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Helpful & super fantastic Rob Storm (@robnstorm). That’s what he is. As I stand in front of his house, schmoozing when I have my meetings with Borden Communications (@bordencommunications), this description of Rob floods into my mind.
Because it’s the truth. You see, anyone can be helpful. It’s when someone goes above and beyond what is asked, that’s what makes it super fantastic.
Whenever I am with Rob, he is present. Listening to every word I say. Acknowledging my cries of anguish, and generously offering to help with whatever is needed. Without me asking! What the…?
The icing on the cake? Rob makes me laugh with his colourful humour. 😉
With a kind soul like this, how could I not ask Rob to be a mentor in the book Get Up?
To answer the question:
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
Oh, man. It’s a goodie. However, this “Helpful & Super Fantastic Rob” wisdom did not happen overnight. Rob had a bit of growing to do, and that just makes it all the more meaningful.
I am first and foremost a human just trying to do my best every day. My favourite roles are being a dad to my kids and life partner to Lisa (since 1991!). I am a lover of music and concerts – both attending and performing! I love sports and games – playing, coaching, and watching. And love being out in nature. I guess this could be a long dissertation or a resume, but this gives you an idea of my essence and purpose!
We met way back in the first grade, but we didn’t get together until we were 20 at Camp Tamarack where we both had been going for years. Hard to believe that is now over 30 years ago!
See my response to the first question and…
I am so fortunate to be married to Lisa, as she has always been about how to do better – and that helps me to be better. I am not saying it is easy, just worth it! And our personalities are so different, but we complement each other so well.
There is a ton of mutual respect and support, and we find ways to get through anything and everything. Even the tough stuff and there has been some tough stuff!
We laugh a lot too, which helps! I’m so lucky to be able to watch as she evolves, and gives her all to make an impact. She gives me all of the freedom I need to be my own person too (including my going to many concerts and festivals that she is delighted to not attend!). I also get to benefit from the fact that she cares tremendously about what we eat, buy, wear, and grow. I, (and our family and friends) enjoy the spoils of her ever-expanding knowledge, wisdom, nurturing, and vision.
Together, we choose to not settle with the status quo, or get stuck in the past, but are here together working on being better today for tomorrow. Both as individuals and as partners.
When I started working, I believed that if I worked hard, and produced at a high level, then I would be rewarded and promoted. The naivety of believing that progression was merit-based was understandable, but the sad reality is that it’s not always the case. Especially when the people that you work with are only looking out for themselves.
There are a few lessons from this. One is that the goal isn’t just about rewards and promotion. it’s about learning and growing. The second is that you want to find an environment where you are surrounded by people, both the leaders and individual contributors, who want you to succeed and will help you to learn and grow and improve every day. It’s ideal to be able to work with those who want you to succeed, learn, grow and improve. In a nutshell, relationships matter.
At different stages, I’ve learned different things, which makes me the student, rather than the teacher. My kids teach me a LOT! In the first few years, it was making sure that the diaper was on properly (learned this one the hard way). As they got older, I learned (and am still learning) to set a good example. They are watching (and making fun of…) everything I do.
And now, as they are young adults, I am learning to know when to get out of the way (slowly and not without resistance!). But I think my biggest lesson so far has been when and how to apologize. Which is often. Also, I’ve learned that I’m fun and can take a joke at least the majority of the time!
Free Time? What is that? 😉 Between all of my jobs and activities, life is pretty full, and how wonderful is that? I don’t think of it as free time but more so what am I doing that brings me enjoyment. Between all of my jobs, (including editing Get Up – thank you, Rob!) I’m challenged and happy. Playing music. Traveling to see concerts. The occasional canoe trip. Eating. And playing basketball/baseball/golf/games with my family.
I don’t really have any guilty pleasures. More like there are things that I will always say yes to, such as any smoothie, nachos, and cinnamon buns. Any food, really. Especially if Lisa makes it. Or my kids offer it to me.
What the heck did you mean when you said:
“Make your default setting to help – be willing to help anyone at any time – especially before you are asked.”
As a kid and young adult, I remember being lazy and trying to avoid having to do any type of “work”. Tasks such as emptying the dishwasher, setting up and tearing down from an event, coming to the aid of someone who is hurt, and even helping someone who dropped something.
As an adult, I quickly realized that helping others in any form is the best way to be. And trying to be proactive to anticipate what kind of help is needed takes it to the next level. So I’m trying my best to do little things every day to help keep things rolling and instill this mindset in my kids.
It feels GREAT to help. And what you put out there comes back to you —- in spades!
Thank you, helpful & super fantastic Rob. Your responses to my questions were totally worth the wait! 😉 Your wise words are a testimonial that being helpful is great, but when you put your heart, soul, and purpose into it, it becomes super fantastic.
Which, you are.