Snow Be Gone!

This Week’s Summary:

Learned: Attitude service

Planning: Time…time

Business idea: Don’t make a job

Vet Opp: 12 more months!

I met: Holy Smoke

Stoic Quote of the Week

Virtue is something lofty, elevated, regal, unconquerable, and untiring; pleasure is something lowly and slavish.

-Seneca

What I learned this week:

Adrian and I served together on my second Operational Detachment-Alpha. We’ve known each other for a very long time and have always stayed in touch. This week, Adrian did what he does, he helped me. I didn’t want it, but I needed it. Following my latest back surgery, I am on limited duty, no lifting, no bending, no twisting, which equals no snow plowing and no snow shoveling. Both are a chore that I handle with pride, similar to when I had a lawn to mow. Yes, it is a chore that I have to do, but it is a chore that I take pride in, except I can’t do it. That is why we have a tribe. Adrian didn’t ask me if I wanted him to come to my house and plow and shovel. He asked how much snow I got, then replied, I’ll be there in 30 minutes. If he had asked me if I wanted his help, I, of course, would have said, “No, we got this. Suzanne will shovel.” That is not the right answer and is an unacceptable solution for someone like Adrian. Someone who loves to give and help others, especially people in his tribe. Adrian’s efforts to help me are such a great reminder of how each of us can do little things to help others. It doesn’t have to be a project that takes massive effort. It can be the little things, from holding a door to putting a shopping cart in the corral to cooking a meal for someone. Heck, it can be just a smile that makes the difference. The beauty of it all comes back to service to others. It doesn’t take much to make a difference in someone else’s life, if you are willing to live with an attitude of service.

Planning thought of the week:

Time…time…time. No matter what you do, it continues on. There are more shiny objects and distractions now than there ever have been. If you do not take the TIME to plan your TIME, it is lost forever. Set aside some time each day, to prep for the day. Set aside some time each week to prep for the week. If you want to learn my technique of time allocation, contact me and I’ll walk you through it.

Business idea I heard about or thought of:

Businesses open because of the passion of the founder who came up with the idea. They fail for various reasons, including the owner losing the passion for the business. I’ve seen it too many times. What tends to happen is the thing is exciting and new and draws the founder into the excitement of creation. Then, the business became successful, and the founder created a job. A job that he loves and enjoys until he doesn’t. We all change. Sometimes, with intention, sometimes, it just happens. One morning, you wake up, and the business that you created is all of a sudden a job that is draining you instead of a passion that fulfills you. Now what? Let’s rewind the clock. When you start your business, be consciously aware that you are not creating a job for yourself in the long term. Of course, when you start, it is a job because there is no one else to do the work. Watch your time and effort and see how you are spending it. Great founders, who are great leaders, work themselves out of a job. They realize there are people who can do certain aspects of the business better than themselves, and they teach, mentor, and coach these people to take over and set them up for success. Don’t burn your passion out. See how you and your team can grow.

The Steel Men Tribe is launching in February. If you want to be part of this small tight knit tribe of men who are changing the world, go to Steel Men Tribe and schedule a call to see if you are a fit.

Veteran opportunity of the week:

Thanks to a fellow Veteran who decided to take the time and effort to fight against something that wasn’t done right by the government, you may be eligible for an additional 12 months of VA education benefits. I know I am going to check into it for myself because I paid into the Montgomery GI Bill and never received the benefits. I don’t know what I will do with an extra 12 months of education benefits. I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

Someone I met this week:

I always enjoy a good cigar with a couple of fingers of whiskey to accompany it. There is a group of folks around the country and quite possibly the world who believe the same thing strongly enough to create a great group of people called Holy Smokes. I was able to make it to one of the Holy Smokes gatherings this week. No surprise, I spent most of the time talking with my new friend Mark about turkey hunting. Mark loves turkey hunting, which is an understatement. I now have a much better understanding of turkey hunting and will be adding that to my Spring activities going forward. When someone shares their passion with you, it is hard not be just a little curious about how you can join in that passion with them.

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