lance cashion: remote control

Aspirando et Perseverando

Since arriving at Avon Old Farms School in the fall of 1989, a thread runs through my life that links directly back to one of the most unique schools in America. The school's Latin motto; "Aspirando et Perseverando" means "Aspire and Persevere". To a 14 year old boy, it meant very little. However, as a 36 year old man, it's meaning strikes at the core of the human experience.

We each aspire to do better and to be better people than we were yesterday. We should aspire to become better versions of ourselves. We persevere through trials and challenges. Tell me something is impossible and I'll give you examples throughout history where humans have aspired and persevered to achieve the impossible. Think about it next time you board an aircraft, or turn on your computer or seek medical treatment. Someone achieved the impossible for us to be able to enjoy our modern (convenient) lifestyle. 

Try this. Borrow the Latin phrase "Aspirando et Perseverando'. I'm sure that Avon Old Farms School won't mind. Write it down on a Post-it note and place it somewhere obvious and refer to it a few times per day. Write it down in Latin. When you read it aloud in another language, it will leave an imprint on your mind that English cannot. Do this for one week. When you come up against a challenge, read it.

See what happens.

Note: Avon Old Farms School is a prep school for boys located in Avon, CT (about 20 minutes from Hartford).

Visit Lance Cashion at www.lancecashion.com or www.hybridcare.com

First Things First: Don't Check Your Email

I am guilty as charged!  Trying to break a decade old habit is tough.  It is a daily battle. I walk into my office and fire up the computer... and open my emails.  Worse is when I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see (besides the time) is my email on my iphone! 

This is not the proper way to start your day.  What's so important that it cannot wait until I filled my mind with something of value like a Bible verse, exercise, or morning meditation?  Let's be honest, if it were an emergency, I would have received a phone call, not an email.

Looking for a simple way to bring levity and peace into your busy work day?

This is what I do when I arrive at work: (5 minutes)

1. I say a prayer and review my personal mission statement

2. I review my Goals

3. I check my To-Do List

4. I make sure my To-Do List and 1-3 are in alighnment and concert with each other.

Notice, checking email is not included on that list.

How do you start your day?

 

Learning Perseverance from a Toddler

If we could only persevere like my 17 month old son! Over the last year and seven months, I have become very observant. I've watched this little boy go from the process of not being able to move from one place to his current activity of running through the house.

For several weeks, Nelson (our son) has been attempting to climb the giant leather ottoman in our family room. I've quietly watched him circle the piece of furniture, get a running start and try to somehow force his way on top. I've seen him try to pull himself up, straining with every ounce of strength until the little veins in his head looked like they were going to pop out, only to topple down to the floor. At first, my wife and I were telling him "no" and trying to pursued him into a different activity. (That was a losing battle).

Last week, I saw him hiking one leg up in the air and using the sofa as leverage to climb on top. He fell between the ottoman and the sofa. Needless to say, he was not happy. I was thinking to myself, "That ottoman is to tall for him. He'll eventually make it, but not anytime soon."

Yesterday, I was looking after Nelson in the family room (Kat was out with her mother and sister... leaving us boys at home). He was leaning on the ottoman watching Finding Nemo. I left the room for a moment. When I came back, I saw an amazing event.

I watched and listened as my son grunted and battled his way on to the top of the ottoman. It took him several moments of extreme effort. I quietly sat down on the couch behind him and watched him battle. He reached the summit. He gathered his composure, still huffing and puffing. He steadied himself then turned around, stood up and smiled at me. Mission accomplished!

So often, I find myself wondering about teachable moments for my children. I think to myself that I need to say or do this or that. To my surprise, my toddler provided me with a teachable moment.

If we put in the focus and effort that Nelson used to conquer that ottoman, how would our lives be different?

Imagine your life if doubt did not exist?

There was no doubt in that little boy's mind that he would make it to the top of the ottoman yesterday. He was committed.

He persevered, won and I consider it a lesson.

Thanks Son!

Set your intention for the week today

Set your intention and tone for the week today.  If you know where you want to go, find a way to get there (set goals).  So, you don’t get lost. 

Our time is limited in this life.  It’s what you do right now that matters.

Where do you want to go?

How will you get there?

Lance Cashion

ps. Buy a sticker

Advice for the head-honcho : Serving your people

As many of you may have figured out.  I am a Seth Godin fan.  I enjoy reading his insights, several of which I apply to my work.  Below is his blog entry from May, 15th 2010.  As a team leader, I must remain focused on the needs of my team.  In order for me to succeed, I must work to provide them with every tool, technology, and support possible to accomplish their goals.  Without them, I am just a dude behind a desk with a vision.   Without my team, I have no one to share my vision with and that vision will not become reality.  It’s always healthy to get a gentle reminder… Thanks Seth!  Servant Leadership is the way WE all want to be lead.  And the post below speaks to that imo.

Who do you work for? (And who works for you?)

"I always took the position that my boss (when I had a job) worked for me. My job was to do the thing I was hired to do, and my boss had assets that could help me do the job better. His job, then, was to figure out how best give me access to the people, systems and resources that would allow me to do my job the best possible way".  Read more here... (Seth's Blog)

Enjoy and see you again soon!

Lance Cashion

American Health Underwriters

Entreleadership 1-Day event take away

I took my team leaders to Dave Ramsey's Entreleadership 1 day event in Dallas Thursday.  I was a bit apprehensive about their reactions to Dave and the material when I decided to invite them to join me at the event.  I ended up asking them to buy their own tickets.  This added more pressure but they now had a vested interest in getting their money's worth.  I believe in the material and Dave's delivery always get's the point across.

Nearly 48 hours later, I have had an opportunity to get feedback from each team member.  I found that each of them got something completely different from the lessons.  One of our top managers, who is in a leadership position said that the goal setting and section on business plan basics resonated with him.  In fact, we had a 20 minute discussion about how we all need to sit down and write our small business plans and KRAs (Key Results Area).  This also led to an important discussion about goal setting and the importance team members' personal budgets.  Our team is on commission, if we partner with them in their personal financial walk, we can help them avoid financial crisis that would affect their production.

During the live lesson, I noticed our head recruiter and director of marketing was making notes like a madman on the Delegation and Time Management sections.  We've since sat down to discuss strategy modifications going forward.  These are minor course corrections in the process we currently employ.  We both agree that some people need to "get off the bus". 

Another of our team who is one of our top managers and in-house team motivator is tweaking our current goal-setting process.  He noticed the significance that Dave placed on goal-setting while I was reminded that goal-setting is essential to winning. 

I believe our next leadership meeting will be extremely productive.

At the end of the day, Entreleadership 1 Day event is a solid product (as is the Master Series).  Similar to when the iphone was introduced, I promote great products that improve lives.  I like buying great products.  When I was a DJ, I sought out quality music and introduced it to the masses.  When I sell insurance, I make sure it is the highest quality and I make sure to sell it to as many people as possible.  When I build a team, only the best will do.  That is why I brought them to Entre 1 Day Event.  I care about improving their lives and that of my the folks in my organization. 

You can read about my experience at Entreleadership Cancun (6 Day Event) here...

It's a culture thing.

Lance Cashion

Joe Biden: Motivating US Olympic Team FAIL

I saw Vice President Joe Biden interview with his wife after the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. 

Mr. Biden is nice enough but it's the subtle defeatism I picked up on coming from our Vice President.    He had an opportunity to speak to the US Team before the opening ceremonies.  When the interviewer asked Joe Biden what he said to the US Olympic Team.  

This is what the VP said (to our athletes);  

"The idea that they risk failure in front of so many people…. It takes a lot of guts, man".  

Does this strike anyone as odd?  Or is it just me?  What kind of statement is that from a leader?  I have never had a coach or a leader whom I admired say anything like that!  That is the LEAST motivating statement I have ever heard uttered to a group of athletes who, are hell bent on WINNING!  This is not what Vince Lombardi or Mack Brown would say is it?

Watch the video and judge for yourself (49 second mark)

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=acea6967-74bc-4d98-8fca-0e4e2072a03c.html  

Just an observation

Lance Cashion

PS. Shaun White killed it last night on the half-pipe.  Nice work dude!  I guess you did not listen to Joe's thrilling motivational remarks... too busy thinking about WINNING the Gold!

Enjoy Reading: 3 Books

I have never considered myself much of a reader. Actually, I love to read but time constraints and a short attention span hamper my attempts to get high volume reading done. Often I find myself reading 3 or 4 books at the same time. I'm sure this perplexes my sweet little wife who can blast through a book in a few days. It takes me months! I'm quite jealous b/c I am aware how much reading helps us learn and enjoy life.

My freshman high-school year at Avon Old Farms School in CT, I had an English teacher by the name of Mr. Clark. Now, Mr. Clark was in his mid-eighties and was reknown for his disdain for nonsense. He was not afraid to publicly call out a young man for acting foolish or being lazy. If he did not like you, you knew it (and so did everyone else on campus). In any event, he was one of the most impactful teachers I ever had in school. When I arrived in CT, I hated reading. After a few weeks into my freshman year, I began to love reading. It changed my life. About a year after I graduated from College. I was in NYC visiting some good friends and I decided to make the trek to Avon to see Mr. Clark. He had since retired and was living in an assisted living center near the school. I called him and we met for lunch. We visited for a couple hours. He had an extensive library and was good friends with the famous American poet, Robert Frost. This had always fascinated me. I asked him about his love of reading. He said, "Cashion, if you learn to love reading, no matter what your situation or you age, you can go anywhere and do anything." I asked for a reading list, he kindly wrote some books down for me and I headed back the NYC. He passed away shortly after. However, not before I was able to take my wife to his nursing home to meet him. He had been asleep, but a friend announced our arrival and he perked up and we enjoyed a short visit.

There is the background and here are books that I have recently read and recommend. I recommend daily reading of the Bible (first and foremost):

1. 
   
   Tribes- By Seth Godin
   
   This is a great book! It's about connecting folks around you and leading a tribe. It is about recognizing your potential as a leader who brings about change by marshalling others who believe the same. Most of this is done through the use of the internet. If you have never see yourself as much of a leader, but recognize the fact that you have qualities that can improve your part of the world (work, family, products, ideas, etc), I recommend giving this short book a read.
   
   "Part of Leadership…is The Ability To Stick With The Dream For a Long Time….Long Enough That the Critics Realize That You're Going to Get There One Way or Another…So They Follow."- Seth Godin (Tribes)
   
   
2. 
   
   QBQ – The Question Behind The Question- By John G. Miller
   
   This is another great book! QBQ is a short book about personal accountability. In a culture where blame and cover-your-tail bureaucracy rule the day, accountability is scarce and highly prized. After reading, you'll look at questions differently and you'll begin to see how important your approach to accountability is. It's all about recognizing traits in our own behavior and personality. You begin to ask question with "What" or "How" and use the word "I" rather than the opposite. This is action language. "What can I do to expedite this process or solve this problem?" "How can I help you with this issue?" You get it? Instead of ""Who dropped the ball?" "When is the department going to do their job right?" "When are we going to get more technology?" I've personally fallen into that trap and I have discovered that making the change improves my life. (I still screw up sometimes and blame, but I'm improving). Take responsibility in front of your family and/or team. See how they react when your personal accountability is on the forefront of all that you do.
   
   "From the smallest group to the largest corporation, from the lowest rung on the ladder to the highest office in the land, there's an epidemic of blame going on and no one seems immune. The CEO blames the vice president, who blames the manager, who blames the employee, who blames the customer, who blames the government, who blames the people, who blame the politicans, who blame the schools, who blame the parents, who blame the teen, who blames the dad, who blames the mom, who blames her manager, who blames the vice president, who blames the CEO, and on and on it goes. This is the 'Circle of Blame,' and it would be kind of funny it weren't so true. Blame and 'whodunit' questions solve nothing. They create fear, destroy creativity, and build walls." -John G. Miller (QBQ)
   
3. 
   
   How The Mighty Fall – by Jim Collins
   
   
   
   
   I have about ten pages left in this book and I find it one of the most fascinating books I have read about business. This is a business book for people who hate "business" books. Jim Collins researches once dominant organizations that have fallen from greatness to decline or irrelevance. This book points out the phases of decline and shows you how to change course and/or reverse decline. Interesting thing about organizations in the first stages of decline, they are not aware of the fact that they are in decline. Profitability does not prove that decline is happening. In fact, profitability can fog our vision. Interesting read and well-researched by a great author. Below is an outtake from the book:
   
   Stage 1 is hubris born of success. The company's people become arrogant, regarding success as virtually an entitlement.
   
   Stage 2 is the undisciplined pursuit of more -- more scale, more growth, more acclaim. Companies stray from the disciplined creativity that led them to greatness in the first place, making undisciplined leaps into areas where they cannot be great or growing faster than they can achieve with excellence, or both.
   
   Stage 3 is denial of risk and peril. Leaders of the company discount negative data, amplify positive data and put a positive spin on ambiguous data. Those in power start to blame external factors for setbacks rather than accept responsibility.
   
   Stage 4 is grasping for salvation. Common "saviors" include a charismatic visionary leader, a bold but untested strategy, a radical transformation, a "game changing" acquisition or any number of other silver-bullet solutions.
   
   Stage 5 is capitulation to irrelevance or death. Accumulative setbacks and expensive false starts erode financial strength and individual spirits to such an extent that leaders abandon all hope of building a great future. In some cases their leaders just sell out. In other cases the institution atrophies to utter insignificance.
   

Take some time to research these books. I'll add a few more at a later date! Enjoy!

Lance Cashion

Labels: books, jim collins, john g. miller, lance cashion, reading, seth godin

Refections & Notes from Dave Ramsey Entreleadership- Cancun

Photos by Lance Cashion

It was been nearly 3 weeks since Kat and I returned from our week-long adventured to Cancun for Dave Ramsey's Entreleadership conference. I will not go into detail about the structure and the daily sessions. I will say that I regret not keeping a journal. However, I was so mentally drained each day that I doubt I could manage stringing even the simplest coherent sentences together.

I knew that this experience would be unique when Hurricane Ida was working her way up the Yucatan Peninsula and thereby delaying our departure from DFW. Leaving our 6month old son was trying enough, but if I did not deliver sun, sand and paradise to Kat.... It was going to be a LONG week. By the grace of God, Hurricane Ida cleared out of town before we arrived.

Prior to embarking on this journey with Dave and his team, I had been struggling in my own organization. I knew that I needed to take a bigger leadership role in our family business but I did not possess the tools or the mindset to make that move. Basically, I was highly motivated but frustrated that I did not know "how" to proceed in my organization. My wheels were spinning but I was getting no traction and in a rut mentally and leadership-wise. Therefore, I had become stagnant, which is dangerous. This was spilling over into my family life. And like anyone who has worked in a family business knows, the dynamics and tensions are completely different b/c they are emotional and personal. You DON'T just leave work behind at 5:30 or 6pm and go home. You carry the weight of triumph and disaster on your shoulders at all times. When you feel this way, fear, doubt and frustration can seep into your life. "Fear is not a fruit of the spirit". "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2Tim 1:7

I had never been to a "conference" like this before. I don't buy 99% of the "self-help" crap out there. I BELIEVE that the Bible, particularly the New Testament, Proverbs and Psalms are the best "self-help" books available to man. That being said, Kat and I have been listening to Dave Ramsey for several years and we've been working his Financial Peace (Debt Free) program as well. It has transformed our lives. B/c we never knew what was obvious to our grandparents... Don't buy something you can't afford, don't borrow money! We know through personal experience that Dave's principles work. Let me remind you, Dave does not take credit for the ideas he espouses. They come straight from the Bible. I decided that Entreleadership was EXACTLY what I needed. How much I would actually get out of it was an unknown, so my expectations were skewed down and to the right (low).

My mind set changed when we arrived in Cancun late (6 hour flight delay) and one of Dave's Vice Presidents (and right hand) and video directors were there to greet us as we exited Mexican Customs. We were blasted in the face with 100% humidity leaving the terminal. Let me preface this, that I did not know who these people were at the time. They did not wear their "positions" on their sleeve. I figured they were just kindly gofers for Dave. It was not until our first dinner that I understood that Dave Ramsey had sent his equivalent of Dick Cheney to retrieve us from the airport. I must say, once these kindly, engaging gentlemen offered two weary travelers a cold Cervesas as we waited to board the van to the resort, I felt better about my standing with my wife and the experience in general. The rain had cleared and Dave's folks informed us that the weather forecast was nothing short of awesome. (I let out a sigh of relief and marriage saved) LOL!

After Dave's first lesson and dinner, Kat and I were ready for some rest. Awakened at 4am by a racing mind, I came to the realization that this experience was not going to be anything like I expected. It became clear that I was here for a reason and my life would never be the same. And, for me, there would be some growing pains this week and some tough choices to make. BTW, I will gladly share my personal Testimony if you are interested via email or private message. I drifted off to sleep.... Having taken this leap of Faith, searching for what I am designed by God to be.

The daily sessions were engaging and insightful. I never really had a mentor. I have people I have looked up to, but no one had shown me how to be a good Christian leader and follower. I took away so much information during the sessions that I found myself doing homework. If you don't know me, I hated homework and school for the most part... But, I have an affinity and thirst for knowledge and practical approaches to problems. I am an empiricalist and a bit skeptical. So, Dave's way of teaching worked for me. Not to mention, I have the attention span of a 6 year-old boy who's had entirely too much candy on Halloween (btw, I was born on Halloween).

Dave Ramsey opened up his playbook on building and growing a successful business doing "work that matters". I will say this, I thought that this "work that matters" line was just that, a line, a sales pitch before arriving in Cancun. (No offense Dave). I knew his type of work (getting people out of debt) mattered. But, how did MY work "matter"??? Little did I know, THIS was the reason why I was in Cancun. From the ground up and from 30,000 feet in the air, Dave took us on a journey through an organization that makes a difference in the world. He shared stories of triumph and disaster.The daily sessions were just a small aspect of this experience. Dave created an environment where his team was accessible and jumped at a chance to interact with you. They made us feel like old friends from the moment we arrived in Cancun (notice, I did not say family... family is loving but stressful). We had the opportunity to visit, laugh, share and gain insight from everyone on Dave's team. Fact: I made it a point to visit with everyone on Dave's team and I took something valuable away from every personal I spoke with. Not only that, but until the day we departed, we were constantly asked "is there was anything we could do for you? You let me (us) know."

Another facet is meeting and making friends with other participants. There were some amazing people on this trip who had their own struggles and questions. I know some who went home and left their places of work to live by a vision of their own. These were family people. Good Americans... the life blood of this country and they were investing their time and resources to become better versions of themselves for their teams, families and communities. I am honored and humbled to have been able to meet such great people who may be your neighbors. Believe me, these are the kind of people you want living around you.

Finally, there was the time spent alone and with Kat. We had conversations about life and work and family that we have never had before. I found that Kat was not someone I needed to protect from the stresses of my career and decision making. She was to become my most trusted advisor and directly engage work with me. I found that she had been providing me with valuable insight for years but like a normal guy, I had not really listened to what she was telling me. For this I am sorry. In the mornings, I would let Kat sleep and head for coffee and a walk. A moving meditation as I walked along the shore as the sun broke through the clouds. I would take my Bible and camera on these morning excursions. At one point, I was basically alone on a huge beach listening to God speak through nature. It reminded me of the morning before our wedding in Maui. I had woken up before dawn and walked down to the beach alone... completely alone... well, with God. I slipped into the water and turned to the shore and watched at the Creator painted a mighty picture on the canvas of the sky. A one of a kind piece of cosmic art that would never appear in exactly the same way again.. Ever. I had that same feeling return will watching the sun greet the Mexican landscape. This was more than I had envisioned.

I was learning and growing. After a long walk on the beach with my wife. I knew that life was different now, I knew what I needed to come home and do. I had the tools to make my vision a reality. I knew how to make my life and work a mission. I know how to share my vision and surround myself with people who share my vision. I know the DNA of my organization and how to improve and change things in a way that improves the lives of my team but overflow into the lives of our families and anyone who we come in contact with. Making an impact like the one that was made on me when I arrived in Cancun.

I visited with Dave after breakfast on the last day. I thanked him and told him that he has an awesome team. Before dinner, I told Sharon (his wife) that Dave is awesome. It's important to sincerely say "thank you" in private and in the presence of people they love. Gratitude brings peace to life and to the lives of those who you are grateful to. I thank God for giving me this opportunity and my family for supporting it.

Thanks Dave and Lampo Group for helping me become a better version of myself. I assure you that your efforts with me will bear fruit.

"Fear has left the building"
(Dave Ramsey-Friday Nov. 13, 2009 Cancun, Mex)

Over and out.
Lance Cashion

 

Labels: business, faith, family, God, knowledge, leadership, learning