November 2, 2009 Monday Mastermind Show

Friday, October 30th, 2009
by Joe

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I used to be an entertainer on a cruise ship. I did more than entertain. I did party games on deck with the guests as well as ran the gangway welcoming passengers on and off the ship throughout the day. I’ll never forget a funny experience I had when welcoming new guests on the ship the very first day.

 A woman stormed into the lobby after checking in and returning from her cabin. She went to the head of the line at the Pursers Desk (a pursers desk is like a hotel check in desk) and slammed her fist on the counter. She made it quite clear that she was upset and she wanted everyone to know it. Glaring at the purser she stated:

             “My husband and I saved three years for an ocean view cabin!”

 The Purser assumed the woman accidentally was placed in an interior cabin, one that doesn’t have a window. He learned this wasn’t the case as she continued…

 “When I got to my cabin I looked out the porthole and we have a view of the parking lot!”

 Everyone began to chuckle and then broke into an uproarious laughter. The woman couldn’t figure out why everyone was laughing. The Purser didn’t miss a beat, “Maam, in about four hours you will have the most spectacular view of the sun setting into the Caribbean Sea! I guarantee it! Yes, the boat moves!” Needless to say, she felt childish and laughed with the rest of us.

 My question to you is this, when a person visits your stateroom and looks out your porthole, what do they see? The crystal blue ocean or do they see a parking lot? This metaphor works so beautifully with regards to the person and the business. Start making change happen now if the view isn’t so spectacular.

 You have it within you to be great! It’s up to you, parking lot or ocean?

 Joe Kiedinger