FEBRUARY 11, 2022
GOOD ATTITUDE
I recently listened to a podcast from one of our valued insurance carriers. Acuity Insurance Company, home officed in Sheboygan, WI and home of Kohler bathroom fixtures. Annually, Acuity invites their agents into various locations around the country for a “State of the Company” presentation which is always packed with great information presented in a fun and uplifting manner. Yours truly has had the honor of attending these sessions along with playing golf at Whistling Straights with the CEO and Marketing Manager of Acuity, who are two of the most fun and intelligent leaders you will meet in our industry. They have taken Acuity to new heights and are great leaders by making their business FUN.
Due to Covid, this year’s meeting was held “Virtually” in Sheboygan with only company people in attendance. The featured speaker was Terry Bradshaw, a football hall of famer, television sports analyst and current co-host on Fox NFL Sunday. Since this podcast may not be able to get to all of you, I thought I would give you a synopsis of the enlightening presentation by Bradshaw. To put things into context, Bradshaw is three months older than this cowboy but has had great success on and off the playing field. He is a genuine, people loving person, who says he couldn’t even pass the ACT test to get into a major university. So, he ends up playing football for Louisiana Tech University until being drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers where the rest is history.
I can relate to Bradshaw as he graduated with a Physical Education Major and kept life simple by looking for exciting challenges in life. The title of his message; “Why not your Best?” reminded me, that, if you want to better yourself, learn to; know yourself; appreciate yourself and apply that learning towards a common goal. Think about the sacrifice, pain, competition, and adversity you will face, but don’t let it consume you. Dream, but strategize toward your goals and success.
One of the most important things Bradshaw learned in life is that it was ALWAYS about the team. Life will be full of disappointments but you must become mentally strong to overcome those adversities and make them opportunities. He reminds us that, the things you learned as a child, will be how you think going forward. But, we will not accomplish or achieve anything without the help of other people. (“I am nothing without people”) He urged us to think of yourself as special by starting each day off with a simple accomplishment. (“Make your Bed” by Admiral William McRaven was one of his favorite books) To summarize Bradshaw’s presentation, here are a few more of his comments and quotes:
- Victories that humble us are beautiful.
- It is not about me, it is about us.
- Don’t give up. Don’t quit.
- If you don’t have the answers, find someone who knows the answers.
- When you are successful or as we achieve things in our life, more is expected of you.
- Life is not about taking; It is about giving. The more we give the happier we are. The bigger the challenge, the happier we are.
- Share love with your family. Forgive each other and move on.
- Life is just FUN.
- Have a good team along your journey. (That plays into our Band of Brothers workbook on; “Who will you take with you.”)
While Bradshaw admitted he finally found his true love after three failed marriages, he continues to build on his faith, his family and his many careers as an entrepreneur, singer, and encourager.
Check out your own podcast on Bradshaw. He is an interestingly genuine person that loves people and not afraid to show WHO he is. (Committed, Accountable, Vulnerable and an Encourager) He might be bald, chubby, and old; but he is still a child of God who loves winning and encouraging other people.
Elevator Guy
Terry Bradshaw quotes: “I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid” “You can’t have “Yes” people around you.” “When you’ve got something to prove, there’s nothing greater than a challenge.” “Bad attitudes will ruin your team.”