Comfort Zone

Quite often we are challenged to step out of our comfort zones as part of our professional development but let us all take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and recognize what we can now do comfortably which we once could not. Let us all realize that getting comfortable at being uncomfortable is what ultimately forges personal success.

Be Like Gunner. Here we have our pal taking one of his signature naps. As one of the best nappers in the league of napping he sometimes forgets all the little things that got him to where he is today. Whenever he’s in a rut he always counts his blessings and puts into perspective how far he’s come. “You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone.”

Success is steady progress toward one’s own personal goals.

Don’t measure your progress against anyone else’s ruler.

Have a good week.

Zoom Out

As business professionals, we go through our day solving problems, but from time to time — as we all do — we get challenged in a way where we need to ask for help. Next time you come to this crossroad, try changing your perspective and zoom out! “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Be Like Gunner. This week we decided to learn more about what happens when we zoom out in our shot. “Sometimes it’s easier to zoom out in a situation so you can see it all and not get caught up in all the little details.” Sometimes all it takes is a little lens adjustment to see the big picture. When problem solving, zoom out, then zoom in.

View life through a wide angle lens attitude and see your horizons broaden.

When in doubt, zoom out.

Have a good week.

Details

As business professionals, we strive to add value to our clients’ each end every day. Something that is occasionally overlooked by the inexperienced is what’s most important: attention to detail. What we all should realize is that “when you pay attention to the details, the big picture will take care of itself.”

Be Like Gunner. One of his goals this year is to be more detail oriented. Here he is on our most recent hike leaving no stone unturned. By actively paying more attention, he’s noticed that “when you really pay attention, everything is your teacher.” When you ask the questions and are curious about your surroundings find out that “success leaves clues. All you have to do is look into the details.”

“The difference between something good and something great is in the details.”

Have a good week.

Relax

At a time where work has revved up let us not forget that in order to be the most productive, we sometimes need to take a step back and relax. Realize that it’s very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worry, it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.

Be Like Gunner. Here’s our pal relaxing, pondering the next step he’ll take in his journey. Over the years he’s learned that “a calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges and that sometimes the quickest way forward is to take a step back.” A quiet mind is able to hear intuition over fear.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest.”

Use both and overlook neither.

Have a good week.

Reflection

Being that it’s is deadline day, I would like everyone to take the time to reflect on each completed task that brought you one step closer to the finish line. “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but you’ve actually been planted.” Take this moment of reflection to see how much you’ve grown and apply that to as much of your life as possible. Whenever tasks are at hand, never stop moving toward the light at the end of the tunnel. Some tunnels happen to be longer than others, but each and every one has their own light.

Be like Gunner. Here he is on track reflecting on how far he’s come. Any time you see a new opportunity, do not think that winning and losing matter the most. Realize that taking a chance and seizing an opportunity is. “Whenever you’re making an effort to try something new, you are a winner.”

Sometimes it’s all about finish lines; not finish times.

Finish strong.

Have a good week.

Chasing Dreams

As we’re closing in our 9/15 deadline, let us all take a step back and realize that the extra time working on x, y & z will bring you one step closer to catching your dreams. Regardless of your profession or goal, realize that “there’s no telling how many miles you’ll run chasing a dream.” Recognize that you’re not going to master the rest of your life in one day. Just relax, master the day, and then keep doing that every day.

Be Like Gunner. He’s always dreaming of the day he’ll catch his first trespasser (aka a rabbit). Here, he is practicing his skills, getting better one rabbit at a time. Over the past year he’s learned that “if you chase two rabbits, you will catch neither.” By narrowing your focus to one priority at a time, you can complete tasks more efficiently and effectively. “When you focus on one thing, you master it.”

Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams, or wake up and chase them.

Choose wisely.

Have a good week.

Pace

As we begin to prepare for September and October deadlines, let us all take this “mini-busy season” as an opportunity to learn more about our own personal pace. Pacing yourself is key when it comes to workflow/time management during busy times. Let us all recognize that “trying to do too much, too fast or trying to keep up with others will only leave you exhausted and unable to give your best. Like a runner, you have to find your own pace.”

Be Like Gunner. In the most recent Backyard 500, Gunner learned a valuable lesson about individualized pacing. Out the gate he attempted to run a much more experienced pace, which left him with no energy to finish the race. The valuable lesson to learn here is to “always run your own race and stay in your own lane.”

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”

Which direction are you going?

Have a good week.

Learning

No matter your stage of life, we all stumble upon new experiences that we can learn from, whether personally or professionally. Something that is essential for growth is the learning curve. Here’s your reminder to “embrace the curve because any activity worth doing has one.” If you find yourself struggling through a task, don’t get discouraged because it’s part of the process. No matter your experience or inexperience, we’re all subject to it. You just have to trust the process.

Be Like Gunner. Here we have our pal knee deep in the water because he wanted to learn if swimming through the lake is faster than simply going around. Regardless of whether he succeeds in finding the faster route, he realizes that “the only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Don’t be afraid to look at items from a different perspective with forgone thought. “When you do something new first hand we sometimes end up learning more about ourselves, the process, and going further than if we just try to follow what someone else did.”

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.”

Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching

Have a good week.

JOMO

As we go about our busy days, let us all remember that from time to time we should practice JOMO – the “Joy of Missing Out”! Like it or not, we need our technology devices, however, we just don’t need them as much as we think we do – if you want to find that balance, practice JOMO! “Sometimes, you just need to disconnect to enjoy your own company.”

Be Like Gunner. Our pal can so often be found wandering a mountainside and reflecting on how he can become the best good boy. One of Gunner’s life philosophy’s is that “it’s better to have your head in the clouds knowing where you are than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below and thinking you’re in paradise.” Sometimes you need to disconnect to self-reflect on your ambitions. “You cannot see your reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” Don’t be afraid to practice JOMO!

Just remember to keep your feet on the ground when your head’s in the clouds.

“Disconnect with the world, and reconnect with yourself.”

Have a good week.

Imprints

As we go about our busy lives, let’s not forget about the impact we have on one another. “You alone might not be able to change the world, but when one casts a stone across waters they create many ripples.” Believe it or not, over the course of your lifetime you will end up meeting approximately 80,000 people! What’s stopping you from being the reason the ones you meet today smile? Never forget that “a positive attitude can cause a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. A positive attitude can be a catalyst that sparks extraordinary results.”

Be Like Gunner. Here he is running about, leaving a trail of paw prints everywhere he goes. Realize that just as his wet paws leave an imprint on the ground, you too can leave a positive impression on someone each day. Understand that “people will walk in and out of our lives but the ones that really matter leave an everlasting impression.” This weekend, an otter named Sam walked into Gunner’s life and left him with a message we can all learn from: “Advice from an otter: take time to play, keep your whiskers clean, cherish clean water, be spontaneous, stay active, never be afraid to get your feet wet, and most importantly be otterly amazing.”

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Attitude is contagious.

Don’t wait to catch it from others.

Have a good week.