Lindemann Chimney Supply: Newsletter December 2005

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Lindemann Chimney Supply sells wholesale only to the chimney and hearth industry.

December 2005

Max Out!

It's that time of year when it's easy to think about quitting. Pulling up short. Throwing in the towel. Walking away. Whether or not we admit it, all of us have wanted to do these things.

It's time to “hang in there” and just stay focused and finish the year strong. A good example of how to reach your goals is Jon Gruden the coach of the Super Bowl XXXVII champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

One of Gruden's favorite terms is Max Out. He asked his players to max out for him, and he's not afraid to do the same for them. He is very disciplined, so much so, he is up and in his office by four o'clock every morning. The results speak for themselves. He is the youngest coach in the NFL and has enjoyed great success, both as the coach of the Buccaneers and as coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Gruden believes in making the most of every day he has on earth: “At the end of the day, I just want to feel I have done everything I can to get the most out of the day.” Most successful people we know work with a “max out” attitude.

Don't Be A Martyr!

How do we max out? Tough question. Needless to say we all make sacrifices and trade-offs in our relationships and family lives. Most of these sacrifices are well worth it.

But, as with most things (including good things), too much is too much!

Obviously, the tolerance levels to stress, responsibility, lack of sleep, sacrifices, hardship and everything else are going to vary from person to person. In other words, something that is super easy for you might be quite difficult for someone else-and vice versa. However, if we can pay attention to, and be honest about our feelings, each of us knows when the level of stress has risen too high. When it does, we usually feel incredibly frustrated. We may feel a little self-righteous and convince ourselves that we are working harder than other people and that we have it tougher than everyone else.

Many of us have fallen prey to the seduction of becoming a martyr. It's easy to have this happen

because, there is often a fine line between working hard out of actual necessity and overdoing it out of perceived necessity.

The sad truth is however, that no one actually benefits from or appreciates a martyr. To himself, a martyr is his own worst enemy---constantly filling his head with lists of things to do and always reminding himself how difficult his life is. This mental ambush saps the joy from his life. And to the people around him, a martyr is an overly serious complainer who is too self-absorbed to see the beauty of life. Rather than feeling sorry for him as a victim, as the martyr would love to see happen, outsiders usually see the martyr's problems as being completely self-created. If you think you have martyr tendencies, we urge you to give them up! Rather than spending 100 percent of your energy working, or doing things for other people, spend a few minutes every day doing something just for yourself. You will be amazed how much you will start enjoying life, experience more energy and have a lot less stress.

WGCSS Educational Seminar

We are looking forward to joining the Wisconsin Guild again this January 20-21 to attend the Ellen Rohr seminar. This renowned financial expert will analyze a chimney company's financial statement and learn how to price for profit. Email Kurt at stack@execpc.com for more information.

Appreciation!

All of us here at Lindemann Chimney Supply, try to max out for each other and every one of our customers, and at the end of every day we want to feel like we have provided the best and most personal service possible. Helping you become successful is the only way that we can be successful. We appreciate your business, and you have our promise that we will

never take it for granted.

From all of our family to yours, we wish you a very peaceful and happy holiday season, followed by a healthy and prosperous new year.