One of my biggest fears is a fear that paralyzes me, holding me back from reaching my potential. It keeps me in a place of stagnation, comfortably keeping me where I am. This fear is dangerous, keeping me in a place where I no longer grow, I no longer move forward, and a place where I no longer strive for excellence. This fear is the realization of knowing I am capable of accomplishing anything in this world. It is the fear of success.
​
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.”
- Marianne Williamson

Now go out and shine your light! Step out on your adventure and explore what is possible within yourself. Don’t let the worries of the world hold you back. Take action today to start living the example you want to see in the world tomorrow. Use your presence to help others live out their example to help transform the world!

Be the Example!

Carl

This is where hard work begins; on the farm!

On Christmas day, my family put me to work on our family farm. There are no breaks when it comes to working on the farm and the animals always come first.

Since I was a child, I was raised to work hard and always put others first. Just like always putting animals first on the farm, leadership is very much the same. It requires always putting others first in service to the goals that they are trying to accomplish, not our own agenda.

I was also taught to be friends with everyone and to love others no matter their background. As leaders, it is important to do the same. It is important to treat the low, middle, and upper class just as you would anyone else. It is important to have empathy and love for others and realize that their background may not be similar to yours. It is not that one way of leading is right or wrong, it is just that there is simply a different way of doing things.

So I encourage you all to lead from who you truly are and what made you who you are today. You have a unique way of leading, and now is your time to start being the example you want to see in the world!

I would love for each of you and your teams in business to get involved in your leadership development with Exemplify! We have many services that will help you and your team reach your highest potential. Visit our services page at www.exemplifyleadership.com/services to learn more about how you can get involved in the Exemplify community!

Be the Example!
​
Carl

Spending time with my little with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of my favorite things to do. This past weekend, Lavarie and I went to Wichita Sports Forum's trampoline park and played some slam ball, practiced our flips, and got swallowed by the foam pit monster. I have to say that I am way out of shape compared to when I was Lavarie's age at 12 years old. I was exhausted and could not keep up!

I am thankful I have the opportunity to lead a positive example in the community where kids might not have had the same opportunity or upbringing as my own. Lavarie inspires me to be humble, pursue my passions, and he motivates me to be a great father to my future children. We can learn so much from all generations as long as we keep our hearts and our minds open to change.
​
In the short amount of time we have had to spend together, he has taught me more than I could have imagined. I've realized that sometimes all we need is to be present. We need to be fully present with people in our personal and professional lives, showing that we care. We need to be there for our families and friends through the good times and bad; expressing unconditional love. We need to live a positive example for others to help them find themselves, motivating them to live to their full potential. There is no doubt in my mind that Lavarie is going to accomplish great things when he gets older. I'm excited to be there for his journey!

​Gratitude has become a lost virtue of America today. As the United States and the world has become more globalized and consumer driven, we have lost the ability to be thankful for the simple things in our lives, the parts of our lives that give us life, happiness, fulfillment, and motivation to improve on each day. Where is our world going? What has made people less thankful for what they have? I will tell you one thing, and that one thing is this: IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY. We are all able to develop an attitude of gratitude, the ability to be thankful for everything we have in our lives. I want to help you become the best version of yourself that you can possibly be! To do that, we must all develop the practice of gratitude in our lives. Want to find out how you can live a happier, more fulfilled, motivated life that positively influences those around you? Here are the 5 essential practices you need to start implementing into your life today.

1. Identify the positives in your life
In your life today, what are you thankful for? Maybe it’s your family. Perhaps it is how far you have come in your career. It could be the amount you have traveled across the country or even across the world to be able to see what many others have never had the chance to experience. Make sure to identify the experiences, material things, and relationships that you have been fortunate enough to have had at this point in time in your life. Write these down, speak them aloud, internalize them, and have them become a part of you.

2. Identify the negatives
Now you may be thinking, why in the world would I want to identify the negatives to live a happier, more productive, thankful life? The thing is, we must all look at the whole picture of who we are. We must know the negatives to identify the positives in our life. Do you know what is great about the negatives? They are any opportunity to learn and grow! Failure and falling down only gets us that much closer to success. The key is to get back up and rise again. Never give up and keep persisting to your end goal. You can do this!

3. Communicate with others
We all need each other! Humans are made to interact in community with other humans. When we are together, we become whole. I challenge you to express to your friends and family what you are thankful for. Let someone know how grateful you are of the world you get to live in. Now when you do this, how are they responding to your thankfulness? How are you responding to expressing your thankfulness out loud so those around you can hear? Practice this daily! Show the world what makes you the exceptionally unique individual that you are.

4. Live to your passion
What gets you up and going for the day? What sets you apart from everyone you know? When you live to what you truly enjoy doing every day, you start to see the good things pop up in your life. It’s the habit of searching for the good in everything that you do that gives you an attitude of gratitude. In the words of the great Winston Churchill, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Living to our passions gets us in the habit of surrounding ourselves with the good in our lives, giving us the opportunity to be thankful for what we have. What are you passionate about?

5. Be present
What are you going to focus on today that is going to get you to a better tomorrow? We are only in control of the here and now. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. We can see the future, but we can start taking action today, to start setting up the future we want for tomorrow. Practicing being present in the moment gives you the realization that you really do have a pretty awesome life. What good things are happening in your life? When identifying these things, make sure to keep it simple. Did you wake up today? Have you been able to feed yourself throughout the day? Were you able to spend time with the people you care about? You and I have a lot to be grateful for! All we have to do is notice it in our present state.

Life is as good as we make it. You have the ability right now to be grateful for the simple things in life. Give yourself the chance to look for the good in yourself and the good in others. Give yourself the happiness of knowing that you have accomplished so much more than you could have ever imagined up to this point. We are all in desperate need of an attitude of gratitude. I understand that life is tough at times, there are times that we just can not deal with our current situation. It is also okay to have those feelings of being defeated, but I will tell you this: never in your life, for one second, give up on yourself! Always look for the good in yourself and others! Always be thankful for everything you have been given. We all have so much to be thankful for!

With Thankfulness,

Carl

​Do you want to know what it takes to be a leader? How can you develop yourself to become the leader that people look to in times of crisis? I have come up with what I have found to be the most influential aspects of a leader; qualities that every leader must develop within themselves to make a positive impact. Developing these qualities will not only change your life, but they will greatly influence those around you. You can not take people where you have not yet gone. Develop these qualities in yourself and unleash the leader within.  

Integrity

All leaders must have integrity! Integrity means that you follow through with everything you say you are going to do. Your words line up with your actions. How do you feel when someone does not follow through with their promises? It does not feel good, does it? With all that you do, make sure to always keep your word. Be honest, be loyal, and commit to what you say you will do, and you will find that others will start to respect you.

Humility

As stated by Rick Warren, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others.” As leaders it is not about us anymore, it is about raising others above ourselves. Giving all the credit to those we lead. It’s about admitting our faults, showing others that we are not perfect, and letting those know that we make mistakes every day just like everyone else. Humility is essential in connecting with others.

Service-minded

“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The author of this quote, John Maxwell, knows that it is not about leaders boasting about their accomplishments and accolades, but it is actually about giving our all to others. It is about serving others with a caring and kind heart. We must first touch a heart before we ask for a hand. As a leader, in all that you do, make sure to focus on helping others find the potential within them, before serving your own needs.

Empathy

Empathy is the act of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It is about understanding the thoughts and feelings of another. When someone is sad, are you recognizing their sadness? When someone is happy, are you celebrating their happiness, their successes? Empathy requires us to get out of our minds, thoughts, and opinions and step into another’s perspective. How are you exemplifying empathy to others?

Vision

Where are you going on your leadership journey? Is it clearly defined? A leader must know where they are going for others to follow. It is essential to have direction, a purpose for action. Followers need to know that their leader can confidently say they know where they are going and that they can help others get them there. Hellen Keller puts it wisely, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” We may be able to see, but do we know where we are going and why we are going there? Do you have direction in those that you lead?

Communication

Every leader must be able to communicate effectively! When communicating, are you communicating in a way that others can understand you? Are you keeping it simple to understand? When communicating it must go both ways. To do this, you must first seek to understand before being understood. How do you do this? Ask questions! What questions are you asking those you lead to understand where they are coming from?

Positivity

​When times become hard, leaders must become a light to others. They must show hope and encourage those they lead to keep pushing forward. Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial in encouraging those you lead. Life is not always easy. A leader must encourage others that there is a brighter future ahead, a light at the end of the tunnel. Show others hope! Be positive!

Inspiration

Inspiration comes from within. As a leader, how are you developing those you lead to find the potential within themselves? Leaders must get others to act. If you are a leader and you are just maintaining the status quo, are you even leading? Inspiration creates action and action creates change. What type of positive change are you inspiring in others?

Passion

​Being passionate is about being all-in. Passion gives you life, energy, and purpose to fulfill your destiny. In everything that you do, are you living to your passions? While living out your passions, people should be able to recognize that you are doing what you love. Passion clearly shows others that you lead by example in everything that you do. Passion is doing what makes you happy. Have you found out what you are passionate about? To become successful as a leader, true success lies within your passion.

Authenticity

Are you living out your true, raw, unapologetically true self? Are you being completely honest with who you are and what makes you exceptionally unique? To be authentic means to live out who you truly are as a leader. It’s about living to your strengths and what makes you the best leader that you can be. Kurt Cobain put it bluntly, “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” Be yourself! You are destined for greatness!

Now is your time! What are you going to do to positively influence those around you? Live out these qualities and you will see your leadership capabilities grow beyond measure. For leaders to be great, we must first start with ourselves. Continually grow and always strive to be the positive change you want to see in the world!

Your coach,

Carl

Do you ever feel defeated when trying to accomplish a goal? What gets you to take action to achieve what you set out to accomplish? We may have the greatest intentions in the world to complete a goal or task, however, it takes more than just good intentions to complete what we set out to accomplish. Achieving your goals can be difficult, but if you found a way to make accomplishing your goals easier, would you do it? Are you ready to get what you have always wanted? Here are the 5 things you must do to set up your environment for success.  

1. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

As stated by motivational speaker Jim Rohn, “You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Our environment shapes our way of being, it develops our beliefs, our values, our path in life. When I was growing up, I was shaped by the leaders of my family, the outdoors, working hard labor out on the farm, and I was surrounded by those that were strong in their faith. All these interactions with the people I became closest to shaped me to become who I am today. They have pushed me to pursue a degree in conservation biology as well as my Master of Business Administration, they have pushed me to start a leadership development business due to their positive example, and they have encouraged me to remain faithful to my God that I lovingly serve. When you think of the person you would like to become, who does that person look like? Who are you surrounding yourself with to help you get there? Are they positively influencing your life?

2. Gather your resources.

​Anything you set out to accomplish is going to require having the right materials and resources in place to accomplish your goal. Those resources might be money, education, the right people, equipment, technology, or a system that helps you get to where you need to be. Are these resources easily accessible for you? Do you have everything you need in place to reach your goal? What is it going to take? Gather what you need and take the next step.

3. Minimize distractions.

In our world today, it is far too easy to get distracted by the simplest of things. Maybe you have a mess in your house, your friends want you to come out for the night to party, your kids are seeking your attention, or maybe you are being sucked into the social media rabbit hole. I know for me social media has become my most detrimental habit that keeps pulling me back in. What I have found to be most useful is to make it hard for these distractions to come into your life. Put your phone in the other room, set time aside to be with your kids, make progress towards your goals when you know you will not be tempted to commit to things that do not aid in your development. Make it simple to act on your goals and difficult to be tempted into distraction. The way you set up your environment will ultimately determine your level of success.
 
4. Write it down.

​According to psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, at the Dominican University in California, “You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down,” as stated in his study of nearly 270 participants. When we write what we think about, it starts to become a part of us. If we continually feed our minds with positive information that aids in our growth, we will draw closer and closer to our desires. We are a product of our thoughts, but what good is thinking without action? Writing your thoughts down on a piece of paper, on your phone, or on your computer will begin to solidify your beliefs into action. What action do you seek to create? Start today!

5. Make your goal public.

“Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone. Look below the surface and you will find that all seemingly solo acts are really team efforts.” John Maxwell put it best when he stated the above quote communicating that anything of significance is never achieved by one individual acting alone. When we make our goals public, we are then held accountable for our words and following through with them in action. When we communicate what we think about to those that we care about, we begin to see belief turn into action. Be brave in sharing your dreams and aspirations, you will soon find out that they will become a part of you, and others will too.

​Now that you have the ideas and tools for setting up your environment for success, what example will you lead? Now is the time for you to stop procrastinating on what you know you need to do. Now is the time to reach your full potential. This is the time where you become your true, authentic self, that lives a life of positive change for those around you. You are capable of greatness, you have the perseverance to do what it takes, you are the architect of your own environment! What will you choose?

With encouragement,

Carl

Conservation is needed now more than ever. You are currently living in the most pivotal time for preserving our natural resources. After this past Earth Day, it is critical to reflect and take action on what we are all inseparable of, what we rely on to survive, what gives us life…. our Earth.
​
The Earth is seeing a rapid decline in our Earth’s biodiversity. It is estimated we are currently experiencing 100 -1000 times the rate of extinction compared to the natural extinction rate.  According to the United Nations (UN), since 1970 the global human population has more than doubled (from 3.7 to 7.9 billion). Additionally, the report states, “Since 1970, trends in agricultural production, fish harvest, bioenergy production and harvest of materials have increased in response to population growth and the rising demand in technological development. Many other key indicators of nature’s contributions to people however, such as soil organic carbon and pollinator diversity, have declined, indicating that gains in material contributions are often not sustainable.” So, I ask you this; what happens when we reach the limit of humans that can live on this planet? Do we have alternatives to losing everything we rely on to survive? Earth is our home place; we were born to live on this planet and this planet only.

How many of you rely on food to survive? What about using natural materials for your business? When it comes to staying healthy, what gives you the best chance for living a long, fulfilled life? The thing is that we all rely on natural resources everyday to get through our work, satisfy our hunger, transport us from one place to the next, and build structures that we call home. So why do we feel so divided as a nation? What makes us feel like we must decide from one side or the other on political topics such as climate? The climate and conservation movements are not about politics, it is about human survival. This is of high importance to the human population because it affects all of us in a dramatic way. We all rely on our Earth to survive. Each part of our natural world is interconnected and when one piece gets harmed, several negative consequences result. The special part about living on this Earth is that none of us would exist without it. We desperately need all that this planet has to offer. The great thing about our current situation is this; you have the opportunity to make a difference!

It is clear that the negative effects on our climate exist. The science is there, and it is a proven fact that over hundreds of years we have seen negative effects to the living and non-living resources we most desperately need. Even dating back to the Bible, it states that in Jeremiah 2:7, NIV version (God speaking to his people in Israel), “I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.” Christianity according to the Bible values the land and its natural resources. Science, religion, and all the people on Earth have proven that there are negative consequences for our actions in disturbing and disrespecting our land. Now how do we overcome this issue? What we need is leadership! We need each and every one of you to grab hold of your opportunity to make a positive change in our climate, our food system, and for the well-being of our families and friends. You have the opportunity right now to make a change. You can reduce your consumption; being happy and content with what you already possess. You can reuse and recycle the materials that you do purchase to create less harm to our Earth. You have the ability to be the positive example we need to see to turn our world around and help save our planet.

As a conservationist, I write to you and the rest of the Exemplify community to help save our planet! We all have the ability to make a positive change to help enhance the lives of others as well as other living creatures that inhabit this planet. You have the ability to make a difference! You have the opportunity to transform your world! Be the positive example that you wish to see in the world!
With authenticity,
Carl

Your job may be hurting you more than you know. Do you genuinely enjoy your work? Are you eagerly finding ways to improve? Do you have a fire that burns inside you that you simply cannot put out? If you answered no to any of these questions, you may need to reassess where you currently are in your life’s work. You see, if we are not truly living to our passions, we may be hurting ourselves and others along the way. When a leader’s words, emotions, and actions do not align, we as followers feel like we are dealing with a fraud, someone living to a false reality. We begin to pull back, not fully trusting our leader and their intentions to lead the team. Now, what happens when we see a leader passionately pursuing their genuine, authentic calling? It becomes contagious! We start to believe that anything is possible. As leaders, we must be genuine in all that we do, instilling in our people an unwavering belief that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Are you ready to be called to your life’s work? Are you committed to finding yourself? Now is the time! Here are the 5 steps you can start taking today to help find your calling.

Be honest with yourself
​
As stated by one of the greatest rock musicians of all time, Kurt Cobain once said “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”  It is a complete waste of time to not live to who you were meant to become. You were meant to become great! If we lie to ourselves, we are only delaying our truth. The truth will always prevail, why not face it head-on? Take hold of it, own it with all that you are! Be bold and face reality! Nelson Mandela, one of South Africa’s greatest leaders said, “courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Triumph over your fears and insecurities! Be yourself!

Get out of your comfort zone; experience new things

In my life, I have had the privilege of experiencing many new opportunities that have led me to finding my true self. I have been able to travel to China, Panama, and 5 countries within Central Europe. I have built hiking trails in the remote areas of Colorado’s mountains, studied Mountain Lions, worked in sustainable agriculture, golf course management, and even had one of the most interesting summers of my life getting the chance to sell books door-to-door halfway across the United States. I never would have found myself if I was not willing to experience new things and get out of my comfort zone. This has allowed me to experience the good and bad sides of life. It has taken me on an emotional roller coaster, guiding me through the ups and downs along the way. So, I ask you this, what are you doing to get out of your comfort zone?

Ask yourself the tough questions

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” These words ring true in Matthew 7:7 from the bible 2,000 years ago as much then, as they do now. It all starts with us asking ourselves difficult questions. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself today to help get you closer to your calling:

1. What would you do, knowing that it would cost you everything?
2. What brings you joy?
3. What is holding you back from where you currently are?
4. What is important to you?
5. What activities do you tend to avoid at all costs?
6. What is one skill you can do better than most others?

Reflect on feelings from the past

Understanding our emotions in the circumstances and experiences we put ourselves in gives us a grasp of who we are. It helps us realize the decisions we make, the joy we have experienced, the sadness we have had to endure.  As you reflect, what made you feel that way at that moment? What was the environment around you like? Identifying our emotions help us discover our truth, calling us to live authentically. Take the time to reflect today! Make it a habit!

Find where you belong

One of humanity's greatest desires is to find where we belong; to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. You belong to a higher purpose; a calling. This calling is found deep within you, in your most inner self. Will you do what it takes to find yourself? Will you answer the call?
 
In everything that you do, be your most genuine, authentic self! Face your truth and be honest with all that you are. Once we ask ourselves the deep questions, we begin to uncover where we belong; what we were meant for. Do yourself and others the favor and start answering your call! We need you now more than ever!

Genuinely,

Carl

​Do you ever feel defeated when trying to accomplish a goal? What gets you to take action to achieve what you set out to accomplish? We may have the greatest intentions in the world to complete a goal or task, however, it takes more than just good intentions to complete what we set out to accomplish. Achieving your goals can be difficult, but if you found a way to make accomplishing your goals easier, would you do it? Are you ready to get what you have always wanted? Here are the 5 things you must do to set up your environment for success.  

1. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

As stated by motivational speaker Jim Rohn, “You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Our environment shapes our way of being, it develops our beliefs, our values, our path in life. When I was growing up, I was shaped by the leaders of my family, the outdoors, working hard labor out on the farm, and I was surrounded by those that were strong in their faith. All these interactions with the people I became closest to shaped me to become who I am today. They have pushed me to pursue a degree in conservation biology as well as my Master of Business Administration, they have pushed me to start a leadership development business due to their positive example, and they have encouraged me to remain faithful to my God that I lovingly serve. When you think of the person you would like to become, who does that person look like? Who are you surrounding yourself with to help you get there? Are they positively influencing your life?

2. Gather your resources.

​Anything you set out to accomplish is going to require having the right materials and resources in place to accomplish your goal. Those resources might be money, education, the right people, equipment, technology, or a system that helps you get to where you need to be. Are these resources easily accessible for you? Do you have everything you need in place to reach your goal? What is it going to take? Gather what you need and take the next step.

3. Minimize distractions.

In our world today, it is far too easy to get distracted by the simplest of things. Maybe you have a mess in your house, your friends want you to come out for the night to party, your kids are seeking your attention, or maybe you are being sucked into the social media rabbit hole. I know for me social media has become my most detrimental habit that keeps pulling me back in. What I have found to be most useful is to make it hard for these distractions to come into your life. Put your phone in the other room, set time aside to be with your kids, make progress towards your goals when you know you will not be tempted to commit to things that do not aid in your development. Make it simple to act on your goals and difficult to be tempted into distraction. The way you set up your environment will ultimately determine your level of success.
 
4. Write it down.

​According to psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, at the Dominican University in California, “You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down,” as stated in his study of nearly 270 participants. When we write what we think about, it starts to become a part of us. If we continually feed our minds with positive information that aids in our growth, we will draw closer and closer to our desires. We are a product of our thoughts, but what good is thinking without action? Writing your thoughts down on a piece of paper, on your phone, or on your computer will begin to solidify your beliefs into action. What action do you seek to create? Start today!

5. Make your goal public.

“Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone. Look below the surface and you will find that all seemingly solo acts are really team efforts.” John Maxwell put it best when he stated the above quote communicating that anything of significance is never achieved by one individual acting alone. When we make our goals public, we are then held accountable for our words and following through with them in action. When we communicate what we think about to those that we care about, we begin to see belief turn into action. Be brave in sharing your dreams and aspirations, you will soon find out that they will become a part of you, and others will too.

​Now that you have the ideas and tools for setting up your environment for success, what example will you lead? Now is the time for you to stop procrastinating on what you know you need to do. Now is the time to reach your full potential. This is the time where you become your true, authentic self, that lives a life of positive change for those around you. You are capable of greatness, you have the perseverance to do what it takes, you are the architect of your own environment! What will you choose?

With encouragement,

Carl