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What a week... If most of you follow me, you know I'm an avid sports mom, and we celebrated Mason's last home game of the regular season for middle school. I am super proud of myself as I was able to keep my emotions together and was really just more excited for him. Excited for him being able to play school sports and be a part of such a great team with great culture. I was telling Travis at lunch today about how great the mom group has been and how we have all pitched in to help give the boys a lot of support. From car rides to T-shirts, goodie bags, posters for the game, and some cool mom/son photos. Then I was thinking about teams we have been on throughout his childhood and when the culture wasn't as great. Sometimes there was no culture, as well as a major lack of communication, and that really makes the entire experience for the boys. They get to build more experiences, and if the parents get along, the kids WIN. Or if the communication is good, it makes for an even stronger culture. So that got me thinking about my team and my companies and how we see this show up everywhere. It got me thinking about what my son is learning about culture, communication, and teamwork. So these are the things that got me asking myself questions: Do we communicate well, do we not leave anyone out? As an organization grows, people can feel left out, and communicating to 4 people is way different than communicating to 20, 50, 100. With each new milestone of people, the communication has to increase. Does everyone contribute to the team? Who isn't pulling their weight, and who is pulling more weight? Does the person pulling the weight of the ones not committed build resentment since they are trying to pull their weight too? The coach in this situation is the CEO, and the parents are the team leaders, or maybe you could say it the other way around, but you get what I am saying. It's important we are all in alignment and support the CEO's decisions (so yeah, the coach is the CEO), and then the team leaders can add their spin to it and add more events, more team-building exercises. So, in this case, on our team, even if we don't agree with the CEO (which many times we don't always agree with coaching), do we still support the CEO and follow in alignment to act as one to create a great culture? Or are we trying to beat our own ways because we know more? Are we talking behind the coach's back? Are we bashing the coach to our child, which shows a lack of respect? Hmm, very interesting, right? These are great lessons I've realized just from watching from the sidelines, and my son and his teammates are totally rocking it! Indeed, these sports lessons are applicable to any business. Anyway, those are my thoughts today as I fly to the Bahamas to spend a few days with our VZN organization and those that hit a threshold last year to qualify. I am so excited to spend some quality time with them. We are going to have a blast. We told them don't let us regret this decision. LOL. Behave, kids. Have a great weekend!

Real estate investment has long been regarded as a lucrative avenue for building wealth and achieving financial independence. However, navigating the complex world of real estate requires strategic planning, patience, and a long-term approach. In this blog post, we will explore five concrete tips to help you build a successful real estate portfolio that can withstand the test of time. Stay Consistent and Plan for the Long Term Real estate investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it requires consistency and a long-term perspective. Successful real estate investors understand the importance of creating a solid plan and sticking to it. Whether it's acquiring properties at regular intervals or following a disciplined investment strategy, consistency is key. For example, Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, once said, "If you aren't willing to own a stock for ten years, don't even think about owning it for ten minutes." This principle applies equally to real estate investing. Hire a Professional for Smooth Operations Managing a real estate portfolio can be a demanding task, especially as it grows in size and complexity. Hiring a professional property manager can save you valuable time and ensure smooth operations. A skilled property manager can handle tenant screening, rent collection, property maintenance, and other crucial aspects of property management. As real estate magnate Donald Trump once said, "You have to think anyway, so why not think big? Take your real estate business to the next level by leveraging the expertise of professionals who specialize in property management." Be Patient and Avoid Instant Gratification Real estate investing requires patience and a long-term mindset. Resist the temptation of chasing quick profits and focus on the bigger picture. Successful real estate investors understand the value of holding onto properties over time, allowing them to appreciate in value and generate consistent cash flow. As legendary investor Peter Lynch advised, "The real key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them." The same principle applies to real estate. Be patient and let your investments work for you. Focus on the 10-Year, 15-Year, or 20-Year Game Real estate investing is not a short-term endeavor. When building a portfolio, it's essential to focus on the long game. Consider the potential of properties over a 10-year, 15-year, or 20-year horizon. Look for locations with strong growth prospects, favorable market conditions, and potential for rental income appreciation. This approach aligns with the philosophy of renowned investor Robert Kiyosaki, who said, "Real estate investing, even on a very small scale, remains a tried and true means of building an individual's cash flow and wealth." Learn from Experienced Investors for Valuable Insights One of the best ways to fast-track your success in real estate investing is by learning from experienced investors who have achieved remarkable results. Seek out mentors, attend industry conferences, join real estate investment clubs, or engage in online communities. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and tapping into their knowledge and insights can provide invaluable guidance and help you avoid common pitfalls. As Benjamin Franklin once wisely stated, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." Building a successful real estate portfolio requires a combination of consistent effort, long-term planning, and learning from the experiences of others. By staying focused, hiring professionals, being patient, thinking long term, and learning from seasoned investors, you can position yourself for success in the ever-evolving world of real estate investing. Remember, building a real estate portfolio is a journey, and the rewards can be substantial for those who approach it with dedication and a strategic mindset.

Good morning World. Welcome to another edition of Mindset Monday, live from California. Today's episode is all about challenging yourself and pushing past your limits. Dealing with Unexpected Changes We all face unexpected changes in life. In fact, while setting up for this episode, we had to pivot and adjust to the strong winds outside. No matter how prepared you are, you always have to be ready to pivot and adjust. It's essential to remain flexible and adaptable when things don't go as planned. However, this is where true growth can occur, as it forces you to think creatively and adapt to new situations. Introducing Jennifer Brown Today's guest is Jennifer Brown, my personal favorite guest ever. She is my wife and owns Hair by Jennifer Black. We will be talking about her personal and professional growth. Jennifer has been a hairstylist for about 9 years now. It was a mid-life career change after her office job had eliminated 60 physicians in one day. Being a single mom at the time, she sent out thousands of emails and resumes, but nothing came through. Her dad encouraged her to sign up for hair school, and now she can't imagine doing anything else. But her story doesn't just end there, as she has faced many challenges and overcame them to become the successful hairstylist she is today. Family and Background Jennifer has two adult children, Austin and Ryan, a bonus kid named Courtney, and a cool kid named Brody. They also have two fur babies, who are the cutest, cuddliest dogs ever, but also create a muddy mess all the time. Her family has been a great support system for her, especially during tough times. Professional Challenges Jennifer shares how challenging it was to switch from a structured office job to making her own hours as a hairstylist. She had to adapt to the new work environment and learn how to manage her time better. But the transition was worth it, and she has grown both professionally and personally. She has also faced several other professional challenges, such as dealing with difficult clients and managing her own business, but she has learned to be resilient and persistent in the face of adversity. Physical Challenges Jennifer also finds ways to challenge herself physically and mentally, such as going to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, climbing down mountains using just chains and willpower, and climbing the Manitou Incline in Colorado a few weeks after having COVID. These challenges push her beyond her limits and help her develop resilience and determination. These experiences have been transformative for her, and have taught her the value of hard work and determination. Overcoming Challenges Jennifer admits that it's not easy to push herself through the hardest moments, but her mind is always determined to finish what she started. She believes that the key to overcoming challenges is to stay focused on the end goal and keep moving forward. And the feeling of accomplishment after crossing the finish line is what keeps her going. She also emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system, whether it's family, friends, or colleagues. Conclusion Challenging yourself is not just about physical challenges, but also about embracing changes and pushing past your limits. It's about developing resilience, determination, and focus. Keep pushing forward and challenging yourself to achieve more. Remember that with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. So take that leap of faith and challenge yourself today!

In an episode of Matt's Mindset Monday, Lee Upton, an entrepreneur and insurance agent with Kentucky Farm Bureau, shares his philosophy on the three A's of business: attitude, action, and adaptability. Attitude is the first A and is crucial to success. According to Lee, positivity is key to controlling your mindset and ultimately your happiness. He emphasizes that 90% of our happiness comes from intentional action and genetics, not situational factors. Therefore, by intentionally surrounding ourselves with positivity, we can control our mindset and overcome adversity. A positive attitude can lead to positive outcomes in both personal and professional life. Action is the second A and involves putting together a business model and taking steps towards growth. Lee's experience working for Enterprise Rent a Car taught him how to successfully manage and run a business. He applies these principles to his current role with Kentucky Farm Bureau and has found them to be extremely beneficial. Taking action and executing the plan is important for achieving success. Without action, a good idea remains just an idea. Adaptability is the third A and involves being able to adjust and pivot when things don't go as planned. Lee emphasizes the importance of seeing adversity as an opportunity and not allowing negativity to control your situation. Being adaptable means embracing change and being open to new ideas. In today's rapidly changing business environment, adaptability is key to staying relevant and competitive. Highlights: "90% of our happiness comes from intentional action and genetics, not situational factors." This emphasizes the importance of taking control of our lives and intentionally creating positive experiences to increase our happiness. It highlights the fact that external factors like circumstances and events do not have as significant an impact on our happiness as we might think. "Positivity is key to controlling your mindset and ultimately your happiness." This highlights that our mindset is something we can control, and that positivity is a powerful force for shaping our attitude and overall well-being. By choosing to focus on the positive, we can maintain a healthy and productive outlook on life. "See adversity as an opportunity and don't allow negativity to control your situation." This encourages us to reframe our perspective on challenges and setbacks. Rather than seeing them as barriers to success, we should view them as opportunities to learn and grow. By taking a proactive and positive approach to adversity, we can maintain control over our situation and avoid being overwhelmed by negative emotions. Overall, Lee's philosophy on the three A's provides a matrix to judge how well you're doing in both your personal and professional life. By maintaining a positive attitude, taking intentional action, and adapting to change, you can grow and scale any business. These three A's are not just limited to business, but can also be applied to personal life. A positive attitude, taking action, and being adaptable can help anyone overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Today, we're talking about something that I'm very passionate about - the Success Triangle. It's the mindset, habits, and skills that lead to success. Where did this idea come from? Well, it came from years of figuring out what worked for me to change who I was. Growing up, I wasn't chasing success, I was chasing survival. But I was fortunate enough to have people in my life who moved me out of that environment. Even so, I still had the old mindset, habits, and lack of skills that led to the person I was at that time. I had to figure out how to overcome those things so I could become the best version of myself, both professionally and personally. So, what is the Success Triangle? Mindset You gotta believe it in order to achieve it. Anything that you achieve starts with you believing that you can achieve it. So, if you can get right in terms of your mindset, and calm your inner voice, it can really go a long way towards your success. Having the right mindset means having a positive attitude and optimism. It means being open to new possibilities, being resilient, and having a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your abilities through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It's important to recognize that mindset is not something you are born with, but rather something that can be developed over time. Furthermore, your mindset can be influenced by the people around you. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can help you maintain a positive attitude and keep you motivated. On the other hand, negative, unsupportive people can bring you down and make it harder for you to achieve your goals. Habits Habits are really all about discipline and building routines. Atomic Habits is a great book that talks about getting 1% better every day, and that effect over time is what leads up to being the best version of yourself. It's the consistency over time that produces a greater output. Building good habits takes time and effort. It requires self-discipline and a willingness to stick with it, even when it's difficult. Some good habits that you can start with include exercise, reading, journaling, and meditation. By building these habits into your daily routine, you can make progress towards your goals and become the best version of yourself. It's also important to recognize and break bad habits. These are the habits that hold you back and prevent you from achieving your goals. Examples of bad habits include procrastination, negative self-talk, and poor time management. By identifying and breaking these habits, you can eliminate obstacles and move closer towards success. Skills No matter what your profession, you always need to be learning new things and pursuing mastery. You need to be learning-based and always seeking new information. Developing skills is an ongoing process. You should always be looking for ways to improve and enhance your abilities. This could involve taking courses, attending workshops or conferences, or reading books and articles. By continually learning and growing, you can stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in your field. It's also important to identify the skills that are most relevant to your goals. For example, if you want to become a successful entrepreneur, you may need to develop skills in marketing, finance, and leadership. By focusing on the skills that will help you achieve your specific goals, you can make the most efficient use of your time and resources. The Success Triangle is not just a concept for individuals. It can be applied to organizations as well. Companies that focus on fostering the right mindset, building strong habits, and constantly learning new skills are more likely to be successful. Mindset Organizations with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace innovation and take calculated risks. They are also more likely to learn from their mistakes and use failure as an opportunity for growth. A positive and optimistic attitude is contagious, and it can help foster a culture of success. Habits Organizations that have strong habits in place are more likely to be efficient and productive. By implementing routines and processes, companies can streamline their operations and reduce waste. Good habits, such as effective communication and collaboration, can also lead to a more cohesive team and better outcomes. Skills Organizations that prioritize learning and development are more likely to stay ahead of their competitors. By investing in the skills of their employees, companies can improve their overall performance and adapt to changing market conditions. In today's fast-paced business environment, it's essential to keep up with the latest trends and technologies. In conclusion, the Success Triangle is a powerful tool for individuals and organizations alike. By focusing on the right mindset, building strong habits, and constantly learning new skills, you can achieve your goals and reach your full potential. So, whether you're an individual looking to improve yourself or a company looking to grow and succeed, remember the Success Triangle and make it a part of your daily routine. Matt Brown is one of our Leadership Coaches, If you want to know more about coaching, feel free to subscribe to our mailing list or start your coaching journey by singing up!