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JUNE 2023
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BEYOND THE COLLECTIBLES HOW MY CHILDHOOD OBSESSION CULTIVATED SUCCESS
The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus.
In 1989, I went to visit my grandmother in Maui for the summer, and while there, she took me to see the new “Batman” movie with Michael Keaton. For whatever reason, I LOVED this movie — so much so that it began what would become my adolescent passion for collectibles. As a teenager, I collected Batman comic books, action figures, and other collectible items from the movie too. All the money I made as a 12-year-old mowing lawns and doing yardwork around the neighborhood went to funding my collection and buying the next toy. And the thing is that I never really played with these collectibles. Instead, I found satisfaction in lining them up, placing them in my binder, or dusting them off. For me, it was more about the visual sense of accomplishment in what I had been working so hard for. I’ll also be the first to admit that I do have a bit of an obsessive personality, and much of this collectible phase of my life was largely a product of that. In fact, I had lunch with the preacher from my church recently, and we talked about how this obsessive personality trait can come as both a blessing and a curse. Those of us with this trait can easily focus on details and sharpen our skills by repeatedly revisiting a certain activity or behavior.
out the building design and mapping where displays or physical features in my store would be inside the layout. The obsession had gone beyond Batman and the toys themselves and became something more creative, which is a blessing looking back on it today since so much of what I do now involves this exact process. But I’ve learned that while that ability to dive deep into a task or idea is beneficial in some ways, if I don’t turn that off, it can consume nearly all of my time and energy. This is the downfall. Over time, I’ve learned that in order to turn off this tendency, I need to step away from something completely, whether it’s by allowing myself a specific time frame to enter that headspace or learning to move on from something, knowing I’ll have the opportunity to come back and revise it later. For me, the best part of my collectible obsession was the sense of accomplishment it brought me, which we all certainly feel after completing any task that has taken up so much of our time and mental real estate. The obsession itself was ultimately born of the desire to feel productive and work toward something with purpose, which many of us can relate to now, even as adults. Bruce Lee once said, “The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus,” and I feel that’s what my childhood collectible obsession helped foster in me — the laser-like focus that has sharpened my skills as a creative individual and entrepreneur.
Today, I see toys doing the same thing for my children. They each have their respective mediums (dolls for Juliet, horse figurines for Ella, and LEGOs for Gavin), but the creative spirit and simple enjoyment of devoting their time to something is clear. I encourage you to look back and remember your favorite toy or pastime as a child and reflect on how it may have shaped you today. You may be surprised to find that the thing you loved as a child helped cultivate the qualities that make you successful today.
During my collectible phase, I often dreamed of owning a collectible store. I spent hours sketching
Robert Burns
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THE WASH STATION CREATION GAVIN’S GUYS I came up with the plans myself, and my dad took me to the hardware store to buy the materials I needed, like pipes and a pipe splitter. When we got back to the farm, it was time for me to get to work. The first order of business was finding where the main waterline was so I could use some of that water at my station. I’ll admit, my dad did help me find the waterline, but once I knew where it was, I dug all the trenches myself. I decided where to put our wash station and dug from the main waterline to where I would be working. Then, we shut the water off so I could attach the pipe splitter my dad and I bought to the main waterline and connect all of my pipes to it. If you’re wondering how a 9-year-old like me can do something like this, I spend a lot of time watching my dad and the guys adjust the waterlines on the farm. I hate to sit still, so whenever they’re out working, I’m right there with them! Once I connected my pipes, I built my station, which was pretty easy since I had planned it beforehand. Plus, you don’t need much to wash your hands — just some water and soap! We turned the water back on, and my creation was complete! As many of you may know from previous newsletters, I’m a big reader. I love reading books that help improve my business, relationships, and just life in general. “The Checklist Manifesto” by Atul Gawande does that and more. Atul Gawande is a surgeon who begins the book detailing some of his experiences saving, or trying to save, lives. However, he attributes both his successes and failures to the same thing: a checklist. When surgeries go well, it was sticking to his checklist that helped him stay on track. When surgeries fail, it is often due to a forgotten step that proved integral to the operation. According to Gawande, a person can make two types of mistakes: one because they simply don’t have enough information and another because they fail to use what they already know. It’s easy for a surgeon, pilot, or business owner to forget a step in their daily procedures due to stress, fatigue, anxiety, or anything else. That’s why Gawande says that no matter how much of an expert you are in your field, you should use checklists to ensure whatever you’re doing results in the best outcome. Now, my guys and I can wash our hands right near where we’re working without wasting time walking to a bathroom. I’m really proud of my creation, and I can’t wait to tell you what I build next time!
Hi everyone, it’s Gavin! I’ve been SUPER busy since the last time we talked, and I’ve also become a bit of an engineer.
You see, my guys and I have potted over 20,000 plants over the past few weeks. Yep, you read that right! And if you’ve potted a plant before, you probably know that by the time you’re done, your hands are really dirty. You have to really scrub your hands to get them completely clean. On the farm, my guys and I would have to walk all the way to a bathroom or hose to wash our hands, which can get annoying when you’re planting as much as we are. So, I decided to build a wash station for us to use!
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After reading this book, what really left an impression on me was that even with our incredible technological advancements, accidents still happen due to something as simple as a missed measure. It also really brings to my attention how fatal complacency can be to success. When you think you know it all, you begin to make mistakes. It’s fascinating that something so simple as a list we read and check off can save a human life, a project, or a business — but it works. I’ve also been a huge proponent of lists and use them daily. Many business owners or professionals may think they don’t need checklists because they know their job or business better than anyone. But, making a list doesn’t mean you don’t know what to do; it just provides a road map to keep you on track. So if you’re looking for ways to “get things right,” as Gawande says, I highly recommend reading “The Checklist Manifesto,” no matter what job you have or what your life is like. You can find the book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and at other popular booksellers.
Robert — I just wanted to shoot you a quick note with a sincere THANK YOU for the work that you and your team did on our property. In our eyes, you all
went above and beyond our expectations. The dedication of your team by working in the nasty weather and being meticulous as they were was incredible. Thank you again for the great work you and your team did — I will certainly be recommending your group to all of my contacts and will definitely be in touch for future projects.” – Dave Evans
Robert Burns
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” -Luke 6:27-28 “Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.” -Psalm 119:2 “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.” -Leviticus 26:3-4 HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS?
EASY OUT
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A Blessing and a Curse
The Book You Need to Reduce Mistakes Gavin’s Guys: The Wash Station Creation The Good News Hear From Our Clients Take a Break!
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Seashore Adventures Await
MASTER THE WAVES
OCEAN ACTIVITIES THE ENTIRE FAMILY WILL LOVE
Summer has finally arrived, and many of us will be going on weeklong excursions to the coast to get some much-needed rest and relaxation by the beach. For years, the beach has been one of the most popular summertime destinations for Americans, with millions of us flocking to the coast every year. If you’re planning to hit the sand this summer, you should prepare some exciting activities, so you and your family or travel partners can create memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few oceanside activities you’ll want to check out on your vacation. Explore through snorkeling. Many people want to try scuba diving while on vacation but don’t have the time, training, and finances required to go on an excursion. That being said, you can get pretty close to the scuba-diving experience by snorkeling. Using a snorkel in the ocean, especially in flat water, is a great way to explore the underwater world. You’ll be able to spot fish, crustaceans, and other sea life without
needing extensive training. Those who regularly go snorkeling see it as a form of therapy that helps them relieve stress and anxiety. Feeling more relaxed and at peace will help make your vacation feel even more magical. Grab a board. If you want to experience something slightly more intense, you can try some of the many ocean activities involving a board. First-time ocean-goers will love using a boogie board or bodyboard to ride the waves into shore. Those who are more experienced may enjoy surfing for the first time or renting a standing paddleboard. Many beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts have paddleboard rentals or surfing lessons. Be on the lookout at your vacation destination if you want to take advantage of these exciting activities. Tour the ocean. You may want to get away from the beach and experience open waters beyond the shore. If that’s the case, you’ll want to see if your vacation
destination offers glass- bottom boat or submarine tours. Some beaches even have whale-watching adventures, which provide an excellent opportunity to see some of nature’s largest creatures in their natural habitat.
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