THE SPRINT

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Sprinting is defined as a short spell of running at full speed.

Short Spell is the key phrase.

We take off on year-long and oftentimes decade-long sprints. Why is that? So much of our self-esteem is measured by how we are keeping up. Some of us get out of the gates fast and slow down later while others walk for a few years and then catch up.  Our lifelong sprints are unsustainable and damaging to our mental health. 2020 felt like we were sprinting on a treadmill. 2021 feels like we stopped running and have been launched off the exercise machine. 

We all remember the story of the tortoise and the hair. You may be a turtle or you may be a rabbit but there is a pace that is right just for you. Looking around and comparing yourselves to others won’t help your situation and it certainly won’t help your feeling of self-worth. As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I’m obligated to tell you the truth. Nobody is timing you. In fact, nobody is watching and fretting as to why your behind or ahead. You are the only one thinking about what you are or what you are not.

Self-evaluation is a shortcut to despair. Put on some crocs, take the scenic route because you are right where you need to be! 


Keeper movin,

 

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

 

 

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Use Your Power

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It is often said that the President of the United States is the most powerful person in the free world. While this may be true, the day-to-day actions of the President don’t affect you nearly as much as you think. The truth is, you have the power to control your mind, attitude, diet, exercise routine, habits, relationships, and work ethic.  In reality, you are the most powerful person in your world.

Men and women pursue power for all sorts of reasons. Many see power as a way to eliminate obstacles around them. If you have the power then you have the ability to enforce behavior that is to your liking. What if we saw power as an entirely good force? For instance, you have the power to make someone smile, laugh, and enjoy their day. You possess the power to change someone’s life! This underrated and misunderstood ability is what makes the difference in our neighbors, communities, and country. While you may not sit in a castle on Park Avenue you do possess the power to improve your station while making life better for those around you.

 

As your Chief Encouragement Officer, I’m asking you to use your power this week. Show others what kind of power you possess. When power is expressed through encouragement it only grows in strength.

 

You are a superhero,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

 

 

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The Money is in the Monotony

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Most people want to be noticed and recognized for some historical achievement. Several years ago, I headed to a friend’s office to discuss strategy for my consulting company Monarch Environmental. After laying out my ideas and the case for what I was proposing, he pointed out two pictures on the wall. The first black and white framed picture was none other than Babe Ruth. Adjacent to the Bambino was an identical size and shaped framed photo of Ty Cobb. After admiring the photos, he simply asked who would you would rather be? With almost no hesitation I blurted out… Babe Ruth. He quickly retorted; you know they are both in the hall of fame, right?

The reality is that I wanted to build a company and a life that resembled mammoth home runs and other record-setting statistics. Ty Cobb is in the hall of fame for multiple reasons but namely for the number of hits he had. Sure, Cobb hit home runs but that is not what made him great. Besides his fierce attitude towards competition, Ty Cobb is immortalized for doing the basics well over and over and over again.

We love high marks in our lives and we work for moments of achievement. This is a noble pursuit but if we sincerely look at our stories, the real value of our years are measured in the monotony. Doing the little things right, treating others well, paying our bills, listening and so many other seemingly low-impact activities truly make up the measure of a person’s life.

Sound principles and truth work at home and the office. The money you are making is due to you getting up and being faithful in the monotonous task that nobody hands out awards for. Your future success will be contingent on your ability to remain humble so that you can have your picture next to Ty Cobb someday.

Keep Grinding,

Matt Davenport

C.E.O.

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