Happy Tuesday! I missed yesterday because I was at Millard West High School Leadership Academy.  Honestly, I just didn’t feel motivated to record a video and share it yesterday. But I was motivated to wake up at 5 am to drive to Omaha to speak to 50 students about creating a legacy. Which is the word for this week. There is something I love about going live too.  Are you feeling motivated? Sometimes it’s even hard to get motivated to get out of bed. Right?  

Without a purpose in your life or faith — most likely there is no motivation.  

Have an amazing week! Thanks for listening!

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Thanks to my good friend and co-founder Ben Pankonin for this week's word, Momentum. While looking at some of the positive business we had going he encouraged me in saying we had some good momentum and that it would carry us through this time.  We all go through times where we have positive momentum whether it's in business, sports, or life. The goal is to try and bottle whatever it is up and keep it moving in the right direction. Whether you're moving downhill or uphill. Don't stop moving.  

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Brandon Mowinkel is a husband, father of three and the High School Principal at Milford Public Schools in Milford, Nebraska.   

During our conversation we discuss Brandon's journey in education, finding his why and why he loves photography. I hope you enjoy this chat!  

Follow Brandon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmowinkel 

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Good morning! Happy Monday!

This morning when I woke up everything was out of focus. Then I put my glasses on and everything was in focus again. Sometimes in life I think we forget to put our glasses on or if you’re like me I forgot to change contact lenses after 1 month so this morning I had to get a fresh pair in and what a difference that makes.

As many folks head back to school in the coming weeks it’s important for us to focus on the right things. For some of us. Me. I need to re-focus. It’s difficult getting back into a routine and focusing on something new. For me, we finished up a great weekend at Lack Mac outside of Ogallala with Jessica’s family. We had such a fun time but we were exhausted when we got home. Sleep was required for us to get re-focused. I was playing golf this weekend at Bayside Golf Course which has some incredible views and although I was in awe of this course I had to focus extra hard on each shot making sure I was focused on keeping my head down on the ball. It was the little things that I needed to focus on in order to hit the ball…and not in the tall native grass.

We talked about executing last week and how distractions can prevent us from doing something we want to do. Having the ability to focus is key when wanting to execute. That might look different for all of us. I like to put in the headphones and listen to a playlist called “Deep Focus” on Spotify. Or maybe it’s a walk around the block to get focused on the upcoming task you need to get done. Whatever it is identify the need to focus and figure out how you’re going to execute.

Pray to Focus

Matthew 6:6

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

How do you stay focused? 

Have an amazing week! Thanks for listening!

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Have you put off something to do or not carried out what you’ve started? Then you’re like most people and have struggled to execute at some point in your life.

In fact, I almost didn’t do this #734Live this morning because I wasn’t set on this word for the week and thought how easy would it be just to skip it. But here we are. Something in me kept saying you need to execute on this and do something. Recording these Monday morning videos have been so rewarding and encouraging. The comments and interaction each week are so energizing and I can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your day to watch.

However, many us struggle to execute. Why is that? We have an idea or a plan but to execute on that idea or plan is difficult. A couple of months ago I put together this graphic to help me push through and carry out some ideas I had. There are so many distractions that derail us. These are just a few that came to mind.

Reading in James chapter 1 verse 22 this week it says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says.” What a great reminder as we consume so much content now to not just listen or take it in but put it back out into the world and do something with it.

This reminded me of Nike’s famous tagline, “Just Do It” — Go execute.

Is there something you’re struggling to carry out or do? Don’t let fear, doubt, lack of resources stop you from executing.

Go execute. You’ll be thankful. I know I am.

Have a great week everyone and thanks for listening!

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"We're talking about practice?" Do you remember this classic quote from Allen Iverson when reporters asked him why he had missed several practices when playing for the Sixers? Although Iverson was talented enough to skip some practices many of us are not that lucky.   

I was reminded of this word recently when out on the golf course. I hadn't picked up a golf club in over a month and went out and played 18 holes. The result? Not good. I expected to try and compete but without practice, I had lost all of the basic fundamentals, like keeping my head down. A humble reminder you have to put in the work to expect quality results. 

In Philippians 4:9 Paul writes, "Whatever you have learned or received or hear from me, or seen in me -- put it into PRACTICE. And the God of peace will be with you." What a great reminder not only on the golf course but in our spiritual lives as well to take the things we are learning in reading God's word and putting them into practice.  

I hope this encourages you this week as you practice the things you're working on starting to begin. Thanks for watching!  Have a great week everyone!

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What’s next? This word has popped up several times in reading and reflecting so I thought this week would be a great opportunity to dive into the word next.

I recently finished the book Toughness by Jay Bilas (thanks to Tony Chapman for letting me borrow it). One of the chapters that stood out the most was titled “Next Play”. In fact, according to Bilas, this was one of the concepts that stuck out to him while playing under Coach K at Duke. Although both Coach K and Bilas can’t pinpoint the exact moment when the concept of “Next Play” came about it’s been ingrained into everything they do. Jay Bilas says, “‘Next play’ is really prompt to focus players on the present, rather than dwelling upon what just happened. It’s a prompt to concentrate on what’s truly important — the next play in the game.” I think this can be applied to our everyday. When life knocks us down. Move on to the next play.

For me this hit home. As a basketball player, this probably was my biggest struggle. Letting go of the mistake I made. A bad pass or a missed three. It was tough to shake it sometimes. I eventually got over it but I wish I would have been taught this method of thinking and mental toughness.

Is there something you’re struggling with that you’re having trouble letting go of right now in your life? I hope this concept helps. You got this. Next play.

I’m also reminded of a blog post I wrote back in January 2019 titled “what are you doing next?” — Over the years I’ve interacted and have had conversations with 100s of high school students and many of the seniors I would always ask “where are you going to college?” — A conversation with Tim Huls and Mike Smith on a podcast changed my perspective as we discussed how important it is to ask students what kind of life they want to live instead of what kind of career they want. That’s when I realized I need to stop asking kids where they are going to college because that might not be the path they have selected but instead asking them what are you doing next. When I started asking that question instead many students still defaulted to where they were going to college but some didn’t. The question isn’t just for high school students either.

So my question to you this week is, “what are you doing next?”.

Have a great week everyone!

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Growing up I’m not sure if you would have asked me if I loved to learn I would have said yes but that’s ok. Learning was defined by the grades you got or how well you did on your test. For me, that wasn’t always the best. Especially when it came to the ACT. I got an 18. Twice. I always tell students I talk with that I didn’t learn how to learn until later in college and then that really excelled in my adult life when I was on the quest to start my own business. If you hand me a business book I’m reading it.

We’ve all probably had a lot of family time these past several months but there is something about packing up the car and doing a road trip. It’s the anticipation of going somewhere new. The frustration with kids. The multiple bathroom breaks. The joy of being together and sharing an experience as a family.

I’m thankful our family was able to travel a little this week as we headed west to Fort Collins, CO. We fell in love. So many parks and 15 minutes and you were in the foothills/mountains.

Do you remember as a kid bugging your parents on any type of road trip how much longer until we get there? As we drove out Brock (our 2nd oldest who is 5) was that kid. He finally gave up asking on our way out there and continued to say, “Why did I say yes to this?!”

During our drive, Jess and I reminisced about our family vacations and what we both remembered. So I was reminded of a trip our family took when I was 9-10 years old to California.

We stopped in Las Vegas at the Pyramid. We walked through and my dad accidentally let me in the gambling area with him as we walked through and they politely asked us to leave because kids weren’t allowed in that area. Of the whole trip was amazing but that’s the memory that sticks out the most. It’s probably because I’m a rule follower. :)

This last week was great. I feel refreshed and joyful.

Reply on Facebook or Twitter (@taylorsiebert) and share your favorite family vacation memory!

Have a great week everyone!

Join me every Monday morning live at 7:34am on Facebook and Twitter for an encouraging word to help jump start your week.

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How do you prepare?

Is there a difference in how you do something whether you’ve prepared or not?

I was reminded of this word last week on Thursday during a run. As I recapped a recent live event that we did for Class Intercom I was proud of the work our team had done to accomplish this task. I thought about how much different the event would have gone had we not prepared. We worked hard and as a team to make it a great event and it went well.

The definition of prepare is to make something ready for use or consideration. As I’ve begun to be more consistent with my running the last month I started something new before the run as I prepare for it. I use the Nike Training Club app and they have a 7-minute pre-running workout to get ready and prepared for what’s to come. I started doing this about a month ago and realized how effective it was after my run. I felt great. Well not great but much better. I performed better than I expected and went further than I had planned. I gave credit to how I prepared.

Not only does being prepared apply to our work or personal life but our spiritual life too.

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be PREPARED to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

ALWAYS be prepared. What a great reminder for us as we start another week.

For me. As I mentioned last week. I have to write it down. I don’t remember things very well so writing things down on paper helps me remember it. It helps me prepare for the day, week, month and year.

My challenge: How will you prepare for this week or the upcoming new month of July? 

Join me every Monday morning live at 7:34am on Facebook and Twitter for an encouraging word to help jump start your week.