This is our dog, Molly. You couldn’t pack more life into a 15 pound package. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking this is going to be one of those “dogs are like zen masters”-type posts, a la Marley and Me. Well, you’re right.
I could talk about how she is always glad to see us, how she has her priorities in order (food, sleep, walk, play, protect, and don’t worry about anything else), or any number of other lessons she teaches us. Or I could talk about how Molly is helping get us ready to be parents (less than two months now!).
But today I was appreciating how Molly keeps us in a routine. “Routine” is usually disparaged; we think of the daily grind, of punching the clock, of the boring tedium of doing the same thing over and over. But with Molly, I’ve learned to enjoy the routine of our daily walks. We live in the city without much of a yard, so we’re compelled to take her out first thing in the morning, at least once during the day, and then right before bed at night. There’s never any forgetting that routine, because Molly reminds us when it’s time for her walk.
The routine reveals the subtle changes of the seasons in unexpected ways, it unveils hidden details we would have missed just rushing past, and it creates an anchor in our day when everything else seems unhinged. Over the last few weeks, I’ve noticed the green shoots of daffodil bulbs slowly emerge.
Molly changes her habits according to the seasons, too. During the fall and spring, she’d walk until she collapsed, if it were up to her. Her curiosity is insatiable. During the coldest weeks of winter, though, she’s a homebody. I’m hardpressed to get her to go more than a block before Molly begins tugging on the leash toward home.
Not her natural element
Choosing Tile without a Sample is Like Picking a Husband from a Catalog
On Thursday I was visiting Status Ceramics dealers in Central Ohio, and met Carlo Odella of Europamerican Tile. A CPA by trade, Carlo had given up the suit and tie to become a tile guy, over 23 years ago. Over the course of two decades, he’s amassed quite a bit of wisdom and know-how when it comes to tile, and he shares it freely with his clients.
My favorite bit of advice was the inspiration for the title of this post, as we have learned in our own showroom in Seattle. Carlo also talked about how selecting tile is like getting a prescription for glasses. The doctor starts with a wide range of lenses and slowly narrows in on the correct prescription. Do you find that with your clients?
I was also reminded of a fundamental rule for business: It’s all about relationships. Carlo may not have the fanciest showroom, but he understands the value of building a relationship with his customer. One couple visiting the showroom related why they stopped in. “Carlo, you saved our friends from having to redo their kitchen tile job by finding a solution that worked for them.” Sounds like the kind of referral that comes from building a good relationship with your customer–a lesson for all of us.