Enjoying a nice breakfast at The Knick in downtown Milwaukee. I'm reminded I need to sip my coffee, and my life, slowly. It's all hotter than I expect, and yet I have enough...if I slow down to enjoy it.

Otherwise I have too much.

Savor the moment. Sip slowly. Enjoy it all. At your own pace.

As I get older, sometimes I forget to slow down and enjoy the moment. Today, I remembered. I was at Mall of America, and I got my picture taken with Sharky, the official mascot of MOA.

I'm sharing this to remind myself of a few important points.

1. Life is still fun. It's my choice to find the fun in everything and everyone.

2. Take time to enjoy the moment. Instead of worrying about all that needs to get done when I get back home, I enjoyed the day I shared with my girlfriend.

3. Time is finite yet relative. I realize I only have so many hours in a day. We all do. Yet, it's very relative. Rather than be a legalist about when things "should" start, I'm trying to go with the flow and let others set the pace.

Little lessons, to be sure, but important ones. Now I'd you'll excuse me, I have a wedding reception to attend.

Who knew? Only at General Mitchell International field.

Guess I missed the diacombobulation necessary to use these facilities.

96 more days until I can enjoy more sunsets.

But who's counting (besides me)?

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com

Recently I was challenged to think about what advice I'd give a 6th grader. I think the advice is just as good whether you're in 6th grade or 60 years old. I hope you agree.

My advice for a 6th grader

Play around as much as you can until you find out what makes you happiest. Do that until it doesn't make you happy anymore, then do something else.

Surround yourself with people who love you enough to tell you bad news in a good way, and who will support you even when they don't agree with you.

Ask why not me often, and don't believe anyone who can't tell you a real reason, not just because that's the way it's always been.

Be forever curious about learning new things and trying new things.

Live in the right now, knowing that right now will shape your tomorrow.

Don't do anything you'd be embarrassed your grandmother found out you did.

Love people with all your heart, even though they will hurt you and disappoint you.

Have fun. Smile often. Play fair. Make your own rules. Share with those who need some of what you've got.

Above all else, know that much of why things are the way they are is because of how you are viewing the situation so if you don't like the way something appears, change the way you're looking at it.

None of this would have made sense to me when I was in 6th grade but it all makes sense to me now.

What advice would YOU offer a 6th grader? Is it any different than what you'd tell a 60 year old?

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com

Photo credit:

Been thinking about my upcoming departure from corporate America a lot lately. It's starting to sink in that soon, I will have to kill what I eat and leave the relative security of a steady paycheck, something I've grown accustomed to the last 18+ years.

I have two types of friends and family members: those who are excited with me for the new challenge and those who wonder if I've completely lost my mind.

Guess who I'm listening to? The supportive friends and family, of course.

That's of course for me, because I know I'm doing the right thing. I've been building my platform for the past 5 years, writing articles, doing free and reduced fee speaking engagements, built a strong network around me, and even wrote 2 books. It's easier to listen and to take a risk when you've mitigated many of the risks.

When I was in 8th grade, I had a guidance counselor who tried to keep me down. He told me I'd never amount to much and that I should settle for working at The gas station or maybe if I was lucky I'd get a factory job.

I worked my tail off in high school, focusing on getting good grades and working nearly full-time with some amazing people who encouraged me to go after my dreams.

Guess who I listened to?

I graduated with a 3.25 GPA and joined the Navy right after high school...and I never looked back. After 4 years, I started college and eventually got my bachelor's degree in computer science. I achieved more than most thought possible because I listened to the right people. You probably have these two different people in your life too.

Who do you listen to?

The naysayers, who wouldn't take a risk if their life depended on it?

Or those who have your back, who take the time to know all the work you've put in and who are rooting for you to succeed?

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com

Today I went to the VA hospital to visit an old friend I should have done a better job keeping in contact with the last 10 years. I'm glad I did before it was too late to say goodbye.The photo above is of he and I.

I worked with Chris at Strong Investments for a few years before 9/11. Chris was always the happy guy everyone wanted to have lunch around and to share a cup of coffee with. When I got in a funk, I would walk down by Chris' cube and he always would have a way to put things in perspective for me.

So a few weeks ago when I learned Chris had been transferred to hospice care at the VA hospital in town, I knew I needed to make time to see him.

I called last weekend because I wanted to see how he was doing. I expected the worst and I was pleasantly surprised by his happy demeanor. He was happy to hear from me, and spent 15 minutes asking about me. The time went fast.

Today I got in my car and headed south to see Chris. I'm embarrassed to admit I thought this would be a place full of poor veterans and much sadness and I was planning o spend just 15 minutes with my old pal before I made some lame excuse about the meaningless stuff I had to do.

Instead, I found helpful people who helped me locate my buddy's room, and a Chris I didn't expect. He was sitting up in a chair and was smiling and waiting for me.

I asked Chris about his condition, his family and how he was holding up. He said something to me that will stick with me forever.

Chris said: "Phil, I'm living out my purpose. I'm reminding every visitor I have they need to use their gifts to help the world be a better place. That is what we are all built to do. To share our purpose, to share our gift. Maybe you can remind people about that too."

Numbly, I nodded I would.

Not much after that Chris tired, and I promised I would come back and visit next month.

Find your purpose.

Mine is sharing stories like this, to encourage you to face your purpose, to share who you are with everyone you meet.

Don't wait until it's too late.

Thanks for the lesson Chris. See you soon pal.

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com

I have a problem. It's a problem I've had my whole life, or at least my whole adult life.

It's that nasty F word.

No, not THAT F word.

One that's much worse for your career.

The F word I'm talking about is FOCUS.

Focus is really a hard thing for me to do. Heck as I type this, I am playing a video game with my girlfriend. I have a hard time focusing on things in front of me, in my career, and in my life.

So this year I swear it's going to be different. I am quitting my day job this year to FOCUS on growing my speaking business. 

Now the hard part: what topic should I focus on, to reach the audience I am most passionate about: servant managers and leaders.

My choices are customer service, social media, management and emotional intelligence. I'm working on something that will touch all parts of the equation.

I believe social media will soon become the only media, to reach customers, employees and to connect employees to management and their companies.

Does this make any sense? Or is this just me using the F word in the wrong way again?

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com

2010 is going to be different from anything I've ever experienced before for a lot of reasons.

First, I'm leaving corporate America on May 31st, to fend for myself as a solopreneur. My focus will be on professional speaking, small-medium business consulting, and training for organizations that don't have a training department.

Secondly, I am hoping to sell my house, which means a move is in my future. Not my favorite thing in the world, but I don't want the high expenses that come with home ownership.

Last but not least is the overall life slimdown I want to do this year. I want to lose 50 pounds in the next 5 months, and I want to eliminate as much debt as possible before I leave the day job.

I'm working on a formal business and marketing plan as the date gets closer, a skinny version really. And this will become the place I think about things out loud and share my feelings as I prepare for the big transition.

I am using Posterous to learn a new tool, so this format may evolve over time.

Phil Gerbyshak
http://philgerbyshak.com