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APRIL 2021
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HOW DISCOMFORT CAN LEAD TO SUCCESS
It’s rare that we reach the achievements we’re most proud of without feeling a little uncomfortable along the way. I’m not the biggest history buff, but I was reminded of that fact after learning that April 19, 1775, was the day that the American Revolution began. This was a massive act of rebellion that succeeded despite disagreement among colonial settlers about what would replace British rule.
He realizes that what he’s doing with his life isn’t working, so he decides to follow the exact opposite of his impulses. It pays off! He meets a beautiful girl and gets a dream job with the Yankees. When I reach a crossroads in life, sometimes I think about that episode. What would happen if I did the opposite of my first impulse? Many designers who are new to the landscape design business choose to focus on
Imagine you’re a colonist in 1775. For decades, all of your neighbors have been discussing problems associated with the ruling British government, such as being taxed at a high rate despite self-governing for the most part. Although separating is an attractive option, it comes at a heavy cost — war
one or two areas and outsource the rest of their project to someone else. At BLG Environmental, we decided to handle every aspect of our projects in-house, and that wasn’t an easy decision to make as an entrepreneur. Not many people were doing it,
SOMETIMES WE GET LUCKY AND THE EASY PATH IS THE BEST PATH, BUT, AS ADULTS, WE KNOW THAT’S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN LIFE.
and it felt very niche at the time. Yet, when I stood in a boardroom and people began asking me questions about real estate worth upwards of $80–$90 million, I realized that my skill set put me exactly where I needed to be for that opportunity. Even if I was unsure about it at first, sometimes that discomfort is exactly what you need to know it was the right thing to do.
outside your front door. Not only would this completely disrupt peace as you know it, but it would also put you and your family’s financial stability and lives at risk for an indefinite period. Plus, separating is even riskier because all your neighbors have different, conflicting ideas for how the new government would operate.
Yet, the colonists decided to rebel anyway. They fought against any other instinct for self- preservation and chose to fight for a future of liberty to accommodate all their differences.
I’m not saying that I’m anywhere near as brave as our early American colonists, of course — only that we can learn from the lessons their stories provide, and I’m glad to be born in this great country that provides incredibly diverse people, beliefs, and opportunities. The news can often worry us, but I remain as optimistic as ever that this, too, will pass, and we’ll find our way.
Although we may not be risking our lives every day, it can be challenging to avoid always taking the easy route or defaulting to our habitual responses. Sometimes we get lucky and the easy path is the best path, but, as adults, we know that’s not always the case in life.
There’s a “Seinfeld” episode that’s a great example of this. One of the main characters, George, is an unemployed 30-year-old man living with his parents.
Robert Burns
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3 Lessons From ‘Time Management’ by Brian Tracy ROBERT’S BUSINESS BOOK SPOTLIGHT
As a business owner, I’m no stranger to endless interruptions, meetings, emails, and phone calls. Juggling tasks and prioritizing responsibilities while battling procrastination can be overwhelming. To be a successful business owner, you have to have good time management skills. And Brian Tracy is a time management expert. His pocket-sized book, released in 2018, is aptly named “Time Management.” I picked it up recently and loved it, so I thought I’d share a few key insights. No. 1: Do the one or two tasks that produce the biggest results first.
If you’re having trouble prioritizing your tasks, start with the one that’ll have the greatest impact on your future. What will help you make the most progress today? If the hardest task is also the one that will create the greatest impact, don’t put it last. Dedicate time to it first, so you can determine how to structure the rest of your day after the most grueling part is over. No. 2: Delegate to trusted individuals as much as possible. Good leaders don’t just work hard. They also hire and delegate tasks to trusted individuals. Of course, this doesn’t mean delegating all your work, but if there are tasks only you can
A PUPPY AND PRO ATHLETE TEDDY’S PAW-SPECTIVE
H iya, newsletter friends! this year. That made me sad for the runners. I’m a bit of a running professional myself. I love running! It’s me, Teddy. I recently learned about the Boston Marathon from Mom and Dad and how it’s postponed
In the last newsletter, I talked a bit about shenanigans … and for some reason, running often qualifies! I
don’t know who made running a federal crime, but sometimes the police (aka Mom and Dad) start pursuing me right away when I get going! That can be pretty fun, honestly. My favorite races are the ones I run around Mom and Dad’s room — they chase me so hard, the floors start shaking. It’s so exciting! I also love it when the little humans chase me down in the yard. It’s not fair because I’m on a leash, of course. I understand giving me the handicap though. They have weak little feet compared to my strong, hunter paws. Plus they each only have two feet, and I get to run around on four. I still get a little upset when there’s a butterfly or bird just out of reach, though. I guess you could say that I’ve been training for my own marathon. One day, I want to be able to run from the backyard all the way to Mom and Dad’s bed in five seconds flat! Imagine getting muddy paw prints on all those white sheets. The ultimate shenanigans, am I right? Unfortunately, my parents are mind readers. Dad always foils my plans by picking me up before I run inside. When I’m not running, though, I love sitting on people’s laps. That’s the best treat at the end of the day, especially when I’m with Juliet or Gavin! It makes me feel powerful to nap and immobilize their small human feet for a few hours while they watch TV. You could say it keeps my mischief meter running while resting.
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OUR CLIENTS SAY IT BEST! Robert understood my wants for the update in my yard. He was most accommodating with my thought changes in the original plan and created reasonable for all the services offered. The crew did a fantastic job and were polite, timely, clean, and really hard-working. I absolutely recommend BLG Environmental Services without hesitation.” -Lynn Minkow the perfect space for me. His fees were very
tackle, it’s most effective to focus on those and let others do the rest. Utilizing your teamwell can produce big results for you and help you manage your time more effectively. No. 3: Follow the 80-20 rule. Known also as the Pareto principle, the 80-20 rule suggests that 20% of your activities will account for 80% of your results. This rule is named after its founder, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who noticed in the early 20th century that the richest 20% of Italy’s population controlled over 80% of the country’s total wealth. How can you apply this to your work process and productivity? Start by asking yourself, “Is this task in the top 20% of my activities, or is it in the common 80%?” Don’t focus on low-value tasks; put your energy toward the high-value tasks first. Those were my biggest takeaways from Brian Tracy’s book, “Time Management.” I highly recommend it for anyone who’s interested in making the most of their time!
Robert Burns
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” –Joshua 1:8 “When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” –Acts 3:26 HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?
EASY OUT
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WE MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR AREAS BEAUTIFUL
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How Discomfort Can Lead to Success Time Management Tips From Brian Tracy Teddy’s Paw-spective: A Puppy and Pro Athlete The Good News Hear From Our Clients Take a Break! 3 Fun Earth Day Projects for Families
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SPROUT YOUR KIDS’ IMAGINATION With 3 Fun Earth Day Projects
With spring officially underway, April showers startingto bring May flowers, and Earth Day on April 22, now is a great time for outdoor family activities.
This easy project just requires rinsed eggshell halves, some lightly moistened potting soil, and seeds of your choosing. Note
One for the Birds Making a pine cone bird feeder is a fun and inexpensive project. In addition to creating and hanging your bird feeder, you’ll get hoursof extra entertainment from watching the birds it will attract to your yard. If your kids are older, take photos of the birds or note their colors and features and look them up in a field guide or online. This craft just requires a pine cone (the bigger the better), peanut butter, and some twine or string. Top the peanut butter with “sprinkles” of mixed birdseed or small pieces of nuts and fruit to appeal to even more birds. For full instructions, visit TheSpruce.com and search “pine cone bird feeder.” An Egg-cellent Planter Save those eggshells from breakfast (and the paper carton, too!) and use them to start a garden! Your little ones will enjoy planting some seeds, watering them, and watching them sprout and grow into something new. When the sprouts are big enough and it’s warm enough outside, you can plant the shell and carton directly into the ground!
that smaller seeds, like those for herbs, lettuces, peppers, or tomatoes, work best for this project. For full instructions, visit GardenBetty.com and search “starting seeds in eggshells.” Stick With Magic Nature is a magical place. Many kids know this instinctively and often point out things adults take for granted or overlook, like bright-colored leaves, fun-shaped rocks, and acorn “hats.” Making a nature wand is a great way to let your kids explore their environment, whether that’s in your backyard, on a neighborhood walk, or in your favorite park. Let their imaginations run wild with what their magic wand can do! This simple project starts with a stick and masking tape. Your kids add all the extra flair by hunting for natural treasures and sticking them onto their wand. Complete instructions can be found at LaughingKidsLearn.com/ nature-wands-outdoor-play .
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