Growing up, did you ever hear the phrase “try it, you might like it?”  Chances are you did and as it turns out, there’s a lot of truth in that statement.  Take note that it’s not “try it, you will like it.” It’s you “might” like it.  But the key point here is that you have to try it to know.  In our family, we call this “going to the end of the dock.” Let me provide an overly simplified real-life example.  I had always said I didn’t like brussel sprouts.  But the truth was, I’d never actually tried one.  I just assumed I didn’t.  Let’s face it – in the vegetable world, brussel sprouts have gotten a pretty bad rap.  But I was at a friend’s house for dinner recently and she made roasted brussel spouts.  So as to not be a rude guest, I stepped out of my vegetable comfort zone, went to the end of the dock and tried one.   And low and behold, I loved those little baby cabbages!  Now, much to my husband’s delight, they make a regular appearance on our dinner table. Turns out he has always liked them, but was being deprived due to my assumed dislike. 

So what’s my point?  Try something new!  Test the waters of the unknown at the end of the dock!  Been thinking about trying a new exercise class?  Do it.  Want to learn a new skill set for your job?  Take a class.  Want to meet new people?  Sign up with a networking group.  Want to give back to the community?  Volunteer.   Without fail, the rewards will outweigh the risk of putting yourself out there and you may even surprise yourself with what you can accomplish. 

At the end of the day, you may not like or be good at everything you try, but you will have broadened your horizons and learned more about yourself in the process.  But you also may end up finding something new and wonderful and will wonder where it’s been all your life and why you didn’t try it sooner.  You may even make someone else happy in the process…   

Everyone has a team.  Who is your team?  Now, I ask you as you read that question, who or what came to mind?  Maybe you thought of your work team?  Maybe you thought of your family, or a group of friends?  Anyone out there on a sports team and that is who you thought of? You might not even be on a sports team, but you are just a huge fan of a particular team.  (In case you don’t know, it’s the Dallas Cowboys, for me!)

Really what I want to talk about is those teams of which you are an active part.  You contribute – they contribute…you interact together for a common purpose.  Who is your team?  How do you use your team to improve your own situation?  Every team has multiple members, sometimes formal and sometimes informal, and each usually play a role.  Hopefully your team helps you be stronger – and you help them be stronger, too.

These days we all talk about networking. Business networking, personal networking…I think I hear something about networking every day. I know I said it myself at least 4 times today!  When you think about it, networking is just a chance to expand your team. And, it is perfectly fine to have many teams of which you are a part.

Once someone is on your team, how do you engage with them?  Are you telling them what they need to know for the team to be stronger and more successful? Are you putting is as much work on the team as the other team members – giving as good as you are getting?  Do you remember to show appreciation for your different team members and how they help you or the team? 

Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” So, when thinking about your life, take a moment today to appreciate your team – or your teams – and how you are helped along the way.

And, if you are on one of my teams, I thank you very much! 

Amy Ruth - On Twitter @alruthHR

I recently spent 5 days in Washington, DC with 40 fifth-graders.  It was an exhausting, but wonderful trip.  I visited new places, learned new things and ate at more buffets and went to more gift shops than I would like to admit.  When I came back, people asked what my favorite place was and I easily came up with an answer – The Library of Congress.  I had never been there before and it far exceeded my expectations.  For starters, it is unbelievably beautiful.  This is not your run of the mill dark, dreary library with a bunch of old stuff in it.  Well, there is a bunch of old stuff, but the art and architecture are stunning.  I could have spent a whole day there, but we were on a schedule and had places to go and of course had to make an all-important stop before we left – the gift shop.  And that’s where I found the best advice for life, written by one of the fathers of our country – Thomas Jefferson – on a postcard.  Ten simple rules that may apply in today’s world even more than they did in his day: 

1. Never put off until to-morrow what you can do to-day.
2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you earn it.
4. Never buy what you don’t want because it is cheap.
5. Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.
6. We seldom repent for having eaten too little
7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
8. How much pain the evils have cost us that have never happened.
9. Take things always by the smooth handle.
10. When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, count a hundred. 

In a world where we are bombarded with advertising, buying opportunities and BOGO’s galore, rules 3 and 4 are good reminders of basic fiscal responsibility.  Rules 1 and 2 seem to be precursors to the Nike slogan of 3 simple words “Just Do it.”  And for someone who has mastered the art of worry, I especially relate to #8.  I keep this postcard at my desk and try to remember that by following these 10 simple rules, life is so much easier.  What do you think?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Libby

On Twitter: @libbyakelly