by Kerry Taylor
10 years ago I didn’t fully understand the journey I was about to embark on. Wow, did I just say 10 years? Yes, I did!! It’s been 10 years since I opened the doors to 212. Man, it has been a helluva journey with ups and downs, twists and turns, great experiences and huge let downs. I’ve learned a million lessons over the years through interactions with others, how they may have treated myself or others, and I would like to share with you 10 lessons from this 10 year journey.
#1- Face time and voice time should be the priority
In the current age we live in, it’s easy to just send a text or an email for conversation. So much so, most human interaction has fallen to the way side. People would prefer to discuss any and everything without ever hearing the other person’s voice or see their face. Take a minute and think about how you have most of your conversations. I have learned that too much can get misunderstood by allowing your text or email to deliver your tone and feelings. Trust me, life is easier and things become more clear when you pick up a phone or see someone face to face. Try it out.
#2- Your team is more than just a bunch of employees
I’ve heard many bosses talk to the importance of their employees and take the, “just do what I say when I say it”, or “work them to death” approach. I, personally, believe that we cannot take those approaches with our teams if they are important to us and our businesses. Remember, your team is an extension of you. If they are taken care of properly, and know they serve an important purpose to the mission, they want to be around to contribute to the mission. We can’t do it alone, act like it!
#3- Be present
Too often we can tend to dream about the future and dwell on the past so much that it affects our ability to truly be present with those around us and before we know it, the moment has passed and we will possibly fill our lives up with regrets. The key is to find the balance between reflecting and forecasting, because neither one of them are good to do around the clock. Sometimes things in our lives affect our ability to give our attention to where it needs to be. This can be a hard at times, but we must work at this to be the best person we can be. Our time and thoughts will better serve us when we stay present and in the moment.
#4- Being uncomfortable will show you what you have inside
I make myself uncomfortable at least 1-2 times a day. I mean, deciding to open 212 made me extremely uncomfortable. I’ve been on TV a few times, spoken in front of large groups of people, and I’ve just allowed myself to be put in positions I would naturally shy away from. Putting myself in those positions has allowed me to see what I can do and what level I can push to. For you, it may not be starting a business, but it may be pushing a little harder in your workout, talking to stranger, going on a crazy trip, or anything that gives you that weird feeling. You can’t just sit back all the time and be comfortable. Sometimes you just have to go for it because the reward you get from taking that chance is definitely worth it!
#5- Unplug…No really
This lesson comes fresh off vacation for me. I’ve always tried to tie time away into when I traveled for work, but never to truly get away. The problem with always trying to tie work into your vacation is that you can never truly unplug. Work is still going to be on your mind. To really refresh and reset, you have to really detach yourself completely and allow your body and mind to truly be away. I kept my laptop closed, and my phone screen time dropped by 80% the week I was on vacation, it was only taken out to take pictures. Your soul will thank you for it.
#6- You can learn from everywhere and everyone
I’m a lifelong learner. I’m always eager to consume information to make myself better, and I will look for it anywhere. I’ve learned so much from my daughter, my team, my mentors, and other businesses in other industries. Once you stop learning or trying to learn and feel like you know it all, then you’re dead in the water and can’t make any more progress in business or life. So keep feeding your brain!
#7- Listen more than you speak
As a business owner and a coach in this field, we are always anxious to solve someone’s problems for them. “I want to lose weight” a potential client will say, and before anything else is said, I’ve fired off 3 or 4 solutions to their problem to get them there. The more beneficial approach I’ve learned over the years is to just listen more, and ask more questions. When you do that you can truly find out what that person is really saying. Sometimes people will give you surface answers, but they tell you what they really want to say with their body language, tone and little gestures. The true problems and right solutions will show themselves when you truly listen to the person and don’t just spew out solutions. So keep quiet and listen!
#8- Mentors are where it’s at
The right mentors can give you years and years of experience without you having to go through the battles they had to fight. Even better yet, they will have your back and pick you up when you fall down. If you don’t have one in your life, find someone to help you succeed in the game of life.
#9- Treat everyone with respect
I don’t think this one needs any explaining at all. But, sometimes people tend to overlook what I think is normal- a good, firm handshake, a smile, a hello when you see someone, especially when they say hello to you, hold the door when someone is coming in or leaving. There are so many more examples, but these are a few things in life that should be common place but are not and fall to the way side, so much so that we get excited and reward people when someone does it.
#10- Be vulnerable
Being in a leadership role and a coach, there are perceptions that we have it all together, but in reality, I have all the same struggles as my team and my clients. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles with others, be human. It will actually allow you to help people on a deeper level. They they struggle, I struggle, but at the same time, if I can overcome hurdles, so can they! Think about it!
Thank you to everyone who has ventured into our doors over the last 10 years. It’s been an amazing 10 years! It has been a wonderful ride so far, and I can’t wait to see what the future hold for all of us! Cheers to more laughs, smiles, fun, sweat and turning it up 1 degree. Until next time live life 1 degree above the rest!
