Airplanes need both SPEED and LIFT to climb into the air.

It takes science to explain how the air travels further over the top of the wing than the bottom of the wing resulting in the plane lifting into the sky.  It’s mysterious & invisible.  It involves a little bit of magic and is absolutely necessary if flight is the desired outcome.

If you’re looking to be successful in life, whether it’s as a band, company, employee, spouse, you’re going to need both speed and lift.  Sure we all can generate speed but until we create lift we’re just speeding down a runway while burning expensive fuel and limited time.

How to create lift

A band that puts up posters, builds a website, records an album, and hires a PR firm generates speed. The lift, however, comes from the way the songs and the live show affect the listener.  For most bands, they can determine if they have lift, before they spend any energy on creating speed. Bands that focus on creating the lift long before they worrying about speed will have a better chance to soar.

A small business that pays for logos, business cards, office space, and lawyers generates speed. The lift comes from the satisfaction customers have with the product.  Many times, that can be determined from a pilot test or a “beta test” approach.  A good friend of mine got his first customer before he even had a name for his company because he focused on creating a solid idea first and testing it out.  He created lift and then focused on speed.

A spouse that spends years telling his partner each day that she is “beautiful” generates speed. The LIFT comes when he takes the time to discover that her “Love Language” is Quality Time and he starts “planning a date night each week”.  Both gestures are welcomed, just one generates speed and one creates lift.

If you feel the wind in your face and are not feeling like your band, company or marriage is achieving flight, stop building more speed and start focusing on creating lift.

-Andy

Happy Wednesday Cruisers!

As we wind down for the holidays here at Sixthman, we can’t help but get caught up in the growing excitement for cruise season next year! We have been working hard to plan amazing activities and cruises for everyone and we can’t wait to get started. We wanted to leave everyone with a little holiday message and we hope you all have a wonderful holiday and new years.

See you in 2011

-Your Friends at Sixthman

The Night Before Christmas: Sixthman Style

“Twas the night before Winter Cruise season, when all through the loft
Not a sixthman was stirring, not even a pup;
Cruise posters were hung on the round walls with care,
In hopes that the first cruise, would soon be here;

The team was nestled all snug in their desks,
While visions of living loud danced in their heads;
And Shags in her hoodie, and Minnie in her bed,
The call center was quiet, not a word need be said;

When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our nooks to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows we flew like a flash,
Tore open the garage door, the glass made a loud crash.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature cruise ship, and 7 tiny ships near!
With a very loud driver, so lively and so,
We knew in a moment it must be Grande Rojo

More excited than cruisers, through the office he came.
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now Rock Boat, now Simple Man, now Ships  & Dips and Cayamo!
On 311, on Kid Rock and Best Cruise Ever!

To the top of the Lido Deck! To the top of the Promenade!
Now sail away, sail away, sail away all!”

So down to Florida the cruise fleet flew,
With the 7 tiny ships and Grande Rojo too.
It was only but a minute, as we turned back around,
In the front door Grande Rojo came with a bound.

He was dressed in blue and khaki, from his head to his socks,
“Your cruisers” he said, “had me going nonstop!”
A bag of poker chips he flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes – how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his hair so cherry!
His mouth was drawn up with only a smile,
And the beard on his chin had been growing a while.

He had a broad face and skin full of freckles,
That shook when he laughed when the bands he did heckle.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave us the know, he’d come back again;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And sold the last cabins, then turned with a jerk,
He sprang to the cruise ship, and gave a loud “HEYYOOO”,
And away we all flew, down to board the first boat.

We all heard him claim, as he disappeared out of sight
“Happy Cruise Season to all, and to all a good night!”

If you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time to take a look.  As we prepare for the holidays in the office, we also take a little time out to get our creative juices flowing and write a little something for you.  We give you information on upcoming events, ponder about recurring events, and even throw in a little fun.  It’s our bi-annual newsletter, check it out!