Day 2,958

Growth:

Clarity is such a truly important component of success. Throughout a couple of learning sessions today I was reminded of how critical it is to share the clarity of expectations. Whenever there’s a gap between the goal and result there’s often an issues of clarity which may have resulted in failure. So glad I had the reminders toady before they could have become issues!

Appreciation:

There’s always a reason to say I’m too busy or that the timing isn’t quite right. There are some things that are too important to pass up, things that time should be made for. Our annual Express Leadership Academy Retreat is one of those events.

I’m beyond grateful for taking the time to get together with so many cohorts to learn from them, to bond with them, and to grow with. This time has been worth every moment and every cost, no question! This was exactly what my business soul needed to get back into the right headspace.

Presence:

So often we don’t learn the impact we’ve left on others until long after the fact. Over the past 24+ hours I’ve had multiple conversations with others who made changes to their business thanks to past trainings I’ve done. Each has left me smiling, full of joy, and feeling so blessed to have had the opportunity to help. Each of those moments have left a positive mark and remind me to stay the course of living into my purpose.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,957

Growth:

After a while it seems as if many books, stories, and the like all lead back to a common place. Trust in something larger than ourselves. Find peace in the humbleness of knowing just how tiny we are. Love others freely and make a gift of ourselves. Challenge ourselves to grow. Take in intentional moments of solitude. Learn and grow from mistakes. Make the most of each moment we are blessed to have. Be okay knowing that one day we will die.

All so easily said/typed and all so difficult in practice.

Appreciation:

I’m struggling a bit on this one tonight. There are a couple of threads and many individual fibers, but it doesn’t feel like a list day. I think I’m going to push myself for one today.

Hmm…

What I’m most thankful for today is realizing more clearly that it is okay to say when I am not doing okay. To be humble and realize that even though I am known by others for always smiling and being joyful that there are times when I’m not and it is okay.

Truly, I’m all good, all is well. That said, I’ve got frustrations. I’ve got internal struggles. I’ve not fully lived into the person I should be. It is okay. Give myself grace to accept that and to occasionally not be happy as a result. That said, continue to see what lies across the gap, work to grow into that person, and don’t get discouraged. When I scrap my knee it is okay to swear and acknowledge the pain, it is okay to do the same in other aspects of life.

Interesting dude note – in those moments of being down it is wild to see how many nudges The Big Dude Upstairs sends your way to raise you back up, to help you grow. Today those nudges were plentiful and they filled my soul.

Wow, I’m really glad I worked through that one tonight! Never would have guessed this would be where I ended up.

Presence:

We’ve got so many opportunities to connect virtually that we can often express everything we want in an instant. That said, there’s something about a big hug that just doesn’t translate quite the same way. Getting the opportunity to see my buddy Johnny in person to give him the hug I owed him from when his father passed away will be a memory I will never forget.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,956

Growth:

Travel is an investment in joy. This evening Becky found a short video for us to watch talking about traveling around Iceland for two weeks. As we watched highlights of what we’ve already witnessed and found new sights to see next time we bonded, smiled, remembered, and dreamed together. So many travel moments we’ve shared which continue to bring us so much joy!

Appreciation:

Ever since about 5pm we’ve had loud noises emanating from our basement. Screams, howls, yelling, and so much laughter! Gavin’s got a group of his buddies over to hang out and play games while devouring pizza and snacks. It has been nonstop noise and I’m loving every minute of it! During many of the sports seasons Gavin’s so busy that there just isn’t time to hang out like this. Hearing all the sounds of fun roaring up show that they’re all taking time to do exactly what they should be doing, acting like the goofy teenagers they are, loving every moment together.

Presence:

Watching Leia experience her first snowfall was sublime. I could do nothing but stand in awe as she pivoted her head from side to side to observe the snow falling upon her. Leia then spent time bound in the snow across the backyard, stopping only to sniff and lick it. After a few minutes she became more adventurous and hopped up on our patio table and slid around with a huge puppy grin. Pausing to take it all in through eyes filled my soul.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,955

Growth:

Whenever the book Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer enters a conversation or a thought my brain goes immediately to a quote the author shares:

There was loneliness, too, as the sun set, but only rarely now did doubts return. Then I felt sinkingly as if my whole life lay behind me. Once on the mountain I knew (or trusted) that this would give way to total absorption with the task at hand. But at times I wondered if I had not come a long way only to find that what I really sought was something I had left behind.

Thomas F. Hornbein, Everest: The West Ridge

Each time I think of this quote I am reminded to pause, be present, and appreciate what I have rather want what I do not.

Appreciation:

Over the past few weeks I’ve been emailing one of Gavin’s favorite coaches regarding book recommendations. I’ve enjoyed hearing about books I hadn’t picked up yet and have enjoyed being reminded of some excellent ones I read in the past few years. Funny how the more we talk about something the more we focus on it and are reminded of how important it is to us. As we talk about books like Into Thin Air, The Push, and Endurance I can’t help but realize I need to go back through and re-read some of those stories again. There is so much to be learned from those outdoor adventure books!

It also has me re-thinking my book rotation a bit. I’ve strayed a bit from my nonfiction, fiction, autobiography/biography/history rhythm recently and am considering adding a couple more categories including outdoors, science, and classical fiction. The additions of those would help add more variety AND help me catch up on some of the greats I’ve been missing.

All that from a few emails to a teacher about reading lists. Not too shabby!

Presence:

While taking a phone call something caught my attention outside my window. A shimmering emerald blizzard blew across my window. The sun partnered with the wind to light up the shiny green leaves of the tree nearest my window while the wind flung them from the tree. There was even an accumulation of over one inch of leaves on the picnic table right below it! For the next half hour or so the leaves all seemed to call it a year at the same time as they blanketed the ground all around the tree. Such a delightful moment I happened to witness.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,954

Growth:

We all own the answers to true joy. It is within all our grasps, we need only reach for it. If we dig deep we can all find the way to live a joyful life.

So why don’t I always live a joyful life?

It takes grit and determination to push through the obstacles and stay the course. It takes a mindset of growth to learn to adapt. It takes a focus on doing the right things when the wrong things can so quickly bring surface level happiness (comfort?). It takes a laser like focus on gratitude, as that’s the one thing that creates the joy itself.

Those steps are hard work. Those steps require discomfort. Why push so hard when there is an endless supply of alleged solutions to get there quickly and easily… and leave us disappointed and worse off when they don’t fully pan out.

You know how to live a joyful life, you have all the tools. Utilize grit, a growth mindset, and gratitude while doing right. It will be difficult, it will be uncomfortable, but the prize is nothing short of a joyful life.

Appreciation:

What a sublimely full day! Time with friends, time with Becky, time with Dominic, time with Gavin. Time talking with Mom. Time outdoors. Time exercising. Time snuggling and playing with Leia. Time working. Time reading. Time reflecting. Time writing. A day very well spent!

Presence:

Hiking the bluffs with Becky and Gavin this afternoon was what my soul was craving. Outside time, physical activity, quietness and fresh air, time away from distractions. My moments outdoors, especially when shared with my family, are solace of my soul.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,953

Growth:

Even during a weekend of hanging out with friends I still function better when I can carve out little pockets of time to be alone. Time with others is fun, but I also need a little quiet time to recharge. Today I found little pockets of time and it helped me enjoy the day.

Appreciation:

Most of our time has been spent laughing and having fun while playing games. That said, the moments of honest dialogue have been amongst my favorite. They did happen often, but those short conversations with friends who can be totally open with each other was very refreshing.

Presence:

Yup, relaxing in a hot tub solo with an epic view of the Mississippi River Valley on a cool fall day… This moment right here.

Thanks!!!

Day 2,952

Growth:

Almost a quarter of a century into my Express career and I continue to learn new things. Today was a reminder of how much can be learned from peers. Several pages of notes were taken, so glad for the opportunity to learn from peers today!

Appreciation:

Board games are an awesome way to pause real life and play in a safe sandbox. Throughout the night we’ve played a handful of different games and it’s been a treat to sit back and take in some social psychological insights while seeing how different interactions occur amongst a group of friends. It’s been a fun way to try out different strategies and tactics while attempting to navigate towards a preset goal, kind of like playing the game of business on speed mode without financial implications. Such a blast!

Presence:

Spending time laughing with friends, letting the guard completely down, playing games, and talking smart – so many fun moments created and shared during a weekend with the guys!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,951

Growth:

Sometimes when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror after a shower I come face to face with parts of me that I’m not a fan of, parts that I’m not proud of, areas for improvement, and parts I feel good about. In preparation for a business panel conversation tomorrow I’ve felt very much the same way. I’ve had to look at how I’ve responded and reacted for both successes and failures, but instead of it being just between the mirror and I there will now be a crowd. Glad I’m okay with being uncomfortable!

Appreciation:

This evening I had the opportunity to reconnect with many of my franchisee friends from WI and MN. So happy to have time to catch up on personal lives while also talking business with cohorts who truly understand what we all go through. The sense of friendship and community is amazing and greatly appreciated!

Presence:

While typing this block I’ve been attacked with passionate puppy kisses to the face no less than four separate times. One time involved Leia pulling my face towards hers with a paw while another had her standing above me on the top couch cushion pushing down on my face to keep me in prime licking position! Each time has left me smiling and laughing 😝

Thanks!!!

Day 2,950

Growth:

Better to pull in a direction together rather than push against opposition. There’s always a way to find the common ground if I pause to look for it. Help find the plus side for all parties involved and then go that way while preserving my values and purpose – there’s a way to help everyone get what they want if I remember to pause and look for it.

Appreciation:

My run this morning was a bastion of quiet and calm in a sea of nonstop action throughout the day. I am exhausted now, the quiet start was the most chill I’ve had all day and without it I’d be asleep or in the fetal position by now. Largely a great day, just a tiring one. So glad to have started it with movement, outdoor time, and in quiet contemplation… accompanied by The Strumbellas 😉

Presence:

Spending time with my Winona team in the Woodlawn Cemetery was wonderful! Excellent conversation, beautiful autumn views, and time outdoors – perfection!

Thanks!!!

Day 2,949

Growth:

I prefer working in an office to working at home, but there are definitely benefits to keep in mind when determining which location is best to work from. Cutting my commute down from 30-35 minutes each way is nothing short of epic and provides a ton of bonus time. Even though I have a preference for the office I need to remember the plus sides of working remote and do it more often.

Appreciation:

I was hoping to spend a little time with Gavin after work today, and I was wrong. Instead we spent a few hours together – making supper, walking the dog, playing outside, doing housework, and shooting the bull and joking the entire time. Such a blast to get some much needed bonus Gavin time like this 🙂 Getting time with the two of us like this always leaves me smiling and grateful for the friendship we have build on top of being a parent. Each evening with bonus Gavin time is a gift, one that I will always be thankful for!

Presence:

After taking Leia for a walk Gavin totally surprised me and asked if we could go toss around a football in the park across the street. Hell yeah! We played catch, kicked, ran routes for each other, practiced handoffs, and messed around with blocking and rough housing. It was AWESOME!!! So much faun spending time with him playing like that outside on one of our last beautiful fall days! Definitely a memory I’ll cherish for years and years.

Thanks!!!