Happy Friday, Brew Nation! It’s an honor to be back as your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy” I’m thrilled 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:
- ‘Eat’ Healthy – “We are what we consume”. Have you heard that 100 times before? Your body and mind reflect what you consume. For dinner last night, indulged in a delicious Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich (I hope that doesn’t make me a pig!), but as leaders, we must consider that what we consume goes beyond just our diet. It includes what we put into our minds and souls through our eyes and ears. So, I ask you, what are you consuming? Is it something that elevates you or brings you down?
Here are some things that are sure to bring you down, such as overindulging in unhealthy foods, scrolling through negative social media posts or news articles, and engaging in negative conversations with your peers. These habits can lead to feelings of depression, cynicism, and paranoia.
On the other hand, you can choose to focus on things that lift you up, such as regularly consuming real, whole foods, engaging in daily exercise, and reading self-development and leadership books or blogs, (like the Champions Brew!). Additionally, listening to motivating podcasts, (like the Uncommon Leader Podcast!!), and surrounding yourself with positive, motivated individuals can also elevate your mindset.
To me, the choice is clear – consume what lifts you up. As Proverbs 4:23 wisely states, ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.’ Let us choose to feed ourselves with inspiration and encouragement, both in body and mind.
- Build Faith – This past weekend, I got to travel to Nashville, TN, to observe the wedding of our good friends’ son and his beautiful bride. Our flight departed later on Sunday so we were able to attend church in Nashville at Crosspoint Church. I am so glad we did. The message was inspirational and challenging.
The pastor spoke on “Three Things to Choose in a Storm” – He started off by saying that is wasn’t IF we would have storms or challenges in life, but when. The verse of scripture he referenced was John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But, take heart, I have overcome the world.” Being a man of faith, this hit me really square in the eye. And, my storms seem calm compared to the storms others face, including the families of those whose lives were lost in the senseless tragedy at a Nashville school the following day.
Even if you don’t practice faith, there will be times when you will face storms. One of the frequent sayings that I hear is, “You are either going into a storm, in the middle of a storm, or coming out of a storm.” Life isn’t easy. So, again, the question isn’t ‘if’ you will go through the storm, but when. And when you do, what is your response? Lou Holtz says that “it is not what happens to you that matters, but what happens IN you.”
So, what will happen IN you? What choices will you make? The story in John 16:33 was that of the disciples being rocked around in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. The pastor challenged us with three choices we need to make:
1) Where will we look in a storm? Sound morals and principles provide us with a sense of direction and purpose as we navigate through life’s challenges. They can help us make wise choices, remain true to ourselves, and stay on course when the winds of adversity threaten to blow us off course.
2) Where will we sit in a storm? The people we choose to surround ourselves with can make all the difference. They can offer us a spot to weather the storm, a listening ear to help us process our emotions, or even practical assistance to help us overcome the challenges we face. Life is relationships.
3) What will we hold onto in a storm? Our core values are the fundamental principles that define who we are and what we stand for. They serve as a moral compass, guiding our decisions and actions and helping us navigate through life’s challenges.
- Read More – Reviewing The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership each week with you resulted in some of the most engaging conversations with you, the Champions Brew listeners. So much so that when John Maxwell’s newest book, The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication released on March 28, I felt driven to read this one and I thought we could all read it together for the first time.
When I get a new book in the mail, it feels a little bit like Christmas for sure. I had the chance this week to watch Maxwell Leadership Company’s book launch event where John introduced the book to the public. After watching, I felt even more convinced that this was going to be a great book to jump into, so let’s do it.
Do you all really read the Introduction to a book or go right to the first chapter? I actually find the introduction, conclusion and acknowledgements to be three areas of a book to be some of the most insightful parts. The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic of the book. It should also provide a brief overview of what the book will cover. The conclusion should summarize the main points of the book and leave the reader with something to think about. The acknowledgments should thank the people who helped the author write the book, such as editors, researchers, and family members. I believe the ‘greatest story ever told’ is the moment when someone is asked the question, “Who has made a positive impact on your life?” and they write your name on that list. To me, that is what it would feel like if someone honored me in the acknowledgments of their book. It is a humbling and gratifying experience to know that you have made a difference in someone’s life. It is a reminder that we are all connected and that our actions have the power to impact others in ways that we may never know.
The introduction to this book was successful in grabbing my attention. Here are a few quick notes that were outlined:
- According to the Harvard Business Review, “The number one criteria for advancement and promotion for professionals is the ability to communicate effectively.”
- In one of his standup routines, Jerry Seinfeld saw a study that said “speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. Number two fear was death. This means, to the average person, if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy!”
- “If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark – nothing happens.” – Warren Buffett
I would stop short of saying that I have a fear of public speaking (the author defines public speaking as communicating a message to a group of two or more people), but I still do get nerves. I am all in for lifelong learning and I look forward to becoming a better communicator upon reading this book, learning the laws, and applying them to my communications. Whether you want to lead a business, teach a class, sell a product, preach a sermon, coach a team, or speak at a neighborhood meeting, becoming a better communicator will help you. Let’s grow our skills together!! Next week, Chapter 1 – The Law of Credibility – Your Most Effective Message Is the One You Live.
- Quote –
“Everyone has a message. It may be the message for the moment or the message of a lifetime.” – John Maxwell
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: So, do you have your core values identified and defined for yourself, your family, or your business? If not, now may be an excellent time to start this essential exercise. By doing so, you can gain a clearer understanding of what matters most to you and use this knowledge to make more intentional choices and weather storms that come your way. Need help with this exercise? Click FREE CALL to explore how I might support you with this exercise.
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, Eat Healthy, Read More, Build Faith 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!!
