Get off the Sidelines

Part 1

I had never met Bill Quatman until he took the effort to introduce himself to me a few weeks ago. We still haven't meet face to face but after spending 30 minutes on the phone with him and getting the chance to talk to Bill, he seems to be an example of something that is very important in making the world go round and round. Action.

Bill is going to be the 2016 National Chair of the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA). I am going to be the 2016 National Chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Bill has taken it upon himself to find and introduce himself to others that are going to be in similar roles within the construction industry in 2016.

During our conversation and because Bill had tracked me down you could tell he is a man who doesn't believe actions should be left to others.

Willmar Electric has a stated purpose of being "People Making a Difference for People." You don't make a difference for people by standing on the sidelines. Sending in a check and hoping others will do the heavy lifting also doesn't work. If an organization is important enough to get your money (dues) the organization is important enough to invest your time and energy. Today Bill provide me with a very important reminder of that exact concept.

I hope DBIA and ABC can find common ground and work together because Bill is the kind of person you want on your side.

Part 2

Yesterday I had a very humbling experience that also involved getting involved rather than just standing on the sidelines.

Yesterday a friend of mine, let's call him Steve, pulled me aside and wanted to thank me for something I did 6 years ago.

Six years ago I gave Steve a book, "The Go-Getter." It is about 64 pages long. I give it to Steve because he is like the book's main character, Joe. Steve is a Go-Getter.

Steve inspires me in life. My very small way of letting Steve know I thought he was an inspiration was to give him this book.

How does Steve respond to my small gift?

He responded by sitting me down and letting me know what a big difference in his life my action made. He said it was done at just the right time. Exactly when he needed it the most.

I am glad that I took the time to get off the sidelines and take action. I would have never guessed my action were going to make difference at all. You want to be humbled? have one of your heroes say nice things about you.

I don't like hearing nice things about myself. I'm never having coffee with Steve again. When I told my wife, Sue what happened she was shocked. I told Sue my goal in life was to be half the man that Steve is.

Conclusion

As you might be able to guess my advice is get involved and be a person of action. Make a difference in the life of somebody else.