Dignity.

“Never take a person's dignity; it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you.” ~ Frank Barron

We Need Your Address (If you'd like to receive a wedding announcement).

We would love to send our son Ammon and Hallie's wedding invitations to all family and friends. If you would like to receive a mailed invitation, please submit your mailing address here: https://ineedyouraddress.com/amandhal/ Thank you!!

Knowledge.

There are five essential roles that I believe knowledge plays in our competitive advantage and sustainable business success: 1. Acquiring Knowledge: Acquiring the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to make sound decisions and take effective action. 2. Applying Knowledge: Using one's existing knowledge to independently make sound decisions and take effective action. 3. Creating Knowledge: Adapting existing knowledge or creating new knowledge to improve performance and do things that have not previously been done by others. 4. Sharing Knowledge: Increasing the productive capacity of others by sharing one's knowledge, skills and perspective with them. 5. Leveraging Knowledge: Increasing the organization's productive capacity by converting personal knowledge into organization knowledge (i.e. embedding knowledge in the systems, structures, protocols and strategies of the organization) - thereby making it available to everyone in the organization who might need it. Given that knowledge is an organization's only sustainable source of competitive advantage, those people who master these five roles are the people who will make the greatest difference and be in the greatest demand in the future.

Peacemakers Needed.

This past Sunday our family listened to this talk LIVE at our church's semi-annual global conference. 

It was, in my opinion, one of the best and most timely sermons I have ever heard. It was given by 98 year-old Russell Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is a retired heart surgeon, has perfect pitch, and there's so much more I admire about him that I won't share here. But most of all, he has spent most of his adult life serving others and teaching about our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Regardless of your faith or beliefs, I'm confident you will agree that this was a message we all needed to hear, right now. I know I needed it, and I hope you'll take the time to listen, or relisten, to it. (I just reviewed it a third time: watched it LIVE, reviewed the video the next day, and read it taking notes today). 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng

You Don’t Need to Be “the Boss” to Be a Leader.

Whether you currently consider yourself a leader, or an emerging leader, there are three actions you can take to hone your leadership skills right now and become a highly respected and influential team member.

1. Devote time to daily growth. When we improve our skillset and become a slightly better version of ourselves than we were the day before, we initiate the process of becoming more valuable in terms of what we can offer and the level of impact we can generate.

2. Discover and embrace your personal strengths. While we all have areas we can improve, when it comes to building influence, your advantage will lie in discovering your strengths and using them to the best of your ability.

3. Improve your ability to connect with people. When it comes to leadership, making genuine connections is more advantageous, and anyone — introverts, ambiverts, or extroverts — can learn how to do this. It all comes down to how we communicate, rather than what we communicate. You can practice this skill by being intentional in your interactions with others — be authentic, and empathetic.

https://hbr.org/2023/02/you-dont-need-to-be-the-boss-to-be-a-leader

8 Traits of Healthy Relationships.

Nothing can bring more joy to life than beautifully fulfilling relationships. The depth of meaning, understanding and appreciation that these kinds of relationships bring is almost unfathomable. And, of course, as many people find out, nothing can bring so much pain as a broken relationship with someone dear to you.

Here are "8 Traits of Healthy Relationships" by one of my mentors, Jim Rohn.

https://www.success.com/rohn-8-traits-of-healthy-relationships/

Fasting.

 

Fasting means to go without. Therefore, fasting doesn't only apply to food, but to anything in your life that you may be using or consuming unnecessarily. It's also not about giving things up completely, but rather gaining control over the things in your life that seem to control you (like cravings or addictions).

Most importantly, it's not about suffering. In fact, fasting is the key to freedom. Once you gain control over the things that once controlled you, going without becomes an empowering and joyful experience.

You can fast from common addictions like alcohol, tobacco, or any other lifestyle patterns you want to change. Doing a dopamine fast by avoiding social media can give your mind a break from processing junk culture and devote more resources to creativity and original thinking. Less distractions = more power.

Remember to take time to be still. Get out and spend time in nature, we need that sunshine and vitamin D. Why not do a social media fast at the same time? Bring your phone for an emergency, but turn it off. It's great time to reflect on what we want more in our lives and what you want less of in our lives.