Setting an Example for Others

Stoic Quote of the Week

Our instinct makes nothing compel our profound admiration as much as a man who shows courage in adversity.

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

Because of my background as a Green Beret, I know many (too many) people who have persevered through adversity and tragedy, some of it common, some horrifically scary. I look at these men and women and think to myself, how do they do it? How do they continue with such vigor, such focus? Some of the trials and hardships that some of my friends have endured should be wished on no human being. They range from dying of cancer to losing a child to suicide to losing their physical ability to live as they want. I've seen too much of that, and I often think to myself two deep thoughts when I am around them. First, and most selfishly, "There but for the grace of God, go I." That is such a powerful and selfish thought. It reminds me that anything that happens to someone else can just as easily happen to me. The second one that comes to my mind is a corollary of the first. If that were to happen to me, I pray that I handle it with as much grace and fortitude as they handle it. I watch these friends with awe and admiration and pray for their continued strength and focus on their task, whether their own survival or changing a system in honor of their lost child. The drive to make a difference comes from many places, and each of my friends who have dealt with and are dealing with their own burdens of tragedy are making a difference and creating an impact in our world. I pray that none of you have to walk that path. I pray that if you are or you do have to walk that path, you will do with your head held high and the vigor that they have.

Planning thought of the week:

If you are working on a plan, finish it and begin implementing it as quickly as you can. Too many opportunities are lost because the plan never left the bookshelf or, even worse, never left the computer. Never use the lack of a complete plan as an excuse not to start, and never use the excuse of a lack of time to put together a plan as an excuse not to have one.

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

I just had a week with 10K of my closest friends in Tampa at SOF Week. The number of vendors was almost overwhelming for me since I'm a bit out of practice for this type of show. While I spent each day walking the pathways and speaking with various vendors, I noticed something very interesting: there were very few places to plop down, open up the laptop, and catch up on a few things. There were a few more table tops chairs across the street at the hotels, which gave me the idea. I could rent out those tables by the hour. Not for a big fee; I'm talking like $5/hr. The hotel lobby across the street is a prime location for this. That hotel is the hub for everything outside of the vendor showcases. Because of that, it means that everyone who attends the show walks through that hotel lobby at least once during the show. The secret to business success is location, location, location. Those seats, especially the ones with the tables, are prime locations. I sat at them a few times during the week and used the time to catch up on emails, etc. But it was also a prime target location for me because not only could I spy someone I was looking for, but I was also easily spotted by people looking for me (the hat helped, ??). In the convention center, the big companies with lots of cash flow rented meeting pods. The tabletops in the hotel lobby across the street can easily be rented for $5/hr. If you want to talk through this idea, give me a shout. I have a friend who did the same thing with the meeting rooms at coffee shops and restaurants. His business is called Perfect Venue. Check them out.

Veteran opportunity of the week:

If you are still looking for that career post-military, then carve out some time on 7 June to join in this nationwide job fair. Register and learn more here, Hiring America’s Best: Virtual or In-Person Career Fair (Multiple Locations).

Someone I met this week:

SOF Week, aka Old Home Week, did not disappoint. I was able to reconnect with some guys I hadn't seen in a couple of years, which is always great and a lot of fun. But this venue is different because it is such a huge draw it widens the aperture of people I'm reconnecting with. I'm talking about guys I haven't seen since the Q-Course, which was long enough ago that we mark it in decades now. I was once again pleasantly surprised by how the conversation and the style of conversation were just like it was when we were just stepping into our careers as Green Berets. If you haven't been around our type for very long, then you may not realize what I mean and what it means that style of conversation can pick up again, just like it was a few decades ago. One of our favorite phrases on the team was, "If you want slack, then cut the rope." In other words, if you can't handle the shit-talking, you are not in the right place. I'll just say that it was like we hadn't missed a beat. The power of reconnection, laughter, and giving each other shit with no slack is pretty amazing. I look forward to the continued conversations and my old buddies.

Link to current The Cam & Otis Show podcast episode James Cluskey - Give Learn | Cam & Otis Show Ep.?#257. Please note that we updated our show's webpage to https://www.youtube.com/@thecamandotisshow.

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