Robert Van Arlen

This past week my Igniter group made our annual field trip to the Veteran’s hospital. We wanted to go prior to Valentine’s Day to show our appreciation. We were honored to spend time with our service men and women. The most important thing I learned was the value of service. They were so proud to have served our country. What change could we bring about if everyone had that same passion? We listened, gave a few gifts and learned the value giving once again.

Every day I hear about the economy and how bad things are.  I’m often asked whether it has impacted my business.  The answer is, yes, it has.  I have the choice of focusing on losses and letting fear takeover, or focusing on what I can control.  I’ve decided that I can should focus on what I can control, which is finding new opportunities.  Now is the time to eliminate the box and dream big.  I feel certain that I’m one business opportunity away from a life-changing event.  I’ll keep you informed.

Legal administrators have one the most challenging and pressured filled jobs in their industry, but a couple of weeks ago I found out that they have rhythm.  Approximately 400 legal administrators gathered for their regional conference in Austin, Texas to discuss and learn the latest trends affecting their work.  I challenged them to lead the passion drive in their firms by becoming igniters.  They accepted the challenge and demonstrated their commitment to excellence with rhythmic performance that I will not soon forget.

A few weeks ago I mentioned the fact that I was going to have a special visitor in town, and I’m happy to report he made it.  My father and I confirmed that it had been 40 years since we last saw each other.  Once my emotions settled down, I realized that a great deal of who we are comes from our parents.  I knew my father was a musician when I was growing up, and I believe that’s what inspired me to want to learn how to play.  I was thrilled to learn that he is the organist at his church, just as was I during my teens and twenties.  I was able to share with him my process of helping individuals and organizations grow through the power of music.  Clearly, the most fun we had during his visit was the jam session we had together. Powerful!

This week I’m heading to LBS Financial Credit Union to ignite their team in the Music of Service Excellence.  This credit union prides itself on being a vital part of the community, and its leadership believes all employees contribute to excellence.  A couple of days later R and A CPA’s will participate in an all-day retreat to recharge their staff.  It is a pleasure learning about the commitment this firm has to its client.  I finish the week as the keynote speaker at the Phenomenal Women – Arise conference.  The Phenomenal Women seminar was designed to build concepts addressing the restoration of one’s self–mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well as discovering leadership strengths, which MUST be applied to every area of life in order to completely become Phenomenal Women!  I’m ignited already.

Just a few weeks ago I was invited to Maryland to speak to the IC.  As with all of my speeches, I always wonder how my audience will feel about the level of engagement they will encounter.  From the start to the finish, the audience created music and rhythm which illustrated their connection to a unified goal: National Security.

The HR community is facing new challenges with the economic challenges the country is facing, but you would never know it in Reno.  The Nevada State SHRM conference provided leaders in their field the latest trends and developments, plus the opportunity to network with others.  I decided to focus my message on how HR Professionals can increase their value to the organization.  I thoroughly believe that HR Professionals are at the front lines helping individuals and organizations navigate through the challenges to find new opportunities.  Growth will come by finding and developing talent within the organization.

This past week while repairs were being completed at my home,  I checked myself into the Sanctuary Spa and Resort.  For me it’s a home away from home, as service is given with smile and a wow.  Once again this resort, nestled on Camelback Mountain, provided the tranquility I needed, while dealing with quick relocation.  At this point I’ve counted over a dozen examples of how individual staff members have found ways to excel in customer service.  Love it!

It’s been almost 40 years, but I’m excited to reconnect with the man that a lot of my talents came from.  In just a few days, my father is coming to visit, and I’m so excited.  I’m going to manifest a celebratory reunion that will impact my life and his for the rest of our lives.  I can’t wait to sit down with him at the piano and share the music we both have written and perform over the last 30 years. 

My plan this morning was to write as much as possible….but some days plans have to change.  A few days ago I noticed that a leak in my condo had expanded along the entire span of the wall.  I thought to myself: it can’t be that big of a deal.  Just few hours later, however, I was told that I should prepare to evacuate as soon as possible because the mold removal company would be coming in to remove toxic matter that may have grown by the leak.  I grabbed as much as I could and got out of the way.  I moved into a hotel, set up a make-shift office and decided to make the best of things.  I never dreamed I’d have to go through this–the condo is new! Still, there’s got to be something to learn here…