Monday Morning Mojo

Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt stuck? Although you may have a stable family life and your career is secure, you feel as though your life has become repetitive – a set of traditions and routines. Thus, you reflect; you think back on the “glory days” of college, high school, your first exciting professional opportunity, or perhaps your first love, and have an unrequited desire to revisit those past moments and experiences. In today’s episode, we discuss why exactly the desire to relive your most memorable experiences is counterproductive and essentially a trap. Nobody enjoys feeling stuck, and this morning we hope to give you the solution to pull you away from this cycle.   Resources: Please send comments and questions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com Kenny Chesney; “the Boys of Fall”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEc1m-r_0gM

Imagine this scenario: you are working with a group/team and have a vision or idea of the correct path for you all to take to accomplish your goal – whatever that may be. Yet, those around are not able to see what you see, either because they can’t or don’t want to. The majority of us have had at least one of these moments in our lifetime, and in this episode, we discuss the correct approach to take should this occur. Big visions are like large trees – you need to swing the axe more than once if you want it to fall. By providing the right motivation, and communicating your ideas both initially and throughout an entire project, you develop what we like to call “persistent patience.” That is, a patient intensity that allows long term goals to be met without artificially forcing activity on your team members.   Please send comments or questions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com

How do you define courage? Is it overcoming adversity? Maybe it is overcoming fear?   Webster’s defines courage as a “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty,” and in this episode, we dissect and develop our own understanding of what it means to be courageous. Courage can appear in a multitude of states: physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual. On one end of the spectrum, courage can be a mechanism for survival; yet on the other end, it can be about doing the right thing even when the right thing is not the easiest. Courage must be fostered, developed and honored, and this week we encourage you to find the areas in your life where you can demonstrate courage and bring out courage in others.   Please send comments or questions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com

Think about your work environment. What energy do you and your co-workers bring to the office every day? Is it lively? Dull? What motivates you and your team to engage whole-heartedly in a project? In this episode, we discuss how to bring a jolt of fresh energy to your company culture in honor of the start of a new season. The weather is turning cool and crisp, football stadiums are filling up on the weekends, the school-year has just begun, and now is the best possible time to re-instill passion into your organization. Finding strategies to recharge the energy in your company culture is vital to success. It will not only lay the groundwork for future business growth, but will also bring some fun into everyone’s daily routine. Please send comments or questions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com The Cannon Curve Podcast: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/the-cannon-curve

What if we told you that goal based planning is failing for many firms and also many advisors. On more than one occasion, we have noticed that when a firm or advisor is asked to identify specific metrics for their various goals, they often struggle. In this morning’s episode we dive into why that may be, and as it turns out, the solution is quite simple. There are two key elements that can cause goal-based planning to fail, and they both revolve around not having a tangible vision to base your goals on. Goal-setting is on its own a monotonous process that tends to focus on the “what” and the “how.” However, the simple yet crucial question you must ask begins with “why.” Today we are going to talk about the “why” Please send comments or questions to mojo@cannonfinancial.com It’s not About the Nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed when confronted with the idea of a life change – big or small? It is fairly human to fear the unknown, to fear failure, to fear disappointment, to fear stepping away from a comfort zone; and for many of us, the idea of change generally carries at least one, if not most, of these fears with it.   In this episode, we outline four steps to pragmatically asses whatever change you may be contemplating. By following these four steps, we hope that you can view change in a way that will either make the transition less overwhelming or allow you to confidently remain on your current path. We encourage you to retake control when change makes you feel like you are riding shotgun instead of sitting behind the wheel; we encourage you to not let fear of change inhibit you from taking action; and, most importantly, we encourage you to change the way you perceive change. Resources: Please send comments or questions to: mojo@cannonfinancial.com   The Cannon Curve Podcast: http://www.can

Is society losing its grip on good, deep, solid conversations? Yes, we are more connected on a macro level through technology and social media, but have we lost some of our face-to-face communication skills because of our digitally evolving world? In this episode, we talk conversations. We discuss the importance of seeking to understand rather than seeking to be heard when conversing with one another, and Phil shares three questions he typically asks during a conversation with a new acquaintance. He finds that ironically, to become a better conversationalist, you must speak less and listen more – actively learning from what your conversational partner has to share.

After 10 days off the grid, away from phones, email, wifi, television, etc., Phil returns with key insights he gained while conversing with a gentleman who had also used those ten days to abstain from technology. This particular gentleman has managed to maintain an impressive number of accomplishments, which brought up two questions: Why do you do the things you do? And, how do you find the time? In this episode we discuss the importance of taking advantage of the time we are given. Time passes whether you are doing great things or not, so why not do great things? We all have dreams; now is the time to move those dreams into action.

What does “just doing the job” mean to you? When you ask those who have served, fought and received the Congressional Medal of Honor, “just doing the job” means demonstrating unparalleled valor and courage against enemy forces. Talking to these men and discovering the humble way in which they speak of their experiences and accomplishments is inspiring. On the battlefield, men learn brotherhood and the importance of putting the fate of the whole above the fate of one’s self. And off the battlefield, these men realize the importance of putting their relationships with family, friends, and fellow soldiers above the pettiness of everyday life. In this episode, we encourage to learn from their stories and measured approaches to life. Put the needs of your clients and your clients’ families above your own and always hold fast to humility. We do more than influence our clients’ journeys, we serve as chief navigators, and with that responsibility comes great accountability. Resources: Congressional Medal of Honor S

“See I believe life is an influenced journey. Based on certain Circumstances, we are all put into situations that at times empower us and at other times restrain us. The key is appreciating the lessons in all circumstances.” - Words from Chief Justice John G. Roberts’ commencement address (2017) Failure is not permanent, but neither is success. How will you choose to embrace success and failure? How will you choose to relate to them? How will you choose to learn from them? And finally, how will you ultimately choose to manage them? In this episode, we reflect on the importance of staying humble and kind when you are filled with pride and success, and to own your failures in a way that will shape your life for a positive future. Failure is not permanent, but neither is success, and to accept this, is to become a force for good.  Resources: Chief Justice John G. Roberts’ commencement address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzu9S5FL-Ug Tim McGraw’s, “Humble and Kind”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc

The hypothesis: Monday Morning Mojo listeners are likely leaders in various forms or fashions. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why would they think this?” Well, we came to this conclusion based on our research which shows most of you to be active learners – listening to three or more podcasts a week and reading voraciously. We realize that leaders come in many forms, and when you invest in yourself by seeking knowledge, perspective, and understanding, you grow in your capacity to influence those around you. Thus, this past Wednesday we proudly launched the inaugural episode of our latest podcast series, the Cannon Curve. This podcast is dedicated to unearthing the stories of impactful leaders through a series of interview-style episodes. In the handful of interviews conducted to date, we are already noticing a pattern of great leaders possessing the unique ability to instill confidence in their peers and to even go a step further by motivating their peers to achieve more than they once believed possible. In

What great thoughts are locked in your brain? Have you ever thought to write them down? For Spanx founder and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Sara Blakely, writing down her thoughts and ideas about a seamless, body-slimming undergarment helped to solidify her business plan for her now multi-billion dollar company. In this episode of Monday Morning Mojo, we discuss the importance of taking time each day to reflect on your day’s journey, the people with whom you interacted, as well as any inspiration you found throughout your day. We encourage you to keep a journal close at hand to collect these thoughts. Who knows you might have the next great idea. Sources/Resources Spanx – Sara Blakely: http://www.spanx.com/about-us Plato - http://www.arkintime.com/know-thyself/plato/ Journaling: -     What is Journaling - http://www.becomingwhoyouare.net/what-is-journaling/ -     Benefits of Journaling -  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thai-nguyen/benefits-of-journaling-_b_6648884.html -     Health Benefits of Journaling - http

Who are the five people with whom you spend the most time? Looking at the past and present relationships you have cultivated and the individuals that you have chosen to surround yourself with, can you specifically identify those who have influenced you in some way? As Jim Rohn famously stated, “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and this Monday morning, we challenge you to examine your relationships and consider what traits you admire most in your closest peers, colleagues, friends, and family. If you find certain characteristics in those individuals that won’t enhance or contribute to making you a better person, take caution to not let those relationships have unwarranted influence on you. Influence is an incredibly powerful tool, be aware of those influencing you, and with your influence, be a force for good.  Resources: Jim Rohn: https://www.jimrohn.com/ 

When did we lose our capacity to respectfully engage with those who hold a different opinion than our own? Have we forgotten how to disagree without being disagreeable? It’s astounding how today, society is quick to reject perspectives that align perpendicular to our own, and quick to judge one another based solely on our differences.  Life is too short to live this way, and in this morning’s episode, we challenge you to consciously remain open to other perspectives and acknowledge that sometimes you must respectfully agree to disagree. Because when one dismisses another entirely due to a disagreement on a particular point of view, he or she may be missing out on building a great relationship.   Resources: - Depeche Mode – “People are People” - Music Video: https://youtu.be/ErnMC7xokQ8 - Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/depechemode/peoplearepeople.html - Friendship between Justices Ginsburg and Scalia - Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/02/13/what-made-scalia-and-ginsburgs-

All successful leaders fail.  The key to great leadership is not a 100% success rate; the key to great leadership is the ability to step up and adjust or pivot our initial course of action despite the feeling of failure. Many of us are afraid of the unknown or a lack of a plan B, which greatly inhibits our willingness to seize opportunities. However, if we get comfortable in life with ambiguity, and acknowledge that not every deal, job, or project will work as planned, we set ourselves on a path to achieve greatness.  This Monday morning, we leave you with three ideas to incorporate into your professional endeavors, and challenge you to embrace failure as an essential component of any learning experience. Success may fail at first; it is up to you to not let that failure hinder your ability to be great.

Netflix has replaced Blockbuster, Spotify replaced Apple, Uber replaced taxis, and it seems technology continues to disrupt old-school business models... Or does it? This Monday Morning, we discuss the biggest threat to any firm, and it just so happens, it is not technology. Yes, there are competitive robo-platforms, but instead of being threatened by them, we should simply respond by integrating technology into our own business model while focusing the majority of our energy on our time with clients. The value proposition of an advisor is embedded tightly within his/her relationships to clients, and if an advisor can satisfy a client’s technology needs while building deeper professional connections, they will remain ahead of the curve. To maintain or grow market share, one must find the solution that is completely client-centric, and not doing so is the biggest threat to any business.   Resources: - Alberto Brea: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/amazon-did-kill-retail-industry-alberto-brea

  On June 9th, 2017 – only four short days from today – is a day many believe will live in infamy. This Friday is the DOL Fiduciary Rule implementation day, and it is a day making headlines in the financial news – carrying a multitude of questions for advisors and financial firms alike.   How will the Fiduciary Rule evolve business practices? What impact will the rule have on our future and current relationships with clients? These are excellent questions many of us are asking, but perhaps this rule is not as earth-shattering as we seem to think.   This Monday Morning, we are taking a moment to explore the fundamental meaning of the word fiduciary. Once dissected and peeled back to its root, we find that to be a fiduciary is to be an individual who values trust and character. We must remind ourselves that to act as a fiduciary, you are simply required to act in the interest of another; and if you operate within a business that upholds a genuine client-centric model, you are already acting in this manner. Cete

We have heard it before – the story of a toxic corporate culture or the tale of a not-so-fabulous boss. This is a challenging situation to find yourself in, but in the event that you do, you have two options: exit or engage.   This Monday morning, Phil defines the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s colleagues, clients, and supervisors. It’s no surprise that corporate culture matters. Those you surround yourself with matter. A healthy, inviting corporate culture is absolutely imperative for a successful and growing company. As a member of a team, your active contribution in preserving an environment where your colleagues feel welcome and appreciated is critical. Additionally, those in a leadership position must set a positive example and deliberately work to cultivate a strong culture for his/her team.  

What mindset do leaders indoctrinate into the backbone of their failures and successes that enables them to achieve the extraordinary? As Dr. Chuck Swindoll correctly stated, “life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it.” This is just one of the key realizations successful leaders must program into their mind’s framework in order to fully accelerate their career.   In this episode, Phil outlines three courses of thought leaders must actively engage in to answer the question: “How is it that great leaders are able to overcome the two great limitations of inertia and fear?” As a preview of the content of the new Cannon Curve podcast coming this June, this Monday Morning serves as the beginning of an attempt to define the habits and characteristics of exceptional leadership.   Resources: Insight for Living: https://www.insight.org/about/chuck-swindoll Twitter: @chuckswindoll Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chuck-Swindoll-107888769305/  

If you were to take a look into the minds, routines, and character traits of today’s leaders, what would you find? Phil begins to answer this question in his new podcast series – The Cannon Curve. Coming in June, this new series features interviews with many of the nation’s top leaders, CEO’s, and thought provocateurs in the business world, providing insight into the mechanics of modern day leaders. This Monday morning, Phil shares seven pivotal lessons he has learned from the first of these interviews in order to begin to reveal how these influential individuals function. Although leadership styles vary, there are core characteristics and habits that the majority of leaders have in common, and in this episode, Phil has gone straight to the source to identify what they are. Learn More: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/uploads/main/An_Overview_One_Page.pdf