You don’t have to act like this doesn’t impact you.  In fact… let’s talk about it!

“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #66 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Years ago, I randomly reached out to a leader in the industry I was in. This gentleman had been in the industry for a couple dozen years and was highly respected. It was a longshot, I just sent an email to his secretary, asking if he would be willing to sit down for 15 minutes as I picked his brain.  The crazy thing is that I heard back at the same day and two days later I was sitting in his office. 

I came in well prepared to honor this gentleman's very generous use of this time. The first thing he did was say we're gonna meet for 30 minutes instead of 15. As I went through the three questions I had prepared for him. He looked up at the end and very graciously asked "you wanna know the biggest leadership lesson I've learned over the years?”

Ahhhhh.. Yeah!  Please!

He says he keeps a portion of his daily calendar open so that he can pivot into very important conversations. He doesn't want the people in his organization to feel like he is always busy. He wants his people to know that he is sometimes very bored. Setting aside time for people, and showing his organization that he is purposefully protecting his calendar to not be overworked, has created an incredible culture.  And more times than not… he said… when people come into his office to chat… the topic of STRESS usually comes up!

Stress is a real thing and it impacts every person in every organization. No one is immune to stress when we stop acting like we are superhuman, and we open up the conversation to address our levels of stress. The power of poison of stress starts to diminish!

What do you do to manage or minimize or maximize stress?

Life is hard.  Adulting is hard.

21 Pilots song “Stressed Out”

“Wish we could turn back time, To the good old days, When our mama sang us to sleep, But now we're stressed out”

Big take away: 

Do you have people in your life to chat about your stress with?

What are ways you manage stress?  Plan of attack!

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.  At the sound of the beep:

“Wish we could turn back time”

I’m always amazed what this one thing does in life.

“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #65 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Last night my business partner and I attended a big networking event put on by our local chamber of commerce.  Our company has been active in networking for many years.  We know a lot of people and these events are very familiar to us.  A lot of the relationships in the room go back a long ways as all of us local business owners have had to navigate some crazy waters together.

These network events are filled with a lot of familiar faces along with plenty of new faces.  I always make it a point to go introduce myself to new comers and get their story.  I’m not looking for just an “elevator pitch”, I’m wanting to know the “why” behind the “what” they do.  

You know what’s always a good reminder?  When I’ve spent the time getting the “why” behind their “what”… I never forget “what” they do!  I have a rolodex in my mind of at least 100 or more businesses in our community that I can name someone from their organization that cares.

You know what will set you apart?  Caring about a name.  Caring about a person.  Asking deeper questions.  More than just “tell me what it is you do”.  

Our company has gotten SOOOOO many contracts because we spent 5 minutes talking to someone instead of just saying hi and throwing a business card in their face.  People are more that a name tag and business title!  They have a life beyond this event!

If you master this one thing… soft skills, caring skills, noticing and care a little more… You will see the reward in spades as your network grows and your relationships deepen!

Big take away: 

Are you leading an organization?  Teach your people and create a culture of caring for others…. If so, you’ll move “clients” to “advocates”!

Are you on a team?  Lengthen your conversations and ask some well pointed and deeper questions to get to know your team mates a little better.  And yes, working inside your home as a dad/or mom is a team leader!

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for the weekend edition of Growth Instigator Hotline where we want to hear from you!

At the sound of the beep:  

“I’ll take a minute to care!”

1… whew.  2… whew.  3… whew.  That’s better.

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #64 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Welcome to Thursday May 23, 2024

If your week was anything like mine… I’m feeling a bit impatient. 

It’s Thursday.  I effectively have today and tomorrow to accomplish a long list of task for my work week.  It is about this time of the week when I look up and have to face the realization that my mammoth of a list, written by an energetic Aaron on a Sunday night, will not be completed. And for personality like mine, someone who likes to complete tasks, a finisher, a completer, this plays with my mind.

This is about the time of week I need to breathe slowly, count to three and remind myself of what is good and right.  It’s pretty amazing what taking a moment, in middle of the chaos can do for your being.  

In fact, let's do it right now. I think I need to breathe a little and maybe, if you're anything like me, taking a few moments right now could be an incredible gift to yourself. An escape of sorts. I'm not gonna walk you through a breathing exercise, I'll leave that to the experts, just gonna take three short breaths, actually three deep breaths and hold them for three seconds and exhale. If you're so inclined to join me, please join along.  

1… whew.  2… whew.  3… whew.  That’s better.

Now, if that calmed you even one degree, I bet the world is a brighter place.

My friends please remember, your mental health, your physical health, your emotional health, your spiritual health is worth it. Do what you need to do today to be a centered person. No task list, no to do list. Should send you over the top.

Sorry, I raised my glass and I cheers you… my friends… you are fine people who make a better place while being better people ourselves!

Big take away: 

Just breathe a little deeper today and notice how life begins to fill with more color!

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.  At the sound of the beep:

“Let me know ways your refocus and center…”

What would get you off of your reps?
Get you off of your game?
Force you to walk away?

“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #63 and I am Aaron Havens. 

The other day, my buddy was in the gym, pumping weights, checking out his biceps you know I'm doing this thing. He's super consistent. He goes nearly every day and this is one of the things that sets him up for success every day.  Rarely does he miss a day because this is part of him working his success plan.

What are some things in your life that are so ingrained into your schedule so much of a habit that missing it would cause you to wobble and wobble?

What is something so important and almost ritualistic that it takes incredible outside resistance to get you to miss it?

Sometimes the resistance is in between our ears or our heart or our spirit, and sometimes what we encounter is literal resistance. What do you do when that happens? When forces outside of your control forces you to walk in ambiguity and to be flexibility and in need of a pivot?

So if the alarm clock wasn't enough, if getting dressed, wasn't enough, if driving to the gym wasn't enough, if walking into the gym, wasn't enough, if getting in his gym, clothes wasn't enough, if digging deep to find enough motivation, wasn't enough, then what would get him off of his game of working out?

How about in between rep three and rep four let's just say something crazy would happen… Like the literal ceiling of the gym falling in. Yeah that might be enough external resistance to end a workout!

What do you do when the resistance is literal and strong.  When pushing any further is not an option.  What do you do when you’re kicked out of the gym and your workout is forced to end?

Knowing when to throw in the towel is big.  Knowing when to drive to a park and doing a body weight workout is key.  Knowing when to take a challenge and use it to be creative is key.  

What about you today?  Will you just fold your hand, or will you dig deep and place another bet?  

Maybe that is not even the question. Maybe the question lies in, are you proud of the decision you made today to either walk away or to pivot and play?

Literal resistance is real.  What do you do when the ceiling falls in?

Big take away: 

What is your modus operandi when faced with literal resistance?
Does walking away from little resistance make you better today? 
Is that the better choice or is today the day to pivot and play?

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.  At the sound of the beep:

“what do you do when literal resistance comes your way?”

Don’t worry.  It’s not just you!

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #62 and I am Aaron Havens. 

The world lacks confidence.

The greatest of them all… the most influential, the smartest, the best looking, the highest achievers… everyone… gets nervous and self conscious!

Yep, we all wonder if we sounded stupid.  

Yep, we all hope they don’t find out we really don’t know what we are talking about 

Yep, we all have had the moment we realize our zipper is down or we have something in our teeth.  Yep, no one is perfect.  We all want to be liked.  

Can I ask a favor of you?  

Today, the next place you walk into… walk in with you head high.  

Gather up your confidence, do some positive self talk… and believe in yourself.

Confidence is super attractive.  Positivity opens up doors to opportunity.

People are drawn to those who are self-assured and sure of themselves.  

When you show up, it’s going to be good!

Talk like you mean it.  Don’t care if you have a booger on your nose or if your hair is not perfectly in place.  What you instill in those around you when you walk assured in yourself is a quiet confidence that they can do the same. If all of us can just show up in our true authentic self today maybe we'll all a little more. Maybe we all be a little bit more OK if we don't look perfect maybe when the next time we fall, we can laugh at ourselves and give permission to the world at large to laugh at themselves.

Big take away: 

Be kind to that person in the mirror.  You’re doing great.

Laugh at yourself the next time you mess up today.

If someone around you fumbles today, help them recover with confidence!

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.  At the sound of the beep:

“When I show up, it’s going to be good”

Who would be on your stage?  This message especially goes out the Ed from Colorado.  One of the all time great wrestling coaches!

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons every day of the week!  This is message #61 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Two weeks ago I attended the Colorado Wrestling Hall of Fame award ceremony.  My high school wrestling coach, Ed Rusher, received a prestigious award. He was recognized by the state of Colorado as one of the all-time great coaches. 

Earlier in the evening a young man was given another pretty amazing award for being a four time state champ, and being undefeated his senior year.  After he received his award he was given a short interview and asked what he was going to do after graduation.  The sharp dressed and well articulated 18 year old straighten up, looked the 1000+ attenders in the face and said he was going to take a year to roll around on the mats at the OTC (Olympic Training Center) to hopefully win a gold medal at the upcoming Olympics and then he was committed to wrestle for Princeton University.  Let’s see… Olympics and then Princeton.  Super impressive!

At the end of the ceremony all the wrestlers from my high school that could make it to the presentation were asked to get on the stage and take a picture with our coach.  As we were all getting situated for the photo… the young four time stage champion from another division jumped up on the stage and began shaking all of our hands on at a time, looked us in the eyes, as he thanked us… one at a time… for our contributions to the sport of wrestling.  He honored all of us old wrestlers that evening.  Again, he is 18!  That young man is going to win Olympics… and watch out College wrestling… here he comes!!  Watch out life… here he comes.

This is you my friends.  Let’s go get it done today.  If you’re young, put your head down and get to work, if your “sage age”, pave the way and end well as you encourage and support the young men and women coming up behind you!

Big take away: 

Who would be on your stage taking a picture with you?

Would you and your team, dress up, smile, and take pictures together as you celebrate your accomplishments?

Would people from your same industry, thank you for your contributions?

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.  At the sound of the beep:

“My stage will be full as I received my award”

If you are faithful in three areas, I promise you, you will leave a resounding legacy!

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons, every day of the week. This is message #60 and I am Aaron Havens.  This message especially goes out to Jonathan from Florida. 

When you break down life, we really only have three areas.

The nouns of life.  

The people we interact with.

The places we find ourselves in.

The things we do and engage with.

If we are faithful in our nouns of life we will leave a profound impact on the world.  Maybe the world at large, or maybe the world right around us. 

I’m super old school. I like antiquated technology… like the actual hard core phone number you have to purposely dial in to listen to the Growth Instigator Hotline.  I also use a thing called a calendar.  What?????  In my calendar I have things written down called “birthdays”.  These are great reminders that I should call that person or record a video… just overall say I am grateful for knowing this person.  I take these days to speak life and good and honor the PEOPLE in my life.

Today is not his birthday.  To know that, you would need to deeply know him.  However I will use this moment to speak over Jonathan from Miami.  

Jonathan is faithful in anything and everything he touches.  People are better when they have had the honor to be with him.  Places look better when Jonathan has been around.  And things grow when he gives them his attention.  Jonathan is a trustworthy.  He is faithful.  He makes the world better.  PERIOD.

How about you?  Who is in your life today that you can be faithful with?  Who is trustworthy?  Who can you speak good over?  It doesn’t need to be their birthday.  And it doesn’t need to be trite, over explained, gushy gushy.  Just straight up real talk… to the point is probably the best approach.

Big take away: 

I think you probably already know what your big Takeaway is. Who are the first people that popped into your mind as you were listening today. Reach out to them with whatever mode feels right.

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for the weekend edition of Growth Instigator Hotline where this monologue becomes a dialogue.  At the sound of the beep, 

“Im making the nouns better!”

Pick any iconic hand hand combat movie from the 80s and there's that epic scene where the hero takes a blow to the face, pauses, wipes, the blood off their lips, and you know I'll poop is about to break loose!

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons, every day of the week. This is message #59 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Wipe the blood off your lips, aggressive face, and double down!

Today is coming after you.  It wants to strike when you least expect it.

Resistance wants to punch you in the mouth.

Resistance wants to give you a stinger and bloody your lips.

Today, what you’re doing, is worth doubling down.

If yesterday caused blood to run down your face… today:

Pause, wipe the blood off your lip, give us a face that makes us scared.. 

And GO FOR IT.  DOUBLE DOWN.  Let your greatness fly.

In middle of our strides, in doing what we are good at, the thing that is making a difference, the stuff that gives us energy… something hits us from the side to derail our efforts, to pile on the tasks and to get us wobbling.

Stay with it.  Outlast the competition.  Sometimes our WILLS or TENACITY are the fiercest competitors. 

To quote someone who we might all know: “It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. --Albert Einstein”

Big take away: 

-Did you notice you got off task from something super important yesterday?  Why was that?

-What is worth doubling down on today?

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.

At the sounds of the beep 

“I’m wiping the blood off of my lip and going for it”

What motivates you?  What gets you amped up and ready to go?

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons, every day of the week. This is message #58 and I am Aaron Havens. 

Those of you in sales have probably heard the term SPIFF.

SPIFF stands for sales performance incentive fund formula, which is a short-term sales incentive strategy in which sales reps are awarded a bonus for closing a sale or booking a demo. SPIFFs, unlike traditional sales incentives, typically have cash value.

So, do you want to get your product on the shelf, or that program implemented?  

Give your sales reps a little bit of cash incentive to promote your thing.

This is how big corporations make sure Good Will and Good Vibes are being spread throughout vendor relations.  Giving incentives to promote “your thing” works… to a degree.  It’s a fine line between success and shady!

What does that have to do with you?

If you’re the product.  What motivates you to promote yourself to the degree you get placed front and center on the main isle shelf?  

Is what you do… how your living… give you a smile?  Does it make the world a better place?  Is it what you’ve dreamed to do?  Is how you spend your limited calories worth the efforts you put in?  Does the sweat on your brow make you proud?

My friends are you proud of your efforts and will you promote yourself?

Big take away: 

Where are you proud of the energy you are spending?

If you’re not, is it time to move on?

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.

At the sounds of the beep I want to hear from you. I want to hear you promote yourself.  This is your elevator pitch.  I want to hear from every one that has called in today.  Tell me your name and what you do.  In 3..2..1..

I guarantee you, this technique will help improve your memory!

-“Thank you for calling GIH where we instigate growth one call at a time where we utilize antiquated technology to deliver 3-minute leadership lessons, every day of the week. This is message #57 and I am Aaron Havens. 

A mnemonic device, or memory device, is a learning technique that helps people retain or retrieve information by associating it with something easier to remember. 

I am a huge fan of mnemonic devices.

A-B-C-D-E-F-G… to twinkel little star.

Even, Adam, Did, Good, Before, Eve (stings on a guitar)

My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles (order of planets)

Physical mnemonic devices… I use to have a rock that I would look at before walking into the house to remind myself to leave “work” or the “stress” outside so that I could walk in and be fully present for my family!

My friends.  

Are you moving so fast that you are missing the moments?  

Are you crazy frustrated today?

If so…

What do you have set up in your life to remind you of what is important.

You know, a little slap in the face or a cup of cold water to wake you up?

Here is a good reflection question…

Where did life get away from you today?

As you reflect on your day… where did you miss a really good opportunity because you were too distracted, too frustrated, overwhelmed, moving at a blistering speed.

Slow down.  Set up mnemonic devices that can and will remind you of what is MOST important.  Set tomorrow up to be a success.  It starts with the actions of today.  

Maybe red lights, or long lines can serve as reminders to slow down, breathe deep and as reminders that everything is going to turn out OK.

Big take away: 

Choose the longest line.  What does that represent for you?

Set an alarm for 2:22 to remind you of….

Thanks for calling in today.  Tune in tomorrow for a fresh new topic.

At the sounds of the beep I want to hear from you. 

My memory tomorrow is because of my action today!