplace else. During the summer I like to go sit outside and take in the warm, sunny weather; when the temperature drops I remain inside but work someplace other than my office. I follow these spontaneous urges because they usually lead to my best work - especially when I am editing and need to be creative. If I force myself to sit at my desk and work, even though I want to be sitting outside at a picnic table, I won't be very productive.

Spontaneity even goes beyond where you physically work and reaches into how you approach business. Just like this artist with her painting, or me when I am capturing video, sometimes you have to act in the moment. While at a networking event, if you see someone you have wanted to meet simply walk over and introduce yourself; or if you have a great new idea of how to expand business sit down and start developing it...don't wait a couple days, by that time the excitement has subsided! Like I said, sometimes being spontaneous leads to your best ideas.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

PS - To view more pictures of this "traveling artist" at work or learn more about her paintings visit Golden Pepper Productions on Facebook!

Finding Your Place...

Yes, another duck! I can't really say that I was ever a huge fan of these animals, but lately they have definitely provided me with some good entertainment. They seem to have personalities that shine through in their quirky, humorous behavior.

One recent, cold morning I came across this duck relaxing ever so quietly in the shade. It was sitting so still I had to look closely to make sure that it was actually alive! On a day when the only thing separating me from frost-bite was a few of the sun's rays, this duck was willingly sitting in the shade. I couldn't believe it - I said to myself, "That duck must have an extra thick coat of feathers. How else could it sit in the looming shadow of a building when the temperature was well below freezing!" Slowly, I crept closer to snap a picture but the duck barely moved. It was hardly concerned that I was encroaching on its territory and practically ignored me.

Then I had a sudden realization: this duck was completely comfortable with its place in life...in the shade of this building and in relation to gawking humans!

Everybody and everything desires its own place in the world and is not satisfied till this specific locale is uncovered. For this particular duck, the shady brick path was the best place to relax early in the morning. I may not understand how or why it could sit on the coldest part of the path, but who am I to question? It was also confident enough in its ability to defend itself that there was no need to squirm or worry as I walked closer. This confidence and self-assurance are ideals that should be practiced by every business professional, no matter the industry. People need to find where they are most comfortable within their career or company and work to achieve that position, no matter what dissenters might say. Once this goal is achieved, they will be much happier, productive workers. At the same time, people should remain confident that they can handle any situation and not be willing to cave to outside intimidation - much like the duck.


In what work environment are you most comfortable?

What role best suites your personality and interests?

Are you satisfied and confident in the work you produce everyday?

What slight changes could be made to make the workday even more enjoyable?


The important thing to remember is that everyone's comfort zone is slightly different. Just like the duck was happy sitting on cold bricks in the shade, you may find joy in an equally, unlikely location - but don't let anyone talk you out of it!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?