# 2 & 3 Random Act of Kindness – 100 Day Challenge

Scatter Kindness

#2 Random Act of Kindness – 100 day challenge.

These Act of Kindness are in the participants own words and the only purpose of this challenge was to scatter kindness.

Here is Monica’s R.A.K….

I sent a note to a teacher at a local daycare.  (she taught both my children).  My girls both loved her and she has become a  friend.  She is young and doesn’t really know what she wants to do in life – she went to school and got a degree in business while working, but now realizes she wants to work with children but has a business degree.

She has confided in me some days of her frustration.  I just decided to send her a note to give her encouragement to just go for your goals and dreams while you are young.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy…happy blogging!!

~~

Random act #3 = No activity, no response.

When I made a request and got no response, I will just list it like this.

 

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  A personal handwritten note can mean so much, especially with today’s electronic technology.

 

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100 Day Challenge – Random Acts Of Kindness

Note the semi-hidden hummingbird

Amazing Random Acts of Kindness. 

You are about to embark on an amazing journey through some heartfelt, thoughtful, creative and joyful random acts of kindness.  Each Act will be described by the challenge participant in their own words.  You will be able to feel the joy it brought to both the participant as well and the recipient.

Here is how it started:

On October 15, 2013 I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave myself a 100 Day Challenge. Each day for 100 days I asked a different person to do just one random act of kindness and then tell me about it. Simple enough, right? There were no rule, no expectations, just do something that would bring a smile to someone else.

I asked 16 men and 84 women if they would participate.  For the most part,  I asked only once and did very little follow-up or reminders.   The response was amazing.  I hope you enjoy following this blog to see what Random Acts of Kindness my family, friends and colleagues came up with.

To my surprise, many participants thanked me for including them in this challenge.  The THANK YOU goes to each one of you that took on your own challenge to make a difference.

THANK YOU for making the world a better place!

Today is the last day of this challenge, tomorrow the ripple effect begins. Enjoy! To view all 100 Random Acts click on the archive to the right of this post for January 2014, February 2014, March 2014 and April 2014.

If you would like to follow this journey, check back or subscribe over on the right column to receive email notifications.

Have a Flan-tastic Day and Scatter some Kindness,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I was not completely comfortable doing this challenge.  I  felt like I was imposing on their busy lives and didn’t want anyone to feel obligated. 

 

Hidden History #18 Random Book Titled “Inez”?

Inez by Evans

The park bench, the cane, the luggage, the glasses, the book all meant to make you feel like someone is waiting for the train.

Or maybe just took a moment for themselves in the park to read a book.

Ah yes, the book.

Note the title of this book. 

“Inez”

Hidden History #18.  Inez was my mother’s name and also the middle name given to my granddaughter.

Not just any book, but a book by design.

Click here to go to Hidden History #19

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service

Random me:  childhood memory – my least favorite meal was lima beans and spare ribs. 

Women in Business

Female Factor

My babies!

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be on the cover of my hometown chamber magazine.  Along with the cover and article came the ability to have an inside picture with my beautiful daughters. 

It was the sweet icing on an already delicious cake. 

What an honor to be featured with so many amazing women business owners in Valparaiso. 

To view the entire magazine click here.

Thank you to the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and especially to Rex Richards, Susan Antoszewski, Danielle Oeding, Aran Kessler and Andrew Talleckson. It was an amazing experience.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:   I have many creative ideas, but sometimes I am afraid to bring them to life.  I’m working on improving that about myself.

Are you indispensible?

Just awarded another 15 yr pin. Congratulations Deborah Thiel!

One thing I always tell a new employee is that I hope we have a very long working relationship.

I also tell them that I don’t want them to fear the day they have to tell me that they are moving on.

I don’t want them to fear my reaction or the impact it is going to have on the company.

I don’t want them to lose sleep the night before nor feel that they will be letting us down in some way.

Because……

I believe they would not leave unless it was the best thing for them, their family and their future and that should always be their top priority.

Yes, it may be difficult to replace them.

Yes we may miss them terribly and

Yes things may not be the same,

But as a business owner I know nothing lasts forever.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I’m so blessed because most days, it just doesn’t feel like work.

Through the eyes of your customer

355 S Washington St is the Police Station

There will be a $25 charge for all returned checks

24 hour notice of cancellation required to avoid $25 fee

Do not leave children unattended

Unauthorized vehicles will be towed

No Parking

No returns after 30 days of purchase

In-store credit only

You break it, you bought it

All shoplifters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

Through the eyes of your customer.

Is there a better way?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  today is the 43rd anniversary of the first date with my hubby.

How Important are Statistics?

How important is the door?

 

I was inspired by Seth Godin’s blog today.

Is something important because you measure it, or is it measured because it’s important? (via Seth’s blog)

While statistics can be fun, should we be so concerned with numbers?

What’s more important….

…..how many people drive by our store, or how many people walk through the door?

…..how many people walk through the door, or how many people actually make a purchase?

….how many people read our blogs or how many people remember us when they need our services?

Maybe we should measure how much time we spend on statistics?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I fell down the stairs the morning of my wedding and had bruises the size of Texas.  It was okay because nothing was broken and they were all covered by the dress.

How much is a customer worth?

It's only money

How much is a loyal customer worth?

The following is a true story.

A dear friend of mine was having a luncheon at her apartment after a funeral.  She ran into a local family owned grocery store to pick up a few items, and to her dismay when she got home realized that she had handed the cashier $100 bill and had forgotten to get her change. (the change was approx $74.00)

She immediately drove back, went to the cashier and told her what happened and  the cashier said there was nothing she could do.  She ask my friend if she could prove she left without the change?  The cashier said if her drawer was over at the end of the day they would call her.

No one called her.

She finally called the store and they told her the drawer was just fine.

I encouraged her to ask for a meeting with the owner and explain the situation and if he didn’t want to return the money that he at least needed to keep his radar up because either the cashier or the person that balances the drawers might be stealing money.

She did meet with him and he said it was her own fault for leaving the store without the money and that this is their policy.  She explained that she was upset and that she has been shopping with his store for 40 years.  He said, “Sorry”.

She said she was sorry too and told him she will never shop in his store again.

I understand the need for store policy, I understand the owner needs to stand behind his employees and I understand they need to be careful in these hard time of people trying to scam, but was there a better resolution?

What is a 40 year loyal customer worth?

Is it worth sacrificing one customer to uphold policy? Maybe so.

Was there a compromise the store owner could or even should  have worked out?  Maybe not.

Tell me what you think?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Spring is my favorite time of year and spring is near !!!!

Employee Appreciation Contest

W.A.Y. = We Appreciate You

 

We were looking for something fun for the employees that would also benefit the company and be fair to everyone.  We designed a contest called the “W.A.Y. To Go” contest.  (W.A.Y. = We Appreciate You).

This contest was inspired by Disney’s “Great Service Fanatic” card.

There were 12 items on the list.  If an employee did any one of these they could enter their name in the drawing.  In fact, they could enter as many times as they actually completed that item.  They also could enter a co-workers name for them, if they felt they deserved it.

There were two ways to win.  The person that had the most entries won a prize and then there was a random drawing of all the rest of the entries for the second prize.  Both prizes had the same value, so everyone had a fair chance.

It was a huge success.

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Sometimes I have so many creative ideas floating in my head that I get frustrated because I want to do them all.

#YearInReview

2009 & 2010 Accomplishments

#YearInReview What did you ship in 2010? (inspired by Seth Godin’s blog today)

Your turn to post a list somewhere… You’ll probably be surprised at how much you accomplished last year. Go ahead and share with your friends, colleagues or the web… don’t be shy.

HERE IS MY LIST:

2010 Business
ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Remodeled Office
• Featured speaker AM Valpo
• ValpoLife Website (click here)
• Business After Hours Program
• CDS Business Append
• R.O.S.E. Unsung Hero Award (click here)
• Sponsor Banta Feeds (click here)
• ValpoLife Video (click here)
• Bulkmail4u Blog (click here)
• TalTree Family Fun Day (click here)
• JDRF 2010 Walk
• Ronald McDonald House $3650.00 (click here)
• Blog for  The Disney Driven Life (click here)
• Popcorn Parade Winner (click here)
• 3 Leaves RMH
• Customer Savings over $684,552.00
• Donated over 8 lbs of pop tops to RMH

Can’t wait to start on my list for 2011.  What about  you?

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I wrap my Christmas tree and store it in a closet completely decorated for next year. (lazy or brilliant?)