The Strategic Living Podcast with Brian Holmes

SLP336 - Relationships, Resources, and the Rhythm of Real Progress

Over the last several weeks we have been looking at the impact relationships have, and as we’ve seen, relationships matter!

It’s important we understand the season we’re in, and where each relationship fits in with our progress and development.

Here are a few questions to consider;

• What is life outside of relationships? 
• How do we classify or categorize our relationships?
• Do relationships change in seasons of our lives?
• How do we navigate relationships when conflict or tests come?

Today, we’re going to be looking at these questions and talking about Relationships, Resources, and the Rhythm of Real Progress. 

Feature Presentation: 

GOD DID NOT CREATE US TO DO LIFE ALONE!

A great mentor and friend shared with me a very powerful concept some years ago. He said

You only need two things to succeed in life; Relationships and Resources. If you have to choose between the two, choose relationships, and they will lead you to the resources you need.

We are designed by God to have meaningful connections, relationships, and to interface with other people in order to add value and receive value

Categories of Relationships

• Family
• Mentors, Teachers, Spiritual Leaders
• Friends and Peers
• Workplace Relationships
• Casual Acquaintances

The Circle Test:

• Self – Know who you are
• Family – wife, children, mother, father, siblings, etc.
• Close friends – HOW CLOSE ARE THEY REALLY?
• Acquaintances/Tribe
• The Crowd 

The key is how do you define these levels.

• Friend
• Acquaintance
• Tribe
• Crowd
• Enemy
• Enemies/Fool

For your consideration:

1. Some relationships are for certain SEASONS. When that season has come to an end, it is not wise to continue to invest into the relationship, as you will drain yourself of the very resources
2. Some relationships are covenantal in nature and are sent by God to be LIFETIME relationships
3. Some relationships are SITUATIONAL such as business relationships, educational, etc. Most times, these are also temporary
4. Some relationships are STRATEGIC, and they have to do with your assignment in a particular season
5. All (healthy) relationships are given by God to be mutually beneficial, and for the common good

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you inventoried your relationships lately?
2. Are there people in your life that do NOT add value, but rather tale away from you?
3. Are there relationships in your life that need to be “moved” from one category to another?
4. Do you have room in your life for NEW, STRATEGIC relationships that could add value to your life in this new season?

Jim Rohn said … “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with”.

What are you doing to raise your average?

 

SLP335 - Monday Mastery Edition : Your Comfort Zone Is Killing You

We all have our comfort zones and we all enjoy being comfortable. But what if our love for comfort is actually hindering us from the unlimited potential or possibilities, that could take us to our next level and beyond? Once we get too comfortable, we talk ourselves out of doing anything more. Listen in while I share why this is detrimental!

SLP334 - Strategic Relationships and Why They Matter : An Interview with Val Kleppen

We’ve been talking for a few weeks now on relationships, doing life together, and the power of changing cultures.

WHO you have around you matters: who you allow to speak into your life, who you work for or with, your friends and associates – they all matter.

If you want to build a life of high impact and meaningful influence, you are going to need to make sure you are connecting with people who align.

Today, I have Val Kleppen sitting in with us to talk about how these concepts and realities have shaped our business, her life, and now her own business endeavors as she launches out to make her mark.

This is one you don’t want to miss!

Feature Presentation:

I am thrilled to be able to have my executive assistant, Val Kleppen, on the program today as we talk about the importance of different relationships in different areas of our working together, and in her own business and life endeavors as well.

About Val Kleppen:

Val is not only a virtual assistant to fantastic clients but has a dream to change households across the country by teaching other people how to obtain their own freedoms in working from home. She has launched a course to train others to build their own business as a virtual assistant, in an effort to make home the center of day to day life.

She is a wife, speaker, self-proclaimed homesteader, homeschooling mom, and freelance writer.

Interested in her Virtual Assistant Training? Visit here: AnchorVAnetwork.com

For more about Harlynn’s Heart, visit their Facebook page

Strategic Influencers Mastermind: CLICK HERE

SLP333 - Monday Mastery Edition : If You Don’t Like It ... Change It!

You have more control than you might realize. If you don’t like your situations or relationships or circumstances, you can make a decision, follow with consistent action, and change whatever it is you’re unhappy with. Don’t believe me? Tune in to find out more.

SLP332 - 4 Practices That Changed The World

Feature Presentation:

Very few ideas remain relevant for more than one generation, as innovation and technology are advancing at such a rapid pace.

The Bible and its principles, on the other hand, still influence people and nations thousands of years after their Genesis.

While there are many reasons why this may be, there is one I am certain has played a major part in its continued influence:

Relationships

How do we reverse engineer the success and power of this movement that has influenced our world for generations?

What are the key components factored into the longevity of this movement?

What practices can we identify as being responsible for transforming cultures and shaping societies?

Four Practices:

1. Learning
2. Fellowship (Doing Life Together)
3. Dining/Breaking Bread with Others
4. Communion with God (Prayer/Worship)

SLP331 - Monday Mastery Edition : You Need the Right People Around You

Jim Rohn says you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Are you increasing your average value or is that value issuing a negative return? You need mentors, friends, influencers, who can come alongside you and help you grow from your current level to the next higher, better, more influential level in your life. Do you have those people yet? Listen in to find out more.

SLP330 - The Lost Art of Doing Life Together

Our world is changing at a pace that is mind-bending at best, and in some cases, troubling.

Gone are the days of knowing your neighbors, kids playing together in the streets, and families doing real life with one another.

Even if you do sit down to eat together with a group, everyone is on their smart phones, engaging someone who is NOT present in the moment.

We have lost something very sacred.

If you are like me, you are hungry for change; longing for the days where life was shared, not segregated.

We can change it!

Tips, Tools, And Resources: 

ONE CONVERSATION:

• Have one person at the table “host” the dinner
• Instead of everyone chatting it up with whomever, pose a question, and everyone have one conversation around that question.
• Example: What is the most impactful book you have read recently? Why? How has it impacted you personally?

Be intentional. This will change your relationships.

Feature Presentation:

The good ol’ days when…

• Families cooked out together
• We were in and out of each others homes all the time
• If someone was sick, everyone pitched in to help
• Most people were church-goers, and those church people were our extended family
• We shared the joys, pain, challenges, and even losses of these people

Nowadays, it is different.

Everyone is isolated, segregated, going different directions, consumed with self-interests, and so on.

There’s no community IN the home.

There’s no community with others OUTSIDE the home.

WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?

The Bible teaches us that we are NOT designed to do this thing called LIFE, alone.

The answer is … let’s try something different!

It would be presumptuous of me to put forward a guaranteed, fix-all, non-negotiable solution to such an overwhelming issue, however …

I would like to invite you to consider a few things we can do as we begin exploring what it really means to DO LIFE TOGETHER.

1. Be honest with yourself; are you isolated or alone?
2. If so, are you willing to do something different, even if it is initially difficult or uncomfortable?
3. Do you know anyone else who is probably hungry for the same thing?
   1. Invite one or more families over to your home for a meal and fellowship (CALL THEM … no texting)
   2. Set ground rules for the evening
      1. TV is turned off … period
      2. All phones on silent; NO social media or texting

• One conversation (Books, inspiration, other)

1. No politics or current events
2. You model what heart-level sharing looks like
3. Invite them to share

• Encourage, comfort, share resources (you don’t have to have an answer for everything)
• Play games

1. Be present
2. Stop texting for 30 days; instead, CALL and talk to people
3. No Facebook for 30 days
4. Eliminate pretense and live honestly with family and friends

SLP329 - Monday Mastery Edition : The Choices You Make Are The World You Live In

If you’re unhappy with where you live or where you’re working, or some other situation in your life, would you believe me if I said a new result existed on the other side of you making another choice? Different life circumstances come by us making different choices from what we’ve been making along the way. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, but sometimes we overthink it. Tune in to find out what I mean.

SLP328 - 5 Things I Learned From My Recent Visit To One of America’s Fastest Growing Companies

Have you ever gone to a conference, a seminar, a workshop or training program expecting one thing, but came away with an even better experience than you expected?

In my case, not only did I get exactly what I expected by way of the training I signed up for, but was fundamentally blown away by the culture, the mindset, the environment, and the level of excellence on display.

I came away from my weekend with (at least) 5 things I really want to share with you today.

These 5 things will set you or your business apart, hands down.

Tips, Tools, And Resources: 

• End your workday by taking 5-10 minutes for positive focus
• List out the day’s wins; what you did right; what you did that was good; the progress you made
• Pat yourself on the back.
• Talk to yourself
• Intentionally focus your mind on the measured success you had that day.

This will change your life … I promise!

Feature Presentation:

What I saw at this company two weeks ago embodies so many of the principles we promote here on BrianHolmes.com

Delta Defense, LLC, headquartered in West Bend, has been recognized as one of America’s fastest growing companies.

In addition to the INC 5000 award, Delta Defense has been honored for the past three years as one of the top 15 fastest-growing companies in the state of Wisconsin.

My Experience

• Arrival and Greeting
• Preparation and Presentation
• Immaculate facilities
• Kind and helpful staff
• Started on time (every time)
• Genuinely engaged with guests and true desire to relate
• Excellence, excellence, excellence
• So much more

5 Big Takeaways From My Recent Visit To One of America’s Fastest Growing Companies

1. Mission matters

When you are clear on who you are, why you are here, and what your mission is, you can run hard and run confidently toward the realization of that mission.

2. Culture is created

Early on, Tim Schmidt and his team decided to build a different kind of company; one that reflected a culture of family, support, personal growth, fun, and excellence.

Everyone has a voice and a contribution

3. Values are contagious

Ask any employee and they will tell you, “We are Honest, Humble, Happy, Hungry, and Healthy”.

4. Growth (both personal and corporate) is a choice

• Library
• Owner buys books for entire staff
• Brings in trainers and speakers
• Company Dream Board
• Committed to one another’s success and growth

5. Action and accountability produce results

It’s not enough to have an idea or even state something as a goal or project. One must execute rapidly, systematically, decisively and fearlessly, and hold each other responsible to achieve those goals.

I am deeply grateful for Tim Schmidt, Delta Defense, the USCCA, and the incredible team of people who served our group so well.

Influencers Challenge:

Whether you are a solo-preneur, small business owner, pastor, non-profit director, or in some other position of influence and leadership, these 5 things apply to you.

1. Mission matters
2. Culture is created
3. Values are contagious
4. Growth (both personal and corporate) is a choice
5. Action and accountability produce results

SLP327 - Monday Mastery Edition : The Value of the Valley

Full speed ahead may seem like the most progressive and productive path, but burnout is sure to follow. The valley is your pathway from one mountain top to another, and the rest and restoration you receive there is invaluable. Remember the vision from the mountain top to keep you moving through the valley, taking advantage of what it has to offer you as you pass through. Tune in today to find out more.