We are currently facing a global economic crisis and there is little in the news that offers short term relief.  Even the drop in oil prices and gasoline costs is somewhat offset by other economic indicators.  We know that the hospitality industry is resilient, overall in strong operating posture and that we will return to success but these remain trying times.

We are all often barraged with emails that are parts of a chain of frequently confusing messages.  I do not ever forward them along, but like CBS television’s Andy Rooney, I do find some of them amusing.  I also find others reflective and I am sharing this in a holiday week that is celebrated in the US.   I do not know the author as the message was passed along to me in an anonymous chain email, but there is some sound advice in the words.   Implement those that you can.

1.  Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2.  Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.  Buy a DVD tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4.  When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ _ today.'
5.  Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6.  Play more games and read more books than you did this year.
7.  Make time to pray, practice meditation, yoga, and Tai chi. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8.  Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9.  Dream more while you are awake.
10.  Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11.  Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12.  Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13.  Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14.  Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15.  Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16.  Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17.  Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18.  Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20.  Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21.  You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23.  Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
26.  Forgive everyone for everything.
27.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
28.  GOD CAN heal everything - it's up to Her or Him though, if S/He will.  Whatever or whoever you believe God is
29.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30.  Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32.  Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33.  The best is yet to come.
34.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35.  Do the right thing!
36.  Call your family often.
37.  Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'I am thankful for __________.' Today I accomplished _________.
38.  Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39.  Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. 

May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door! 
Giving thanks – and not just one day each year! 

Feel free to share an idea at johnjhogan@yahoo.com anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops or speaking engagements.  Autographed copies of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD – a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES can be obtained from THE ROOMS CHRONICLE  www.roomschronicle.com and other industry sources. 

All rights reserved by John Hogan.   This column may be included in an upcoming book on hotel management.

John Hogan’s professional experience includes over 35 years in hotel operations, food & beverage, sales & marketing, training, management development and asset management on both a single and multi-property basis.  He holds a number of industry certifications and is a past recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Pearson Award for Excellence in Lodging Journalism, as well as operational and marketing awards from international brands.  He has served as President of both city and state hotel associations.

John’s background includes teaching college level courses as an adjunct professor at three different colleges and universities over a 20 year period, while managing with Sheraton, Hilton, Omni and independent hotels.  He was the principal in an independent training & consulting group for more than 12 years serving associations, management groups, convention & visitors’ bureaus, academic institutions and as an expert witness.  He joined Best Western International in spring of 2000, where over the next 8 years he created and developed a blended learning system as the Director of Education & Cultural Diversity for the world’s largest hotel chain. 

He has served on several industry boards that deal with education and/or cultural diversity and as brand liaison to the NAACP and the Asian American Hotel Owners’ Association with his ongoing involvement in the Certified Hotel Owner program.  He has conducted an estimated 3,100 workshops and seminars in his career.  He served as senior vice president for a client in a specialty hotel brand for six years.

He has published more than 350 articles & columns on the hotel industry and is co-author (with Howard Feiertag, CHA CMP) of LESSONS FROM THE FIELD – a COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE HOTEL SALES, which is available from a range of industry sources and AMAZON.com.  He resides in Phoenix, Arizona and is finalizing his 2nd book based on his dissertation –     The Top 100 People of All Time Who Most Dramatically Affected the Hotel Industry.
 

Dr. John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE
johnjhogan@yahoo.com