Spring in Western Montana is both a tease of the summer to come and a reminder of the winter past. Sometimes we get to experience both ends of the spectrum in the same day.

Last week a friend and I took a hike around Lake Como on a sunny, warm afternoon. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt, I remember asking my hiking partner at the last minute, “Should I bring my hat?” I grabbed it, deciding it would keep the sun out of my eyes and prevent my nose from getting sunburned. Little did I realize the true benefit the hat would eventually serve.

Lake Como, Montana

Lake Como is about 10 miles south of Hamilton, Montana. The trail loops the lake at a distance of 7+ miles. We departed from the north swimming beach parking area taking a clockwise direction, intending to enjoy the sunny day by hiking the entire loop. With the water level low, we were able to traverse below the dam along the rocky water line – a place that soon would be 25 feet under water from the melting winter snowpack.

After passing the south parking area and boat launch ramp at less then a mile, we noticed darkening skies and wondered about the real possibility of a spring thundershower. It was still warm and we debated the probability of the clouds just passing us by. In the spring, Montana doesn’t seem to care if the weatherman had predicted only a 30% chance of rain…

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“When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life.” 

-  Abert F. Geoffrey

Businesses pay big dollars to people who take aggressive action that proves to be successful. Those same businesses fire people who take aggressive action that ultimately fails.  In our fast paced world companies need and expect employees to regularly make smart decisions in real time. Occasionally, you will go too far and get yourself in trouble. What do you do when that happens?

In my early 20s I was working for a California company as a facilities technician. The company admired and supported my aggressive can-do attitude and my ability to get things done in an area where things previously were not getting done. As fate would have it I took my assertive style too far. The specific incident occurred during a social event held for a group of visiting dignitaries. Instead of just observing quietly in the background I jumped in with my brassy approach. Being called on the carpet was a valuable learning experience – there is a time for aggressive action and there is a time for quiet observation. Acknowledging and understanding that reality allowed me to continue successfully for several more years with that company.

Have you ever crossed the line and had to ask forgiveness?

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Forrest Gump had a unique personality trait that allowed him to go through life either oblivious to or untouched by other people’s opinions of his ideas. It is possible that he simply didn’t know any better, or didn’t realize he ought to care, like a child that trusts in himself.

On the surface, Forrest’s ideas seamed crazy to others.  Bubba’s mom asked him if he was “crazy or just plain stupid” regarding his shrimping idea. The man at the docks also regarded his plans incredulously, asking “Are you stupid or something?” Lieutenant Dan ridiculed Forrest when he first heard the idea, and poked at him sarcastically yet again about ‘praying for shrimp’.  But Forrest ignored the negative comments and continued on … and in the end, the shrimping idea worked! Even praying for shrimp seemed to work!  It seemed when Forrest made up his mind, it eventually happened, and his perseverance was key!  Do you persevere on the things that are important to you? When you care about something do you doggedly pursue it the way Forrest pursued shrimping?

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The Masters Golf Tournament is arguably the biggest golf event of the year. This past weekend’s event at the famed Augusta National Golf Club certainly lived up to it’s billing from an entertainment perspective. Tiger Woods return to the public arena and his first golf event since his self-imposed exile of 5+ months for sexual improprieties guaranteed an entertainment factor in and of itself. How would he perform? Would he win? Would he be more temperate and respectful of the game as he had previously resolved?

And this answer is … he performed very well albeit a bit erratic. He didn’t win, but he was lurking the entire time. And he failed on his temperance and respectfulness. But it certainly was entertaining.

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Forrest starts his run and breaks free of a gumption trap.

Robert Pirsig  wrote the 1974 book titled Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The book describes a 17-day motorcycle trip across the United States in which many philosophical discussions are held. It sold over 4 million copies and has been described as one of the most widely read philosophical books ever written.  In the book Pirsig coined the term gumption trap.

Considering my line of work, I wanted to explain what Pirsig originally meant by the term gumption trap and relate it to our hero Forrest Gump. And we’ll recall a scene where Forrest could very well have been stuck in his own gumption trap and what he did to shake himself out of it.

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My 1st day as Forrest Gump in Monterey, CA - March 29, 1996

Last Monday, March 29, 2010 marked the 14^th Anniversary of my first public appearance as ‘Forrest Gump’ for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurant & Market. On March 29, 1996 we celebrated the grand opening of the first Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (BGS) on Cannery Row in Monterey, California.

Can you believe it? 14 years? I may not be a smart man but even I know 14 years is a long time!

Today BGS has grown to 22 locations throughout the United States and 11 international locations including Japan, Malaysia and other surprising locales. More are planned for the future, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of their openings as well.

Many have asked, “What do you do as Forrest Gump for BGS?” First and foremost I interact with the public as a goodwill ambassador posing for photos and enhancing the customer experience. During grand openings and special events I’ve made TV and radio appearances to announce a new location or new menu items or a special charity events. I also regularly visit hotels and other nearby businesses to promote the family themed restaurant, fun casual atmosphere and delicious menu items with salads, burgers, chicken, ribs, fresh fish and of course … many choices of shrimp.

I have so many great memories and moments from these 14 years, I would like to share with you a few of the highlights, as well as some of my future goals, as ‘Forrest Gump’.

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Last weekend I drove 1000 miles from Hamilton, Montana to the San Francisco Bay Area to work the weekend at the Monterey and San Francisco Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurants. In the 3+ years since completing my move to Montana, I have been flying to and from for my obligations there. For this venture, I decided to drive it once again, as a reminder of the many trips I took back and forth 3 or 4 years ago, and as a way of doing something different. I know a change of scenery does wonders for my psyche.

Would I do it again? Probably, but not any time soon … it’s a long drive. But during the 17 hours of driving each way, you get to do lots of uninterrupted thinking and see some very beautiful scenes. Fortunately, during my 34 hours of driving, 30+ hours were during the daylight. I’d like to share with you some of what I saw, and some of what I learned… 

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