Donald Shampine

 I remember struggling to tie my shoes as a kid. My mom patiently attempted to teach me how to tie my shoes with a standard knot, and I struggled. I’m unsure if it was because I lacked the understanding of the concept or the digital dexterity to perform the task. Maybe it was a little of both. Either way, I was not able to accomplish this seemingly simple task. So, my mom, like many other parents, taught me the bunny ears method. I imagine I must have used that method for a few years. I remember feeling bad about my inability to tie my shoes successfully. I remember feeling embarrassed and frustrated. Very.    The thing is, I don’t remember when I transitioned to tying my shoes with the standard knot. It wasn’t an epiphany. There wasn’t a marked moment where I could say, “Eureka, I did it.” Yet, somewhere along the way, I figured it out. Success crept up on me quietly. It’s interesting that I felt bad that I couldn’t tie my shoes but never celebrated the moment I coul...

  Stop Swearing at Work. There, I said it! I know this will not be a popular opinion. I imagine there will be many of you who will argue against this thought. I understand that some will argue that colorful language is a sign of creativity and intelligence. I know that people will tell me that those who swear seem more honest. I have heard every argument, over many years, multiple different times. But it does not change my opinion.   Yes, I have read the studies that seem to advocate for a looser mindset when it comes to profane and vulgar language. In fact, I have read many studies because it has been an issue that I have been at odds with for many years. What I found is often we look for arguments that support the belief system that we want to embrace.   Just because it is written, just because it is studied, just because it is published, does not make it true. The same can be said for my opinion here. but I’m not trying to justify my position based on a study. I’...

  22 Years Twenty-two years ago, I started on a path to build several businesses. The process began for one simple reason, I was not a great employee. I feel my intentions were good, but often misguided, and I felt that I knew how to do things better, my way. Sometimes I was right, often I was wrong, but it made me a challenging person to manage. So, I was forced to start something on my own.   I have made countless mistakes along the way, mostly guided by ego and pride, I often refused to listen to anyone and followed the wrong path. I still don’t pretend to have it all figured out, but I do have some insight that I have gained by starting my businesses as well as helping hundreds of others start theirs: 1.       Fail And Learn: Face it, you are going to fail. Mistakes are inevitable and losses are part of building success. Just remember that if you fail, learn from it. Take a critical look at what you could have done differently, and then here...

  I Pray for My Team   I pray for my employees and their families. I pray for their relationships with their spouses. I pray for their children and any struggles they may be facing. I pray they find the success they are seeking both personally and professionally. I pray for my team.   I recognize that there are complications to bringing religion into the workplace, and this has created obstacles that I have not properly faced over the years. But I no longer want to feel like I must apologize for my belief. If I deny my faith it allows for poor decisions both personally and professionally. I will not force my religion on other people. I will not ask my team to pray. I will not use scripture to train them in their work, but I will pray for my team.   Christianity continues to take criticism in this modern day where a fickle and ever-changing society tries to dictate what is acceptable to talk about and what is not. Religion is often part of the latter, and peop...