Uncommon Sense: And Caramel Apple Tart

This will help you be the best YOU...

My buddy once told me that I was the Ultimate Test Lab. I wasn’t quite sure what he meant until he elaborated on this thought.?

He went on to tell me how important it is to set goals and go after them, especially when exercising.

When we do this, we are able to test ourselves and push ourselves beyond our limits. We discover a part of us we didn’t know existed.

You will be amazed at how effective the ‘Ultimate Test Lab’ principle is when you apply it to your life. You will be an?incredible?husband, energetic father, and?efficient business owner.

I’m sure you already know exercise is good for you, but did you know it can boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help deal with depression, anxiety, stress, and more?

There are so many benefits when we check?the box of exercising, but if you are looking to go above and beyond...feel the best you've ever felt...it’s time to become the Ultimate Test Lab.?

Here’s how to do it:?

1. Set Goals

• Not a runner?Train for a Marathon.?
• Don’t like lifting weights?Join a CrossFit gym and train for a CrossFit competition.
• Hate swimming?Join a Rec Center and train for a Triathalon.

2. Keep Tabs?

• Make sure you track your progress.?
• Record PR’s (personal records).?
• Celebrate milestones.?

3. Rinse & Repeat

• After you run that marathon, train for another one…or find something else to train for.??
• Don’t go back into idle mode. Your family deserves the best YOU.
• The goal is to set new goals and go after them.

I know you keep telling yourself there has to be more to this life…and there is!

One of the things you?can control is your fitness lifestyle. You have the ability to set goals and train hard to reach them.?

Remember, when you choose to become the Ultimate Test Lab, you and your family gets the best version of YOU.??

Watch the full video on YouTube!

This has helped me WIN BIG in my businesses...

If you are a business owner and your days are getting away from you, you are spending countless hours in the office, and/or you’re up to your neck in the weeds of your business…it might be time to hire an extra hand, and another…and another.?

I get it, hiring someone can be somewhat terrifying, but it will help you sustain your business and reach higher heights.?

I realized a long time ago, if I want to be able to buy other businesses, invest in real-estate, spend more time with my family, etc. I have to hire more people.?

The best decision I made a while back was to over hire. I have strategically hired people to do the things that I’m not great at or just don’t want to do.

For example, Sierra takes care of the day-to-day operations, Taknesha cooks majority of the meals, Kristen makes sure we are packed with everything we need for the events we do…the list goes on and on.?

If I did not have these people on my team, two of my businesses,?Mealfit and Table & Thyme, would not be doing as well as they are.?

So, if you feel as though you are doing too much, or not doing well enough...Here are three?steps you can take?to start over hiring:?

1. Check Your Budget?

• Are you bringing in sufficient funds?to hire someone else??
• You as an individual are going to make less by hiring someone, but it will save you so much time and make you more money in the future.

2. Make A List Of Tasks

• What are the things?you are doing now that you don’t like/are not good at?
• Write these things down, and from there create a title and a job description for that role.

3. Hire The Right People

• Jim Collins, wrote in his book Good To Great,?“If you are going to be a great company, you have to have the right people on the bus”.?
• Come up with a list of questions for the interview that will help you?get to know the person and make sure they are the person for the job.?

Over hiring will take your business to the next level.

Sure, you might make less money, have a few bad hires, and more in the beginning. However,?you and your business will win in the long-run.

Watch the full video on YouTube!

This Week's Treat: Caramel Apple Tart

Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1 (14–17 oz) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup homemade caramel sauce
• 5 large apples (preferably a mix of Granny Smith, Gala and/or Cortland), cored, cut into ?" slices (about 2 ? lbs)
• ? tsp kosher salt

Instructions:

1. Arrange a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 400°F. Arrange puff pastry sheets next to each other on parchment so that longer sides are touching. Pinch seam together and gently roll to an 18x13" rectangle. Transfer with parchment to a rimmed baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a ?” border around pastry (for a decorative border, make small shallow diagonal cuts with a paring knife).
2. Heat caramel in a small bowl in a microwave on high until smooth and pourable, about 30 seconds, or heat in a small pot over medium, stirring occasionally, until smooth and runny, about 5 minutes. Transfer 1 Tbsp caramel to another small bowl; set aside.
3. Toss apples and salt in a large bowl. Pour remaining caramel over and toss to combine.
4. Arrange apple slices in 4 tight, overlapping rows on pastry, leaving a ?” border on all sides. Drizzle with any remaining caramel left in bowl.
5. Bake tart until crust and edges of apples are golden brown, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
6. Add 1 Tbsp hot water to reserved caramel in small bowl, whisk to combine, and brush over apples with a pastry brush. Cut into pieces to serve.
7. Tart can be made 6 hours ahead; store uncovered at room temperature and brush with glaze just before serving.

Prefer a How-To Video? Catch it here!

Quote Of The Day: "Good is the enemy of great."- Jim Collins

Interested in learning more? Come hang out on our podcast Owners Table where I have conversations with successful owners from the boardroom to the dinner table. You can find it wherever you stream:

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Be blessed,

TC