Month: November 2022

Thankful for Being Rewarded for Nudges to Inspire Future Action, Music Helping Create the Right Action, and Pausing to Take No Action

Day 2,235

Growth:

There have been two past teachings that rang loud and clear for me today. Both ultimately say to take action, especially a kind action, when we feel nudged or compelled to. It is so easy to brush off the sensation and not act, to take action means intentionally making something happen which normally would have happened, taking on extra tasks or work. When we take those actions we are nudged to do we often don’t know exactly if it was worthwhile, we just have to trust that it was. Once in a great while we learn the difference that action made and it powers the soul to listen to that nudge more often. Today I’m grateful for those reminders, as well timed as they often are.

Appreciation:

Towards the end of my drive home a song flashed into my brain that perfectly fit the theme of my thoughts. Winners & Losers by Social Distortion.

There’s saints and sinners
Life’s a gamble and you might lose
There’s cowards and heroes
Both have been known now to break the rules
there’s lovers and haters
The strong and the weak will have their day
We’re devils and angels
Which one will I be today?

Are you happy now with all the choices you’ve made?
Are there times in life when you know you should’ve stayed?
Will you compromise and then realize the price is too much to pay?
Winners and losers, which one will I be today?

Social Distortion: Winners & Losers

It was the motivation I needed to take the right action. Thanks for the guidance Mike Ness!

Presence:

Today presence was found in pausing to think rather than reacting. My natural tendency is action, problem solving, or working towards completion. Instead of going on autopilot I paused and was present in the moment. I took time to consider the right action and am still considering the right next step. I’m glad I paused and stayed in the moment rather than just rushing through it today.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Grappling with Control, Pausing to Breathe, & the Lunar Eclipse

Day 2,234

Growth:

For a variety of reasons today I’ve felt the push and pull of grappling with control. What’s interesting is how much frustration I feel when I seem to have little to no control in different situations. While part of my brain pauses and knows I need to take a deep breath and relax my emotions seem to want to take over. Then I get more frustrated because I’m not controlling my emotions like I should…. Argh!!!

In those moments when I am grappling with control I need to remember to pause, take a deep breath, close my eyes, and choose gratitude. Ask myself, “what can I learn from this?”

Appreciation:

I’m grateful for the two times I remembered to pause and breathe as I described above. Before my Chamber meeting I parked my car, took a mental moment, and then started blogging. That helped a ton!!! On my drive home I paused my audiobook, switched to music, opened my moonroof, and blasted Hello by Martin Solveig. Pretty sure the drivers behind me may have called 911 due to my convulsions as I car danced all the way home. That felt amazing!!!

So glad I’ve been practicing the pause and breathe, it came in so handy today!!!

Presence:

Early this morning I put on my headphones and went for a nice cool walk. When I followed the bend in the road to the right I was quickly reminded of something Becky had told me the previous day.

Hanging in the sky was a dark orange moon. This was the last lunar eclipse for the next three years and I lucked into watching it in person. There were wispy lines of clouds which added to the effect and kept the sky ever changing, yet they were thin enough to see the entirety of Orion – who’s bow was seemingly taking aim on the moon. During the walk the color deepened and then lightened back into its normal light gray. What a spectacular event of nature to catch by accident early in the morning!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Defining Success, Solutions Based, and an Epic Sunset

Day 2,233

Growth:

Remember to measure oneself against our own measurable standards and to not allow others to define our success.

I still remember an evening in which I was so angry about not being recognized by others, what a wasted time of my life. My success should be measured by my effort, my work, my practice, and my preparation. Those are successes only I will know. Measure myself by my expectations, not by those of others.

Appreciation:

Without getting into detail, today I’m thankful for being a part of the solution rather than being a part of the problem.

Presence:

The sunset tonight was EPIC!!! Beautiful clouds, vivid colors, gorgeous!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Re-Reading, a Full Home, & Simple Tasks

Day 2,232

Growth:

Reading a book once is wonderful, reading it several times is divine. I may set a goal of becoming a centireader…. Reading the sand book over 100 times. Each reading adds such depth!

Appreciation:

Tonight I’m grateful for a living room full of family. After being away for work much of last week it felt like our hone was complete again. Sure, we spent much of the time completing the FAFSA which was frustrating, but at least we were frustrated and laughed all together. So awesome having our full house.

Presence:

A very unexpected source of presence and joy was getting water. There was an odd sense of peace derived from the simple, yet important task. Throughout the day there’ve been a handful of times in which in I caught myself in a similar state. Moments of simple tasks can be such an avenue to peace and presence.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Rest, Work Family, & Morning Run Soundtracks

Day 2,231

Growth:

Whew… what a whirlwind the past couple of weeks have been! My brain is still reeling from the nonstop pace.

When I was planning the week I had a list of everything I was going to do when I got home to an empty house today. Instead I sat on the couch, snuggled with LuLu, and went brain dead for a couple of hours. Now I’m laying in bed and about to crash.

Here’s how I’ve grown today, I gave myself time and space to rest. My mind will be refreshed and ready for a more productive tomorrow.

Appreciation:

Working on a Saturday isn’t something I like to do often. Working and connecting with my awesome teammates makes it all worth it. I’m beyond blessed to have an incredible family who happens to work together!

Presence:

Waking up early on a Saturday is usually not a great feeling. Knowing I present better when I’ve exercised before was a wonderful motivator to get me moving today. There was a wonderful state of flow when I started the run while listening to the John Wick 2 soundtrack. Felt great!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Ancient Stoic Essentialism, the Express Leadership Academy Alumni Event, and Not Traveling for Work All the Time

Day 2,230

Growth:

After practicing my presentation for tomorrow a couple of times on the flight I picked up my trusty travel companion, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. My copy has been across the world and back, on backpacking trips, and pretty much everywhere I’ve flown in the past five years. Thinking I should have gotten it a passport as I’m pretty sure it has been to over half a dozen countries outside the US.

The passage that really caught my attention and got me thinking was this:

If you seek tranquility, do less… …most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquility, Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?”

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4:24

What a thought to keep in mind as I tend to add more and more and more. It fits so well into the concept from the sermon last Sunday reminding us that “if the devil can’t tempt us he’ll keep us busy.”

Appreciation:

The Express Leadership Academy Alumni event was spectacular. So many mind blowing learning sessions, so much fellowship with fellow franchisees, and a surplus of opportunities to reconnect with friends. I’ve struggled to put into words all the things I am thankful for from the event, but I really can’t quite nail it down as succinctly as I’d like. Maybe the best way to put it is this…

When I consider the investment made in time, travel, lodging, and so on I cannot concieve of a possible way in which the scales would ever be balanced. There is no question the investment was paid for multiple times over by the positive impact the event has already had and will have in the future.

Presence:

In a slight twist to presence I’m going to be apprecative not for a specific moment of presence, rather for something which gets in the way of presence. The past couple of nights I’ve been in a hotel room in Dallas for training. I’m reminded of how thankful I am to have a career which doesn’t involve a ton of traveling away from my family. Not being there for a family dinner, to talk in passing as we’re all getting reeady in the morning, and to not give a good night hug avoids a presence I appreciate greatly. I’m glad I’m normally home and usually present with my family.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Clarity on Clarity, Deeper Learning from Leaders, & the Presence of Speaking

Day 2,229

Growth:

In one of our learning sessions today the speaker shared this thought provoking insight, “Clarity is controllable.”

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a leader is providing the necessary clarity of goals for my team. This comment reminded me that of all that I do as a leader providing clarity is amongst the most important, if not the most important. What a perfect reminder for me to be intentional about being completely clear in our vision and goals!

Appreciation:

One of my favorite The Far Side cartoons by Gary Larson is one which the line is, “Mr. Osborne, may I be excused? My brain is full.” That is exactly how I am feeling after 24 hours of our Express Leadership Academy Alumni Retreat. So many ideas are already stuffed into my brain bucket, I’m afraid if I add any more some will slosh out when I walk!

What I’m most appreciative for is the opportunity to learn from other leaders. Yes, the strategy and tactics are fantastic, but I’m talking about the deeper learning that is there is I remember to watch for it below the surface. How does the leader show their values in the way they communicate? If I listen to a deeper frequency there are more profound and impactful lessons to learn. There were two specifically today which moved me deeply.

One leader who is amongst the most successful in our 800+ offices showed such a deep level of humility. She’s done a superb job of quieting ego while continuing to lead the way to success. Her integrity shown through so clearly as well, everything she does is with excellence. She’s focused on the most important and gets at it. As I re-read Meditations I can’t help but see how she embodies so many of the Stoic principles.

Another leader is exceptionally courageous while also leading with dynamic clarity. She is willing to try new things, to see where the world is going and get there before anyone else does. She reminds me of the Wayne Gretzky quote, “Most people skate to the puck, I skate to where the pick will be.” That takes courage and old fashioned guts. New ideas are never easy and are often criticized… until everyone realizes just how brilliant the idea really is.  Her courage to do what’s right is truly uplifting.

There is no question I can draw inspiration from both of these leaders at a level deeper than their tactics and strategies. From them I can learn to be a better me. I am so thankful today for the opportunity to learn from them.

Presence:

Speaking in front of a group is one of my favorite ways to be 100% focused in the present moment. There is no room to day dream, to drift off, or to consider all the things going on in life. 

There is only the audience to focus on, watching their nonverbals and responding accordingly. What’s hitting home, what’s not. Who had a deeply emotional connection to the specific line. Which phrases or points packed the most punch. The speaking itself is muscle memory, the true presence in in the micro adaptions to the audience to provide them the best possible experience.

Having an opportunity to speak to an audience is a practice in forced presence and focus, I am so appreciative for that opportunity!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for The Deadline, Flight Discipline, & Releasing Control While Choosing Mindset

Day 2,228

Growth:

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 2:11

This quote has been top of mind for everal reasons today. In some cases I lived the moment in accordance with this thought, other times I worked in direct opposition to it and considered the right action afterward. The more I practice this quote the closer I will be to closing the gap between who I am and who I should be.

Nothing focuses us on a goal as knowing the deadline is soon at hand. Death is the ultimate deadline, its date unknown, and always sooner than desired.

Appreciation:

Time on flights used to be consumed with watching movies. I still remember watching at least three movies on one of our longer flights to or from Australia. I’d find a moive I wanted to watch, throw it on, and then dissolve into the screen.

More recently I’ve realized that the time on a flight is one of my last bastions of opportunity if I so choose. Rather than a movie I fired up my phone and started typing a presentation I’ll be giving soon. I was able to create a littlle over two hours of opportunity I could have easily squandered. I’m grateful for my flight discipline.

Presence:

My flight out of Minneapolis was a little bumpy early on. Within minutes of the wheels leaving the ground we started getting bounced around pretty heavily. I closed my eyes for a moment. I took a deep breath, relaxed, and realized this would be an opportune moment to practice remembering what is under my control and what is not. The bumps and shakes were outside of me, but I could choose how I responded. I looked to the front of the plane and enjoyed the next couple of minutes of the roller coaster ride.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Another de Mello Quote, an Outsider’s View, and Thought Provoking Storytelling

Day 2,227

Growth:

“Are you listening for something to confirm what you already think or are you listening to learn?”

Anthony de Mello

What a succinct reminder to listen with the right intent rather than the intention to be right.

Appreciation:

I’m appreciative of those moments when someone else helps me see that being me in the way I was meant to be me is s strength that I should embrace warmly and attempt to live into more often. A while back someone helped me realize that we often take our strengths for granted as we assume everyone has the same strength. Having it pointed out can be humbling, but is as Leo a wonderful guidepost that we’re living more closely into our best selves.

Presence:

Getting lost in a thought provoking story is an awesome thing. Sure, I’ve seen the movie Wild, but the book is already blowing my mind. I was completely enraptured while starting it today!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Weakness Leaving the Body, Becky’s Drive, & Embracing the Suck

Day 2,226

Growth:

Someone once said that suffering while exercising is really just weakness leaving the body. Sounds all badass and stuff until I’m in the heat of the moment when I’m suffering. During yoga today I reminded myself of that concept while desperately wanting to suck air because my lungs were on fire. Rather than give I decided to shed some weakness. I suffered through and realized I can push myself further do long as I become a better friend to self chosen suffering.

Appreciation:

I’m grateful for Becky’s discipline for exercising today. Thanks to her inspiration I knocked out two wonderful workouts and will sleep like a champ. I’d like to think I’d still do at least one workout, but thanks to Becky’s drive I don’t have to guess, I just do.

Presence:

In the moment my lungs were burning I dove right into the burn. I focused on it, took in every once of it, and was 100% present in it. Honestly, it sucked horribly while simultaneously felt incredibly liberating and exhilarating.

Thanks!!!