Happy Good Friday, Brew Nation! It’s an honor to be back as your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy” I’m thrilled to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me!
Are you aware that The Champions Brew explores various topics that I frequently coach and consult on with other leaders and organizations? If you or someone you know is seeking to elevate their business or personal life from underperforming to uncommon, I would love to connect with you and discuss 1:1 or group coaching, as well as performance consulting. In fact, click the following link to schedule a FREE CALL to explore how coaching could benefit you and your team. Let’s work together to unleash your full potential and achieve your goals!
Now, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:
- Read More – Procrastinate on Purpose – 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time – Time is a precious resource that we all have in equal measure. In his book ‘Procrastinate on Purpose,’ Rory Vaden shares a powerful insight: you can multiply your time by spending it on things today that will give you more time tomorrow. But how can we do that when we can’t stop the clock, call a timeout, or rewind? Time management is a myth. Instead, by eliminating, automating, and delegating tasks, we can gain a larger return on the time we invest in activities. Vaden’s approach to priority management is sure to resonate with anyone who finds themselves too busy in their daily life. If you’re looking for a book that will help you gain control of your time and achieve more with less stress, ‘Procrastinate on Purpose’ may be a book for you.
As I read through the book, I found myself ‘comparing’ the author’s “Focus Funnel” with the 5 D’s that I often consult with clients on:
| Procrastinate on Purpose – Focus Funnel | Gallagher’s Five D’s |
| Eliminate | Deselect |
| Automate | Deconstruct* |
| Delegate | Delegate |
| Procrastinate | Defer |
| Concentrate | Do |
I’m a firm believer in process improvement before technology, which is why I use an asterisk (*) to denote that I may improve a process before automating it. This means taking a close look at each step of the process to identify and reduce any wasteful activities. As the author of ‘Procrastinate on Purpose’ points out, time management is a myth, and I couldn’t agree more. In my experience, one of the biggest pain points for clients is feeling too busy to get everything done. That’s why I’m so aligned with the author’s Focus Funnel and his practical tips and techniques for making the most of our time. By implementing these strategies, we can all achieve more and finally take control of our schedules.
- Exercise Daily – Have you ever done stick mobility? I went to a “Free stretch class” this week at the gym and was introduced to this mobility exercise. Oh, and it hurt so good! I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. Here is some more “info” on it:
Stick Mobility is a type of functional training that involves using a specially designed stick to perform exercises that improve mobility, flexibility, and stability. The stick is typically around 4-7 feet in length and has a flexible, durable design that allows it to be used in a variety of ways. During a Stick Mobility workout, participants use the stick to perform exercises that mimic natural movements and improve joint mobility and strength. These exercises are designed to work the entire body, from the feet and ankles all the way up to the shoulders and neck. Stick Mobility was created by a team of fitness professionals with a goal of helping people of all ages and fitness levels to move better and feel better. The exercises are adaptable to individual needs and can be used for everything from injury rehabilitation to high-intensity workouts.
Here is a link to a video describing Stick Mobility: CLICK HERE
I knew after I was done that I felt some immediate relief (the number of times my back ‘popped’ should have been a good indication as well as the sweat beads on my shirt!) but that I was going to be pretty sore the next day, which I was! I will try it again, though. #mandatorymobility
- Read More – OK, let’s get this John Maxwell party started! This week, I am kicking off the review of John Maxwell’s newest book, the 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. Unlike the review of the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership that I was reading through for the third time, we will be going through this book for the first time together. I am sure it will be a fun ride. The first chapter in the book is:
Law # 1 – The Law of Credibility
Your Most Effective Message is the One You Live
It seems obvious that the subtitle of this chapter would ring true: “Your most effective message is the one you live”, and it is. But, in terms of being a better communicator, I think Jamie Kern Lima, author of Believe it, said it best “Authenticity (sic, living your message) doesn’t automatically guarantee success, BUT Inauthenticity guarantees failure.” Think of one of your favorite communicators. It could be an influencer, a pastor, a teacher, or a friend. This communicator likely had the qualities of transparency, consistency, competence, and trustworthiness. To me, those are the price of admission to get people to hear you, but the author talks about the levels of influence you can have as a communicator based upon the level of LEADERSHIP that you are at with those groups:
1. The Requirement level – People HAVE to listen. This is the lowest level.
2. The Relationship level – People WANT to listen because of the relationship you have with them
3. The Remarkable level – People LIKE to listen because you’re good. You achieve this level by continuously practicing your communication
4. The Reason level – People SEEK to listen because you add value to their lives.
5. The Return level – People are EAGER to listen because of who you are. This takes a lifetime to achieve.
It’s highly likely that you can think of a notable speaker or communicator who embodies each of these levels. However, the real question to consider is where you perceive yourself to fit in this framework when communicating with different individuals and groups on a regular basis. Ultimately, how would others evaluate your credibility as a communicator?
As leaders, we aspire to reach the pinnacle of success. Similarly, as communicators, we must strive to achieve the same level of excellence. Luckily, we have the ability to enhance our skills and refine our techniques. We must adhere to the Law of Credibility to attain the highest level of proficiency.
Quote
“What you are stands over you…and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: So, what are you reading right now? Share it on the blog! You are what you consume!!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Read More, Exercise Daily and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
