Transformative Connections, Pruning, and Everyday Excellence: A Journey Towards Fruitful Achievement

“There’s nothing weak about humility in leadership.  It’s actually a sign of confidence.” – Jim Weber, CEO of Brooks Running

Happy Friday, Brew Nation! 

Grab your favorite coffee cup, 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:

  • Uncommon Leader Insights –  Life presents us with crossroads that inspire transformative decisions. In my recent podcast episode featuring Dude and Duder author Jeff Goodrich, we dove into the power of simple, consistent, intentional actions. Here are three of my takeaways from our conversation that I hope ignite personal growth and leadership development in you.
  1. Continuous Learning: Embracing a Learner’s Mindset – Jeff’s mother instilled in him the profound importance of reading. Similarly, we can adopt a learner’s mindset by engaging in regular reading, exploring new content, and looking for someone to hold you accountable. These actions expand our knowledge and equip us for better leadership.
  2. Improvement is not Possible without Humility – Jeff’s journey began with a profound realization that he was merely coasting through life. This moment would not have been possible had he not had the humility to accept that he needed to change, thus illuminating areas in need of attention.
  3. The Power of Consistency – Jeff’s journey from walking his dog to running a 50-mile trail race exemplifies the transformative power of small changes. Similarly, in my health transformation journey, a seemingly simple step like #stopeatingfrenchfries sparked significant change. By consistently taking these small steps, we unleash the potential for extraordinary transformations.

Jeff’s story serves as a powerful example of intentionality. By introducing small habits and embracing intentional actions, we ignite personal development and also inspire those around us.

Change is not an elusive destination to be reached only via rocket ship. Rather, it is within walking distance—one step at a time. The uncommon leader recognizes that greatness lies in the everyday, seemingly small actions.

To gain further insights from Jeff’s remarkable story, I invite you to listen to the entire episode here.

  • Grow Daily – One of my favorite chapters in the Bible John 15. In this profound chapter, John beautifully illustrates the essence of growth using the analogy of a tree. Interestingly, our very own Growing Champions logo was inspired by the wisdom found within Chapter 15 of the gospel of John.

John 15:2 states, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes SO THAT (emphasis added by me) it will be even more fruitful.” In our pursuit of personal and professional growth, we often encounter the challenge of pruning areas where we are already thriving, temporarily making us smaller. However, pruning is precisely what we need to continue producing abundant fruit. It’s evident that cutting off dead branches is necessary, such as shedding bad habits, toxic relationships, or unfulfilling work. Yet, the real test lies in the pruning process itself.

Pruning is not intended to hinder growth but to revitalize it. Without pruning, a tree can never reach its full potential. Pruning creates space for new growth and stimulates production. Similarly, in leadership, pruning might involve deselecting certain projects or responsibilities, deferring tasks to others, or delegating to a capable team. By engaging in intentional pruning, we maintain our strength and allow room for fresh growth.

It’s important to recognize that if a branch is weak or diseased, it not only hampers its own growth but also poses a risk to the surrounding trees. Likewise, in our personal and professional lives, addressing weaknesses and challenges through pruning ensures our continued strength and positively impacts those around us.

As we navigate the journey of growth, let’s embrace the wisdom of John 15. Just as a tree flourishes through pruning, we too can reach new heights by letting go of what no longer serves us, revitalizing our purpose, and creating space for growth. Remember, pruning may be challenging, but it is necessary for us to bear the fruits of our full potential.

  • Read More Here we go.  We are traveling together on a journey with an inspiring speaker, and author, Ed Mylett, and his book “The Power of One More – The Ultimate Guide to Success and Happiness”.  As an avid listener of Mylett’s podcast, I’m thrilled to revisit this remarkable book that holds a special place in my Top Ten influential reads. Join me as we uncover the profound wisdom within its pages. Got your copy yet? Let’s dive in!

Chapter Five  – “One More Association”

In Ed Mylett’s chapter on the impact of associations in his book, “One More,” he delivers a powerful quote to start: “You could be one association from changing your entire life.” The people we choose to surround ourselves with have a profound influence on our journey towards success and fulfillment. Let’s explore the key highlights and insights from Mylett’s chapter.

Mylett emphasizes that our peer group is the most potent force and influencing agent in our world. The individuals we spend the most time with are the ones who will shape and mold our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. He introduces the concept of the relationship bullseye, with the outermost ring comprising strangers we encounter daily, followed by acquaintances and casual relationships. However, it is the innermost circle, consisting of a small group of people who impact us daily, that holds the utmost significance.

To evaluate the impact of our closest relationships, Mylett encourages us to reflect on the two, three, or four individuals outside of our family with whom we have spent the most time in the past 90 days. Are these individuals aligned with the qualities and experiences we desire in our own lives? Whether it’s business success, fitness levels, spirituality, or emotional well-being, it’s crucial to assess whether these relationships serve the needs of our inner circle.

Mylett emphasizes that quality should always take precedence over quantity when it comes to associations. Even spending a small amount of time with the right people can make a significant difference in our lives. Our inner circle should inspire us at a gut level, fueling our aspirations and pushing us to new heights.

However, Mylett acknowledges that distancing ourselves from someone who is no longer compatible with our evolving thoughts, beliefs, and goals can evoke feelings of guilt. Despite this challenge, it is essential to prioritize our personal growth and surround ourselves with individuals who align with our vision for the future.

This chapter on associations serves as a powerful reminder that our connections shape our destiny. By carefully selecting our associations and ensuring they align with our values and goals, we can create a transformative impact on our lives.

Next week: One More Dream

Quote of the week:   How about a quick prayer this week from the Bible App Verse of the Day?  “God, You know everything about me.  You know the areas in my life that have potential but are being held back by broken habits and belief systems.  Please bring clarity and healing to my life by cutting away anything that is cluttering or destroying my heart and mind.  Transform me so that I continue to bear healthy fruit.”

Call to Action:  So, what dead branches are you dragging around?  Is it possible that you need some pruning to grow to your full potential.  Take a few moments and reflect on areas in your life that you recognize need to change.  Need someone to help to hold you accountable in an area?  Set up a free call with me at https://coachjohngallagher.com/freecall and see if coaching may be helpful for you.

It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”.  Each week, I’m excited 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! 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, Go 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!!

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To become Champion leader, we have to be on a continuous improvement journey for ourselves and others.  We have to be able to take advantage of the precious seconds that we have each day.  
 
There are things that I come across each week that help me, inspire me, relax me, motivate me, and are sometimes are just funny that I want to share with you so that you can smile more, build faith, think positively, network well, exercise often, eat healthy, and grow daily.
 

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