November 17, 2014

Failure Should Not be a Dirty Word

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might has well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.”       ~J. K. Rowling 

While watching the Blood Moon eclipse this morning I was reminded about an experience I had this past weekend. Perhaps that was due to the fact that it was dark and peaceful outside, and my mind was allowed to wander. Whatever the reason though, I wondered again, why the word “failure” strikes fear into the hearts many.

One of the things I enjoy doing in my personal life, is to lead future generations through the lessons taught in scouting. I am a scout leader for both of my children – Boy Scouts as well as Girl Scouts. Lessons in failure, perseverance and overcoming obstacles are commonplace. So too, are those lessons about winning. So when sitting in an adult training session last weekend, we were asked, “What types of things make for a successful outing?” One of my answers was ,”Sometimes I have allowed the kids to fail, and in doing so I may illustrate some of the pillars of scouting.” (Which happen to also be life lessons.)

The room fell silent, and I received many icy stares which caused a cold rush of fear to wash over me. The reactions throughout the room were pretty amazing. The facilitator then icily responded, “We don’t call it failure, we call it learning from mistakes.”

Yes that is true, however there is nothing wrong with using the word failure. Would I use that word with the kids? Probably not, but a failure is still the opportunity to learn and can be a fun challenge to overcome. I realized this morning that the same can be said in business. Failure should not be a dirty word for my clients!

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

So many times clients are put off when hearing the word “failure”, when they really shouldn’t. Marketing failure is going to happen. Whether you are creating a new ad strategy, trying something new on social media, running new creative or creating a new brochure, there will be hits and misses. 

“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”      ~ Bill Gates 

Failure only happens when we give up. Failure happens when we don’t learn from our mistakes. Failure in marketing happens only when we walk away without tweaking the creative. Yes one could say simply stating that “learning from our mistakes” should be used, or that we can use the term “challenges”, “obstacles” or otherwise, but the word “failure” should not be considered a dirty word. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it! Do you think that “failure” should be banished as a word used in business?

“You make mistakes. Mistakes don’t make you.” ~Maxwell Maltz

November 14, 2014

Black Friday Kids Activity


Are you working or shopping on Black Friday? Need something fun for the kids to do? Check out this great opportunity for a Black Friday Mini-Camp with Peachy Fitness and Bricks4Kiz Ann Arbor. To register: http://peachyfitness.com/register-for-class/

November 10, 2014

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Fox Theatre: Win Tickets

Win tickets to see Cirque Dreams Holidaze December 16, 8:00 p.m.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2014 holiday season when it returns to the Fox Theatre, December 16-20. Tickets for this amazing show start at $34 and are on sale now at OlympiaEntertainment.com, The Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices and at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. 
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is an original musical extravaganza of ornaments that re-imagines the holiday season. With over 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 performers from 12 countries showcasing an endless variety of imaginative, heart-pounding and gravity- defying feats there will be something to dazzle and entertain each member of your family. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires along with snowmen, icemen and penguins, balancing, jumping and spinning in disbelief.  The show celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, choreography and exciting production numbers.  Performers twirl, bounce and soar thru the air to original music and seasonal favorites brought to life within a stage setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering trees & soldiers creating a wonderland of amazement. 

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Performance Schedule: 
Tuesday, December 16 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 17 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 18 - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 19 - 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.       
Saturday, December 20 - 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. 

Want to win free tickets to Cirque Dreams Holidaze? The Ann Arbor Mom blog will award 1 lucky indiviual a family 4-pack of tickets for the December 16 perfomance. All you need to do is to comment below on why this show would be an amazing gift for your family. 

All entries must be submitted no later than midnight on November 21. A random winner will be chosen from all entries on November 22.

November 1, 2014

Junior Chef Classes at Local Williams-Sonoma

Do you have a budding chef on your hands? A picky eater? A child who is thtrilled when watching Cutthroat Kitchen? Williams-Sonoma has complimentary Junior Chef classes each Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in November. The free Williams-Sonoma Junior Chef classes have a limited class size so be sure to call coon to register. Most classes are suitable for kids ages 9-13 unless noted otherwise.


November 1
Thanksgiving Helper - Soup Please! Learn to make a delicious butternut squash soup with crispy herbed  croutons.

November 8
Thanksgiving Helper - Mash Potatoes. Learn how different potatoes make mashed potatoes. 

November 15
Thanksgiving Helper - Decorating Pies.  Learn how to make a lattice top pies with cutouts, sugar crystals and other finishing touches. Suitable for ages 5–13.

Williams-Sonoma
808 Briarwood Cir,
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone:(734) 665-1500