December 17, 2024

It's here.?

Holiday season.?

Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Day, and other holidays marked by celebration.?

Recently, I've reflected quite a bit on the past year. I've been on my entrepreneurial journey for almost a decade, and it's been a wild ride. I'd like to forget the first couple of years, except there were so many lessons, and I'd be less of a person without those struggles. The past few years have been more like "pinch me." It's better than I could have hoped for when I made the leap.?

But as I wrote in my journal today, life has no arrival point. We can never say, "I have arrived," and take our focus off showing up and giving it our best each day. It's like someone said, "If you are on the right track—and just sit there—you will be run over."?

So true. I've been thinking a lot about 2025. What goals do I want to achieve, what does the plan look like, and what will be required?

I've also been thinking about a concept you may be familiar with: "One Word." I've done it before, and it's time to bring it back.?

Early in my business, my word was "Discipline." It reminded me that, to reach my goals, I needed to do what I said I'd do, regardless of how I felt. I had it as my screensaver and lock screen and kept a notecard with the word on my desk, reminding me of my intentions.?

I challenge you to come up with a word that defines your intentions for 2025. One Word creates clarity and vision and can replace the New Year's Resolution that will be dead in the water by February.?

Just One Word.?

Why not join me? If you do, let me know what your word is.?

I haven't landed on my One Word yet, but I'm considering it.?

Simplify? Elevate? Transform? Flourish? Focus? Adventure?

Maybe.

I'm still thinking.?

Let me know what you come up with, and I'll report back in a couple of weeks.?

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The Huddle?is a weekly newsletter that is designed for leaders. Leaders must be learners. There is never a?moment?when leaders arrive. It's a never-ending growth process. I hope this can be a resource that you can use to stay sharp and share with your team.?

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With that, here are some things I ran across this week.?

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A Real Hero -?Last week was the 83rd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt told the nation it was "a date which will live in infamy." More than 2,300 American servicemen were killed, and many of the bodies were never recovered.?

I found inspiration in a story about the ceremony last week.?104-year-old Ike Schab was one of two living survivors who attended a ceremony at Pearl Harbor. Here's the part that got me: He went to physical therapy for six weeks before the event. He wanted to be able to stand up and salute the flag on behalf of his fellow service members.?

Afterward, he said, "I was honored to do it. I'm glad I was capable of standing up. I'm getting old, you know."?

He's 104. He's?getting old,?you know.?

I'm not sure they make 'em like Ike anymore.?

Live Long -?While we are on the subject of getting old,?here's an interesting read based on the results of a recent study?on longevity published in?Medicine and Science for Sports and Exercise.?The study looked at factors believed to be important in living a long, healthy life:?smoking, chronic disease mobility, and the like.?

Guess what was determined to be the number one variable for longevity? How much and how vigorously you move are more important than how old you are as a predictor of how many years you have left.?

It's the simple things.

Questions are the Answer -?Nothing provokes thinking like a good question. In my leadership and management sessions, I'll often ask this: If someone with similar experience and expertise took over your job tomorrow, what would be the first three to five things they would focus on??

That question has unlocked a lot of good conversation, thinking, and renewed focus.?

Leaders would be wise to be collectors of great questions.?Here is a list of 25 to ponder. I like "What's the area of growth I'm avoiding because it feels uncomfortable?"?

The Power of Self-Reflection -?David Sandler once said that "sales is like a Broadway play performed by a psychiatrist." I find that to be funny—and true.?

In sales, we play a role. There are scenes and co-stars. We must consider each person's fears, ambitions, and make-up in the scene. What fears do they have? What fears do I have? On and on.?

Reflecting on a sales interaction from a third-party observer stance allows for reflection and learning.?Here's a very short clip from Simon Sinek on the power of self-reflection.?

A quote to leave you with?

Have a great week!