Intentionally Take a Break

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This Week's Summary:

Learned: Surgical recovery

Planning: What’s your plan?

Business idea: Audit prep

Vet Opp: Adaptive Sports for Veterans

I met: Christmas Gumbo Open House

Stoic Quote of the Week

No man is more fragile than another: no man more certain than another of tomorrow.

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

When you read this, I will be in some form of a hospital bed, either prepping, getting cut, or recovering from surgery. As I write this letter today and think about that happening in a few days, it also reminds me of the subject I plan to talk about today during my monthly live, Rest Actively. Perfect subjects happening at the perfect time. The hardest thing about surgery for me is the recovery. I am one of those people who has worked out and been physically active my entire life. I was always outside doing something physical growing up, whether it was playing football, riding bikes, or mowing lawns. I was always active and moving. I discovered weights in high school, and I’ve been lifting them ever since. My time in the Army solidified physical action as part of who I am. 25 years of working out 5 days or more a week. Even after 15 years of being out of the Army, I am still physically active. I get up each morning and work out. I have realized the benefits of it both mentally and physically. I know that it can’t be replaced. However, now my physical ability and reality have converged to stop me. Thus, the surgery today. That also means it is time to rest actively and properly. For me, a physical limitation is never acceptable because I believe there is always a way to get things done and still accomplish what I want. Resting actively doesn’t mean that I’m going to lie in bed for a week after surgery that’s not the guy I am. It also doesn’t mean that I’m going to the gym tossing iron around. I know I have to do something physical daily for my mental wellness. It will likely start with walking around the house on day 1 and progress to walking the block, then to a light ruck, and finally back to my routine. Rest actively is about movement that is different from the movement that you’ve been doing. I used to believe that rest days meant that I worked back and bi’s, vice chest, and tri’s (BTW, leg day is every day). What rest actively means is physical movement, different. If you are a runner, go ice skating, skiing, or swimming. If you are a lifter, go for a bike ride. Rest is never about sitting and doing nothing. Rest actively activates the different muscles and prevents injuries. It also changes our perspective. If you are in meetings all day, then read a book. If you spend time alone grinding out your business, then get out and meet people. We want to exercise a change in our environment to rest actively. Mentor someone. Spend some time on your thinking bench. Write. Do something different, intentionally. That’s what rest actively means.

Planning thought of the week:

I asked a bunch of questions about last year and the coming year last night in our Veteran Business Leader Mastermind. The intent was to get us all thinking about what we did in ’24 and what we want to do in ’25. This is your opportunity to put a plan in place and execute it to achieve the success you want. Just like each day that ends in “y”. Put a plan together and take action!

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

Do you have an audit plan? If you work for the federal government, you better. It’s coming. At least, that is what I have heard. What a great reminder for us business owners. We need to do an honest audit of our business regularly. How many subscription products are you using? Is the payroll company you are using capable of supporting your growth? It’s time to get in front of the curve, whether you do the audit internally or outsource, or it happens as part of your business ability to perform ISO, CMMC, licensing, or standards.

?

Reply with Steel Men, and I will add you to the list of men interested. This group is limited to 12 men. Feel free to give me a shout if you want to learn more.

Veteran opportunity of the week:

The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic registration is open. The event takes place 23-30 Aug 2025. This is a great opportunity to explore and participate in adaptive sports. Learn more here: Veteran Adaptive Sports.

Someone I met this week:

We just wrapped up our annual Christmas Gumbo Open House. It is probably one of Ms. Suzanne’s and my favorite days of the year. We have a house full of friends and family all Sunday afternoon. There is no better way to catch up and build relationships with friends and family than to eat gumbo together. Every year, there is a different group of people. We’ve had as many as 150 people and zero leftover gumbo and as little as 30 people with lots of gumbo leftovers. There is no doubt that this is a special day on our calendar. We’ve already started to plan for next year. I’m not authorized to tell you the date for 2025. I can disclose that it will be on a Sunday in December, prior to Christmas 2025.

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