Monday Morning Mojo

Self-talk is the most powerful conversation most of us ever have; we are the stories we tell ourselves. Regardless of whether it's positive, negative, true, or false, if you hear a story long enough, it might actually become true. This week, Phil challenges us to be hypersensitive to the stories we tell ourselves. Listen in to hear how to adjust your self-talk to make it impactful. Resources: Jim...

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau Research shows it is common for multiple people to observe a situation and recount completely different versions of the same event.  Basically, our brain processes what our eyes see and constructs a creative narrative of what's occurring. The brain prefers to work on autopilot and be efficient. Two examples of this...

A nudge is simply a push you give or get regarding some desired goal or action. It's usually subtle, gentle, and encouraging. In this episode, Phil shares his personal experience with a stranger turned friend giving him nudges. Time will pass regardless of our actions, productivity, or lack thereof. Don't keep waiting. Who can you nudge today? Resources: Please send Comments, Questions, and Feedba...

Resources: Peloton:  https://www.onepeloton.com/ Please send Comments, Questions, and Feedback to:  mojo@cannonfinancial.com Please send First Friday Feedback Submissions to:  mojo@cannonfinancial.com

In this episode, Phil challenges us all to slow down. He shares song lyrics and a quote that embrace this message. Sometimes we get too busy planning for the future, or we find ourselves stuck in the present wishing for something different. We have control over our outlook; make the most of today! Resources: Trace Adkins, 'You're Going to Miss This':  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBDN8yWyNYU Th...

In this episode, Phil shares six simple pleasures of the summers of his youth. He challenges us to slow down and enjoy the things that bring back sweet memories and smiles from simpler times. Share a simple pleasure or two with Phil at  pbuchanan@cannonfinancial.com . But most importantly, take the time to recognize and enjoy those simple pleasures. Life is short. Resources Please send Comments, Q...

Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson released the song, "Stronger," in 2011. The theme of the song applies to many aspects of life, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."   Most successful people are the most persistent people. Listen in as Phil builds on a theme from a previous episode and encourages us to work on things that might not come naturally to us.  Resources Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger"...

"You can be a world champion surfer like Laird Hamilton but if there are no waves, you can't surf." In this episode, Phil shares a conversation he had with a CEO in the industry. The pandemic has had an impact on businesses. For this CEO and his company, they pivoted and repositioned to where the waves were rolling. How has your company had to pivot it's 2020 business plans? Resources: Laird Hamil...

Mistakes are a part of life; they are inevitable. If we acknowledge them, we can learn and grow from them. However; if we hide from our mistakes, try to deny them, or let them define us, we are a victim of them. The best leaders and organizations embrace mistakes and foster growth from them. Listen in to learn more about this process as well as the four things Phil encourages all of us to do when...

The arts, sports, work, leisure and recreation are all key components to a life well lived. Like most things, the 2020 baseball season has been impacted by the pandemic. The history and traditions of baseball is an American institution, and while the game looks a lot different this season, baseball is operating in the "now normal," as Phil calls it. In this episode, Phil encourages you to be prude...

Life deals all of us adversity; we can't avoid it, but we can manage through it. Some handle adversity better than others. What do they do differently? In this episode, Phil shares three resources that help answer this question. He also shares seven characteristics that are common in these individuals. Listen in to rank yourself on how well you face adversity. Resources: Patel, Deep. "10 Ways Succ...

In this episode, Phil focuses on an area often overlooked, relationships. Like an old pair of shoes, relationships need attention. Throwing away a relationship is easy; replacing one is hard. While mending one might require the most work, it can also be the most rewarding.  What relationship do you have that needs to be refurbished?  Resource:  Rago Brothers Shoe & Leather Repair, LLC:  https://ww...

Just because you are current doesn't mean you are proficient. One gets you in the gate; the other propels you forward. In this episode, Phil uses pilots, lawyers, and advisors to explain the important distinction between the two words. What steps are you and your colleges taking to raise your proficiency in every area of your practice? Listen in as Phil identifies what he believes to be a signific...

If someone had told you that 2020 would be a year of compounding and confusing issues that would bring extreme change, would you have believed them? Not likely. But here we are and many of these issues are somewhat out of our immediate control. When we lose control, we tend to do one of two things, neither of which are sensible. Listen in as we explore how to shift our thinking to overall wellness...

Recognize and reach out. It's not hard but can make a tremendous impact. When we take the time to genuinely celebrate others, we are being human. We are acting in other's best interest, not our own. In this episode, Phil reminds us to be mindful of key events in the lives of others. He encourages us to connect with each other authentically in these moments; it will deepen the relationship and bond...

People need to be inspired, not dejected. Optimism generates hope. In this episode, Phil shares what has been his "great sanity equalizer" throughout the quartine and the power of three words, "Don't Stop Believin.'" He leaves us with a challenge to be beacons of hope and optimism; don't stop believing. Resources: Peloton -  https://www.onepeloton.com/ Jonathon Cain, Journey keyboarist -  https://...

The key to success lies in action, not just observation. The best leaders are highly focused on not simply surviving but positioning their firms and practices to thrive; they are optimistic, positive minded, glass half-full individuals. So, step up and step forward. Seize the opportunity; it's go time! In this episode, Phil challenges each of us to focus on growth and prosperity; don't simply wait...

Famous words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt were appropriate in 1933 and are still appropriate today, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." In this episode, Phil shares a personal example of how he has not let fear stop him from accomplishing his goals. He encourages us to be safe but to get on with living. Life is meant to be lived! Resources: Franklin D. Roosevelt:  https://ww...

Many of us have done more video calls in the last two months than we did in all of last year. Whether you love them or despise them, video calls are invaluable to maintaining human connectivity, especially in the world today. We absorb so much with not only our ears but also our eyes. Our digital footprint has never been more important than it is today. Reach out if you want to talk through ideas...

Life changes daily, sometimes in small incremental ways while other times it changes suddenly, like it has as a result of COVID-19. It can be exhausting trying to fight change, but if we proactively adjust and adapt to it, overtime, "new" will feel "normal." In this episode, Phil challenges us to think about the adjustments we're making and plan to make in post-pandemic life. Resources: Bob Dylan,...

In this episode, Phil encourages us to seek greatness. He cautions us though that achieving it will be hard and sustaining it will be even harder. Whether you are striving for a great relationship, a great career, or to have a great day, you have to have a vision of what it will look like, and more importantly, you have to be willing to put in the work. Winning is our strategy and win we will. Go...

When to reopen. Like many issues that face the U.S. today, there are two hard sides and one in the middle. One can argue health is at the core of all three sides. In this episode, Phil reminds us that we all have personal agency. No matter the decision of others, we all have the ability to think critically, make informed decisions, and choose what's best for us as individuals. Resources: Please se...

In this episode, Phil expresses gratitude for advice he has received over the years.  Why now? Why this advice? Well, Phil wasn't necessarily sold on the decisions, but followed through anyway.  Listen in; you'll be glad you did. Resources: Gloria Gainer, "I Will Survive":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARt9HV9T0w8 The Weather Girls "It's Raining Men":   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5aZJBLA...

If leaders focus on what can be built going forward and not dwell in what's being lost or destroyed, we can all come out of this even better than we went in. In this episode, Phil challenges all of us to focus on building the future, create and believe in the vision about what can become. Have energy, faith, and most importantly, be optimistic. Resources: Tash Elwyn, President and CEO of Raymond J...

Our brains are hardwired for one of two responses in difficult situations: fight or flight.   In this episode, Phil challenges us to replace our fear with courage, compassion, and optimism.  He encourages us to choose focus on the things that matter most in your life during these times, and be safe. Resources: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is mor...