Lessons Learned from Uncommon Bonds, a Journey of Optimism, by Lou Banach (Author), Steve Banach (Author), Ed Banach (Author)

Stories matter.

Everyone has a story.

You have a story.

The Banach brothers shared their unique story (journey) in their book, Uncommon Bonds, a Journey of Optimism. As you read the book, you will find, it's actually not a story, it's a legacy. Do yourself a favor today, order your copy and let me know your thoughts. Below you will find the 10 lessons I've learned from Uncommon Bonds. Uncommon Bonds: A Journey in Optimism amazon.com       

10 Lessons Learned from Uncommon Bonds:

Lesson 1 - In the absence of certainty, chaos reigns supreme.

Business and life (in general) can create chaos in the blink of an eye. Can you relate? The survivor has a choice (you simply can’t create certainty at all times) whether scars from the chaos become permanent, or instead give way to new and stronger mental processes that produce resilience.

Q: How did uncertainty/chaos in your business/life create resilience for you?

Lesson 2 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Business and life (in general) provide numerous opportunities to mentor and be mentored. 

Q: Who’s your mentor and who are you mentoring?

Lesson 3 - Prudence is the better part of valor.

Business and life (in general) provides a wonderful platform for character building. It’s like a real-time laboratory, a space and a place to learn tough life lessons, through experience. 

Q: Are you (we) communicating servant-leadership, good sportsmanship, telling the truth, and simply doing your best, every single day?

Lesson 4 - Cradle of optimism, your roots.

Where did you grew up? Is it a community that has pride and standards? A place where things are either right or wrong as measured through values and morals? A place, a feeder system that supply the next generation of children who will go on to be productive citizens in society?

Q: Are your roots a cradle of optimism?

Lesson 5 - Building Character.

With free will comes a choice, especially for leaders who chose to influence and motivate others - in the process of character building. Great leaders spot potential, the dominant strength of their team and individuals, then the next step is to develop that raw talent.

Q: Whom do you inspire? Who’s inspiring you?

Lesson 6 - Cutting away from what is not working.

In business and in life (in general), you sometimes have to take the long-path that will give you real freedom, not the easy short-term route that is followed by the masses.

Q: What do you need to say NO to?

Lesson 7 - The paradox of life (sport).

The paradox of sport is that, while we spend a majority of our time preparing physically for the contest, the experience is 90 percent mental. Self-debate runs the gambit...your thoughts, one brick at a time; support the mental foundation that is necessary to step out of the arena victoriously.

Q: How do you manage your self-debate?

Lesson 8 – Adaptation.

Many professionals struggle to find work-life balance. There is a never-ending arm wrestle going on between personal and professional life.

Q: How do you adapt to find that balance?

Lesson 9 - Beware of Complacency.

We all need to respect our enemies and do our best to support law enforcement and our Armed Forces. The threat is real, inside and outside the United States. This is an issue that should resonate with all Americans. The complacency zone in any area of your life is something you should be acutely aware of.

Q: Are you complacent, today?

Lesson 10 - A Call to Peaceful Action.

In order for us as a Nation to move forward, we must remember our past...

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, “GETTYSBURG ADDRESS” (19 NOVEMBER 1863): The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought here have thus far so nobly, advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

In these words of Abraham Lincoln, there lies a call to action for all of us who value our exceptional past and cherish the notion of passing on a better future to our children.

Q: Let’s not ask what our Country can do for us, but rather, what can you/I/we do for our Country?

What is your story?