Women Supporting Women

I'm a huge fan of humans supporting each other in general, but today I'd like to talk about some women out there hustling for the dream. I'm constantly inspired by women who are able to take their passions and turn them into a business. From blogging to designing, their talents are endless and their drive a fire that's hard to match. Check out some women I know and some I don't (but fan girl over anyways).

Brains Over Blonde (Blogger)

One of my babe squad members sent me to Anna's IG and from there I started reading her blog. Anna is fiercely female and refuses to compromise her femininity or her status as a boss. She's insanely honest, transparent, and relatable.

Castlefield Design (Luxury Branding)

I went to college with Sophie. She's this super educated, aware, and involved (and gorgeous to boot) woman who also happens to be a talented designer. From stationary to clothing to packaging and logos, she does it all. What's better than a custom design that's fresh for your business/event/style?

Lisa Bone Designs (Artist)

Lisa has been a close family friend since as long as I can remember. She's a very talented ceramic artist who sells and shows in galleries in Northern California. She is the one who helped get my mom to discover her passion for making pottery and she's just an incredible human.

Miranda Baugh (Photographer) 

I met Miranda through friends and instantly fell in love with this freaking dope woman. She is now a budding photographer who often utilizes her ridiculously adorable (and sassy) daughter as a subject. Her photos focus on the spirit of people and their life experiences. If you're in AZ, check her out for a shoot. She's also dabbling with blogging and I can't wait to keep reading.

Lesley Murphy (Travel Blogger)

I came across Lesley on IG. She basically dropped everything and decided to travel the world for I believe close to three years. She now has a home base in LA for the first time in years. Her IG is envious with its stunning adventure photos and her posts are insightful. She highlights giving back and something I heavily relate to - she got a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer after testing positive for the BRCA gene. I love that she's real, seems to have a heart of gold, and she's living my dream life of experiencing all the world has to offer.

Raised By Wolves (Kid's Wear)

My cousin is a total craft genius. She can upcycle, reuse, and repurpose anything to make it DIY gold. She started Raised By Wolves to provide quality, eco friendly clothing and goods for kids and that same craft genius carries through this shop. She's boho meets world traveler meets amazing mama to the sweetest bear cub. Her shop features everything from clothing to books to toys to housewares. And she's big on keeping it local, ethical, yet always fabulous.

Ladies - who are your favorite female business owners or simply just women who inspire you and you crush on for how freaking awesome they are?

Professionally Social

I've met a lot of people lately who are either not on or do not utilize LinkedIn.  They don't see the value of another form of social media or they're not sure how to be socially active professionally.  I can confidently say that LinkedIn, when used correctly, is a huge resource for networking and seeking out business opportunities you might not have otherwise found.

Let's start with the basics:

LinkedIn is NOT Facebook

While LinkedIn is in fact another form of social media, it's intended for professional use.  Treat it as such  or you risk losing respect as a professional in the world of business.  Keep your profile picture appropriate.  Limit your posts to content that has to do with work.  Skip the emojis and selfies.  If you don't want your boss or the owner of your company seeing it, don't post it.  

Don't Add Contacts Just to Add Contacts

If you don't know someone or have not done business with them, do not click add.  Should you want to connect with someone because you think they would help you grow your network in a positive way, take the time to write a note about your intentions.  Who cares if you have 5,000 connections if they're not meaningful engagements.   

LinkedIn is NOT a Dating Site

It's entirely inappropriate to utilize LinkedIn as a dating service.  Do not hit on people.  Do not send unprofessional correspondence.  I respect people and their companies less if they choose to engage with me in any way that does not respect the boundaries of a professional interaction.  I've gone so far as to report someone to their company for sexual messaging.  Leave the romance to Bumble and don't risk making yourself or your company look bad.

Be Socially Active

Take the time to keep your profile up to date.  Spend time building your profile to represent who you are as a professional.  LinkedIn is an online resume, take it as seriously as you would the resume you send to companies you're applying to.  Additionally, engage in meaningful conversation, post content relevant to your industry, and build your brand through showcasing your work.  I check LinkedIn daily and try to post a few times a week.  It's allowed me to connect with people in my industry and gain feedback into my work.

Network Network Network

LinkedIn is for networking.  Never forget that it's an opportunity to engage with other professionals in a positive way.  Put yourself out there and connect with people who can help you grow.  Also be willing to provide growth for those around you.  And never forget to be authentic in how you build relationships or you won't find much success in networking overall.  

I've made some incredible connections on LinkedIn and even been offered legitimate roles.  It's an incredibly underutilized tool that can help you grow your career and build a strong personal brand.  And in a world where it's all about who you know, why wouldn't you want to give yourself every advantage possible?

Strong Sever.

As I get older, I am becoming the master of the strong sever.  That is - I am quick to end the games and cut someone out of my life.  From friendships to business to romance, I do not have time nor interest to play games.

There is obviously a bit of game play to everything in life.  There's holding back information, negotiating deals, and studying the other players in order to determine how to move forward.  That's not the game play I'm concerned about.  I'm speaking to the unnecessary games people play.  The recruiter who asks you what you've earned in previous roles.  The guy you're talking to who waits three days to call you back.  The friend who only calls you when they need something.  These people are beneath you and they are not worth your time.

I said it.  You're out of their league.  Do not settle for anyone, anything, any job/relationship/friend who plays these games with you.  Cut them off, wish them luck, move on.

The biggest source of stress and anxiety for most people is the company they keep and the relationships they have within their lives.  And the most control you have in any given situation - is to choose who you allow into your world.  If someone is playing games with you, beat them at it and simply remove them from your arena. 

For me - I've spent too much time in my personal life allowing men and some friends to play games with my heart and soul.  Specifically, I allow the benefit of the doubt far too many times.  I make excuses, I lean towards the assumption that all humans are good people with honest intentions.  And quite frankly, it's something I've allowed to affect my confidence and my sanity far too many times.

Realistically these people are not all bad people.  They're just not in a place to grow up and handle relationships in a respectful way.  And that's ok.  We have all been there.  More than once.

But in order to keep your sanity - you've got to let them go.  And truly let them go.  Don't stalk them on social media.  Do not drunk text them.  Do not get lonely or bored and open up the door to the relationships that broke you.  

People change, and maybe in the future you can have a successful healthy friendship or relationship.  But you teach people how they should treat you.  You show people what you will allow them to do to you.  Set your own standards and stay true to them.  

Standard cliché time?  Life really is far too short.  The world is far too large.  Don't waste time on the people who are willing to play games with you.  Whether you believe you come back or go to heaven or simply cease to exist - you really truly get one shot at this thing you're in right now and every second spent in misery, is one second you'll never get back.

I Don't Work in Sports.

As you know because you diligently read my blog, I have a bit of an obsession with sports.  I grew up an athlete and dreamed of working in sports for my entire life.  And for 8 years of my career, I worked in sports.  

Now - I indirectly work in sports.  I do a lot of events that take place at sporting venues and with athletes, but I do not consider what I do working in sports.

And that's weird.  

Everyone looks at the sporting world with envy.  They see the glitz and glam world meant for consumers and they assume that's what working in that world is like.  They're not entirely wrong.  I got to do some really cool things because of my job in athletics.  I've been on the sidelines at incredible games.  Sat on the floor in $15,000 seats.  Worked with the commissioner of the NBA.  Flown private with the team.  Enjoyed $5,000 dinners.  And man, was it all everything you could ever dream of and more.  Some of my bucket list has been fulfilled purely because of my job.

But there's also a dark side to the industry.  I experienced the lowest of lows in my life because of how I was treated by individuals in that world.  I lost passion for the world that raised me.  And certainly my experience is not every experience.  I've got some friends and colleagues still in the business who have felt nothing but joy for working in sports.  For me, it was not worth enduring the misery.  So I left.  After a lot of thought, fear, and doubt, I got out.

So what's it like to leave the world of sports?  A lot of people who are contemplating leaving ask me, is it worth it?  Does it get better?  Do you miss it?  The answer is I miss it all the time.  And there are moments I wish I was still part of the nucleus of my passion.  However, I now get to enjoy sports as a fan.  I get to go to games and debate the good and bad - without a stake in the game.  I don't have any rules that define what I talk about, what I say, I'm just a bitter 49er fan like the rest of you.

I now work for a marketing agency.  I work on big brands.  I still engage with celebrities and athletes.  I still plan some one of a kind events.  I get to check off my bucket list.  I travel a lot.  

Not working in sports has taught me that it's eerily similar to working in sports.  Granted, I don't work in a formal environment.  I'm not ever going to be in corporate America.  At my agency I have a less strict dress code than I did in sports.  The hours are more flexible.  I still travel to a lot of the big sporting events and am sitting at the big games.

Maybe I'll go back to sports one day.  Maybe I'll break into writing.  Maybe I'll go into entertainment.  I don't know what my future holds because I've stopped holding myself to this strict plan.  I go where I'm happy, where I'm learning, and where I'm passionate about the job.  Focus less on what you think you should be doing, what you planned for your whole life, and start listening to what gets you up and excited in the morning.  

Who cares if you worked in your dream industry if what you do isn't your dream.  Listen less to those calling what you do glamorous and listen more to what you define as the dream job.

Career Corner, Part 324856

Can we celebrate the fact that I remembered I was going to call these pieces on business "Career Corner?".  Today, on this episode of Career Corner, we are going to talk about email etiquette.  Something I've noticed lately is a lack of effective communication when it comes to emailing and it's due to:

Poor spelling and grammar

Inappropriately informal writing

Aggressive verbiage

Poor Spelling and Grammar

Nothing makes me cringe faster than seeing misspelled words or improperly formatted sentences.  This is the most basic effort you can show when composing an email.  Your computer even helps you with the spelling.  When I read an email with more than one spelling or grammar mistake, my respect for that person's work ethic drastically declines.  If the person is young, I can already tell they're not committed to hard work.  If they're older and more experienced, I question if they value how they engage with those around them.  Do a spell check, review your formatting - if you don't have time to do this basic task, you're not setting yourself up for success.

Inappropriately Informal Writing

I'm not a formal person.  Not at work, not in my personal life.  But I take the way I represent myself very seriously.  Know your audience, understand how you're writing your email.  Don't add a bunch of emojis to your signature, do not use slang, when in doubt, go more formal.  It's ok to incorporate your personality into the way that you write at work, especially between same ranking colleagues, but if you're young or informal in general - if you write too informal, you're going to be seen as young and immature.  There's also something to be said for not trying too hard and going way too formal.  Don't bust out the thesaurus in an attempt to sound smart if these aren't words you're using in your everyday life.  Understand the company culture, the person you're writing to, and how you want to represent yourself before you hit send.

Aggressive Verbiage

I've been victim of this before and I'm especially cognizant of it now.  I've gone too formal and come off extremely aggressive.  Do not use the "per my previous email."  Don't utilize language that feels like it's pointing fingers.  I'm a big proponent of picking up the phone in situations like these and summarizing in a follow up email to diffuse any unnecessary tension.  The point is, when you're angry or you're trying to get a point across and you're really in a passionate moment, slow down.  That's when you should be especially aware of how you're writing your email in order to avoid any ruffled feathers for no reason.  

The art of the email is very difficult in a world that is growing more informal by the day. Millennial tech companies are encouraging the relaxed lifestyle and way of engaging.  Be mindful and aware that while it's perfectly acceptable to forego the suit and tie way of life, don't let your guard down so much that your communication becomes sloppy.  Review everything before you send it.  When in doubt, ask for advice on how to manage a difficult email. 

Often times we spend about 80% of our business relationships in the digital space.  So who you are in email, is who people see you as in a professional setting.  Emails are in fact a huge part of your brand.  Do you want that image to be of someone who is sloppy and difficult to communicate with or do you rightfully want to be seen as a team player who cares about the details?

Career Corner: Episode 3482, Work Stress

I have decided to call my career/business related posts: Career Corner!  I will most likely forget I have decided this by the time I write the next blog, but for today, career corner it is!

On today's episode of career corner, we talk about work stress.  I don't care what your career is, how much you love your company/boss/job - there will always be work stress and it will always feel like the most unbearable thing that ever existed.  

Some careers and industries are more stressful than others and some people handle stress better than others, but the common denominator is that we will all go through it.

So how do you manage work stress?  As someone who works in one of the top 5 most stressful industries in the world, I like to think I am partially qualified to speak on this all too common topic.  

Take a Breath

When work stress hits the first thing you need to do is take a breath and step outside the situation.  Take 30 seconds to take a breath, digest, and gain perspective.  If you don't take a moment to pull back from the situation - the stress just builds and you're not able to get an overview of what's happening.  That's how you lose your shit and get fired.

Problem Solve

When you've taken your breath and inventory of the cause of the stress, start problem solving.  I tell my staff to never be afraid to bring me stressful situations but do make sure you've come up with a few solutions before you bring me the problem.  When you have even one potential solution, you're able to calm your nerves and see that nothing is impossible.

Reflect

Why is this stress happening?  Did you cause the stress?  Is the stress warranted?  Did someone else cause the stress?  Figuring out where it came from and why (or if its even necessary stress) is how you can potentially prevent future stress as well as manage it moving forward.

In the moment - these three steps will help you to effectively and professionally manage a really stressful situation.  But how do you manage everyday stress and set yourself up for future incidents?

Find a Distraction

Take a walk.  Grab coffee.  Call a friend.  Whatever you're able to do that gives you immediate joy, do it.  Make sure you're setting up your workspace to maximize your center.  Eat healthy.  Drink your water.  Bring photos that make you smile.  Surround yourself with distractions that lift you up and keep you in a generally good head space.  

Communicate

If you're in a situation where others are the cause of your stress, communicate with them.  Often times, people aren't aware of their actions and having a respectful conversation with the right people can develop relationships that promote teamwork and teach others how to properly do their part to make work life less stressful.

Step Away from Work

Leave work at work.  I know, I'm terrible at this.  But bein able to shut off work when you leave will hugely affect your headspace.  Don't read emails.  Turn off the work cell.  Go to the gym.  Cook meals.  Enjoy time with your friends and family.  Do the things that enrich who you are outside of the 9-5 and you will make a huge difference in who you are at work.  Do not let your work stress consume your entire world.

Be Self Aware

Are you the cause of your work stress?  Are you making things stressful that don't need to be?  Are you perhaps in an industry that really isn't the best fit for you?  Do a self check in and determine if you can do anything to mitigate work stress.  Sometimes we create stress for ourselves that simply doesn't exist.  And sometimes we work in jobs that aren't the right fit.  Take responsibility and do the work to help ease the stress in your professional life.

 I wish I could tell you that I've been able to completely manage my work stress, overcome, and lead some Zen work life - but I'm human.  I have days that I am completely overwhelmed, threaten to leave, and consider moving to Europe.  I quickly remember that I am not a billionaire, need to pay bills to give my dog a better life, utilize the tools in my arsenal, and reset my mind to fight back against the stress. 

Professionalism

In the workplace, you are bound to come across people that are hard to work with.  People you may not like at all.  But part of growing up, excelling in your career, is learning to avoid the drama, and be the bigger person.

Whether you're 22 or 42 - the best skill you can have as a professional is professionalism.  The ability to separate yourself from those who succumb to the immaturity and the drama, that's such a skill in the world. 

Throughout my years as a boss babe, I've certainly fallen into the trap of letting the drama get to me and participating in the madness.  But as I've grown and advanced, I'm developed a bit of an artistry towards handling these less than ideal situations.

Let's talk how to develop and maintain that kind of mentality. 

Mind your own business.

First and foremost, work is not a social community.  It's important to have good working relationships and even to maintain strong friendships with a select few of your coworkers, but work is a business.  Your number one purpose is to do what you were hired to do, develop your skills, and contribute to the success of your company.  That's it.  When drama is happening around you, when you hear the gossip, the immature behavior, do not engage.  Mind your own business.

Learn the art of the brush off.

Chances are, at some point, someone is going to try to pull you into the spectacle.  Learn to artfully comment on the situation without taking sides and make it clear you're uninterested in involving yourself.  Don't get sucked in.  Remind yourself that your number one role is to spend your time doing your job.  I you're constantly finding yourself approached by the office drama queen (or king) - be slow to respond, continue emailing, be uninterested.  The art of the brush off is being able to get the point across that you're not interested in joining the circus without having to blatantly say "go away you're the worst."

The rule of words.

I have a rule that I live by at work.  I don't say anything to anyone that I wouldn't want to be said to someone else.  I own every single thing I say about someone and to someone because I've been careful about how I speak to other people and about other people.  I've put my foot in my mouth in the past and had to own up to things I should not have ever said.  And that's not a good feeling nor a good professional look.  Think before you speak, keep personal feelings out of it, and remember that business is not the place to regret what you say.

Keep your goals in mind.

The person who gets promoted, who excels in the work place - is the person who does not engage in the theatrics of petty behavior.  In 2017, company culture is a priority and if you're catty, gossiping, and constantly speaking about others in a negative way - you're not promoting a positive culture.  No matter how good you are at your job, if you create a disruption in the company culture, you will be fired.  Your value is not greater than the good of the company.  Constantly put your professional goals at the forefront.  Your competition is yourself.  Develop your plan with your manager and focus on that plan.  Leave everyone else out of it.

Find your zen.

It's not always easy to bush off the drama.  Sometimes it's difficult to deal with and harder to ignore.  It's stressful, it's unpleasant, and unfortunately - it happens.  When it does - find your zen.  Take a walk, listen to music, text a friend.  Do whatever you have to do to disengage from the situation and refocus back to your goals.  We all slip up, we all succumb to the pressure sometimes - but being able to step back and get out of it before any real damage occurs is what separates the amaturs and the professionals.

Professionalism is so important to a successful career.  As a manager, if you're not displaying a high level of professionalism and working to better your skills in this area, I'm not going to invest myself in you.  You are not the future of the organization and quit frankly, you're not going anywhere in life until you grasp this.  Professionalism takes a lot of self reflection and commitment to growth.  You will never stop developing this talent.  22 or 42, it's your greatest asset and you should consistently be looking to take it to the next level.  Don't ever let yourself forget that work is a business, it's not a social setting and it's not high school.  Save the shenanigans for your personal life because the professional world doesn't care.

They Let Me Be a Mentor

I'm uncertain if they actually let me be a mentor.  I don't get paid to do it.  I just pick my favorite little sequins and I give them career advice.  Whether they like it or not.  So realistically nobody lets me be a mentor, I just am one.

Regardless of how I got here - I'm here.  I've got my flock of little future world leaders and I spend some of my free time imparting my wisdom upon their fresh little minds.  I still kind of feel like an imposter giving business advice to anyone - but I also oddly buy into my own product.  I've had this crazy nontraditional journey that I'm sure isn't over - and I love that I can provide insight into achieving your dreams without having to follow the rules.

That being said - I'm really picky about who I gift my wisdom to.  I place high value on my brand and so if you're associated with me and my brand - you've got to measure up.  I'm happy to gift 30 minutes of my time to speak to someone about the industry and briefly offer some advice - but should I invest anymore time than that - I've got to believe in who you are and where you're headed.  If I'm adopting you as my little sequin of the future -I'm committing time and energy and resources into helping you succeed - so you've got to earn that trust and investment.

Mentorship is important to me.  The people I bring into my business world are important to me.  It gives me a lot of fulfillment to be able to build these sequins up and encourage them to be their best selves, follow their dreams, and never settle.  And although a lot of them tell me they can't get where they are without me - I can't grow without them.  They motivate me to work hard, keep my passions first, and that I can have it all.  They also remind me of where I came from.  They remind me to never forget what I've been through and where I'm going.  They continue to inspire me and teach me as much as I teach them. 

If you're not a mentor, become one.  If you don't have a mentor, get one.  But be picky.  The mentor/mentee relationship is sacred.  It's trusting your goals, dreams, insecurities, past, present, and future - with someone who you should aim to build a lifelong relationship with.  And its not a way to get ahead.  It's not a connection you use to get somewhere.  It's a bond that is supposed to grow who you are as a person in business and in life.  It's not to be taken lightly and if you do it right, it can change your life.

The Art of War

Business is a battlefield.  It's navigating egos, balancing personalities, and figuring out who you are at work.  It's being social with boundaries.  It's being strong but not an asshole.  It's going above and beyond but not sacrificing your whole life.  Work is war, and in war - there's an art to winning.

It took me a really long time to understand the politics of working in an office.  I'm a loud, straightforward, strong, and opinionated person.  I am loyal, hardworking, and I push the limits.  I don't have an off switch and I often speak before thinking.  I've absolutely crossed the line in the workplace and I've let myself get in some sticky situations professionally. 

Now I'm not saying at the ripe age of 31 I've perfected the Art of War at Work, but I am an established soldier and I've got some insight into how you can avoid mistakes I've made as you navigate this world of adulting. 

The War Starts on Day One

The first day you start work is critical.  Not to put more pressure on you but day one is setting your strategy for who you plan to be at work.  Are you going to be the funny one?  The serious one?  The friend to everyone?  Day one is where your colleagues start to learn about who you are and where you're going to fit into their world.  My advice to you - be you, but be a business casual version of you.  In other words - don't pretend to be super serious if you're super not serious in your normal life.  Find a balance between utilizing your humor but keeping it appropriate (business casual).  If you're an overly trusting oversharing type - tone that shit down - but don't try to be cold and aloof.  Whoever you are - business it up but don't try to change who you are.  That's exhausting and unrealistic and it won't last.

Remember You are Your Own Brand

You are representing your brand at all times.  And the brand you build lasts your entire career.  When you make choices, act, and engage at work - you're not just showing your colleagues who you are - you're also leaving an impression that extends to their network.  And you'd be surprised how far that network extends.  Always remember this.  Remember it at the Christmas party before you take shots.  Remember this before you start sleeping with your colleague.  And remember this before you talk poorly about someone to someone else at work.  Your brand, your reputation is all you have.  Choose to be a brand that others respect and value.  Because while you cannot control who likes you or what others may do - you can control you and you can control your brand message.  You get one shot at what that message is.

Boundary Setting

Boundaries at work are critical.  Boundaries are what keep you in check and help you pause before acting or speaking in a way that crosses the line.  Be careful who you trust.  Be aware of how you engage with those around you.  Be mindful of what you share about your personal life.  A rule of thumb I have is if you wouldn't want your boss knowing about it, if you wouldn't say it to your boss, simply don't share it with anyone else.  It's ok to trust a select few - some of my closest friends are people I've met at work - but be selective.  Take time to get to know these people you spend your time with.  It's truly just not possible that each and every person in your office is trustworthy and your best friend.  Set boundaries and respect the boundaries of others.  It's better to be a bit of a mystery than a completely open book in the workplace.

I'd also like you to keep in mind that work, no matter how casual, no matter the office size, no matter how long you've been there - is a business.  And even the most caring and supportive business - is defined by success.  It's lifeblood is based in that success.  Your company can care about you and value you - but it can also thrive without you - don't make it easy for them to make that decision.

I'll leave you with a few very obvious, yet from my experience, often forgotten rules in The Art of War at Work:

• Don't be the one who drinks too much at work functions
• Don't be the one who dates (or sleeps with) the entire office
• Don't be the one who overshares about everything
• Don't be the one who acts like a cold closed off robot
• Don't be the one who cries a lot
• Don't be the one who has a temper
• Don't be the one who's always making inappropriate jokes
• Don't be the one who is always "on"
• Don't be the one who dresses inappropriately, sloppily, or has hygiene issues

I get that those were all negative things.  But they're unfortunately quite common.  And I cringe at every single one.  At the end of the day - The Art of War at Work is 98% common sense.  And learning how to master it - shouldn't be that hard.  Be mindful of how you engage at work and the precedence you're setting.  If you're excelling at The Art of War - you're most likely creating a better, more positive experience for you and those around you.  And that's worth waiting until you get home for that 3rd drink or to make the really crude joke.  Trust me - I'm a 4 star general in the Art of War at Work and if I can do it, anyone can.

Business Games

I love sports.  Sports have been my business for the past 7 years and my passion for as long as I can remember.  I feel a sense of loyalty to the teams and players that I support - I am emotionally attached to the wins and losses as well as how we play the game.  Sports teach you how to be your best and they give fans a sense of ownership.  But at the end of the day - sports are a business. 

The NBA, NFL, MLB - they're the parent company to each team within their organization.  And each team is responsible for creating a successful product.  That product is winning games.  You win games - you sell seats.  When the seats are full, the media sells, concessions sell, gear sells, and so forth.  At the end of the day - winning is what matters.  When you're not winning, its a lot harder to fill seats, garner media interest, and ultimately turn a profit.

So what am I getting at?  I'm trying to show you super fans who yell and scream and curse your teams/players/owners for their lack of loyalty to you/your city that you can cause a ruckus all you want - loyalty in the sports business is to winning.  Nothing else.  I feel your pain.  I went into mourning when Brian Wilson went to the Dodgers.  I hate on the Niners to this day for letting Alex Smith go and going with Kap (although seriously they should listen to me about that after this season...) - but I also understand that what we fans feel - is not what these executives feel. 

Team owners/executives have numbers to produce.  They must produce wins and sell tickets and reach financial goals.  So while you and I are focusing on winning too - we also feel emotionally invested in players.  We love the guy in the community and the rookie who leaves it all on the court.  But to the team - these players are replaceable. They're part of the puzzle until they don't fit.  And then they're plucked off the bus and given a ticket elsewhere.  It's harsh.  It's cold.  It's business.

I've watched it happen.  I've seen the roll call on the bus for the guys who were on their way to a game in Chicago but are now being asked to clear out their lockers and move to a new city.  I've gotten the phone calls threating death to owners, cursing out salespeople, burning of the jerseys and posting it online.  Fans are loyal, emotional, and the lifeblood of the organization.  Certainly without fans - there's no team.  But I'll be really honest with you - if you think your opinions on player deals, playing time, or coaching choices matter - you should put your beer down and go home.  They need you to buy tickets but at the end of the day, with or without you the organization will go on.  Maybe to a new city, but it will go on.

I realize this post is probably a little depressing - but life is tough - I just want to keep it real with you.  But with all of that knowledge being dropped - I want you to know - I'm still just as crazy passionate as you are about my teams.  And even knowing all the behind the scenes of it - I'm still just as irrational as you are when my favorite player gets sent away.  Sure, sports are a business, but they're also my heart.