The Advantage

 

The Advantage

Someone always has an advantage. If you do not know who, it is not you!

Think about it.

Happy Labor Day!

 

Happy Labor Day!

It’s not just about BBQ and the start of football season…

Labor Day: What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Positive Feedback

 

Positive Feedback

 Are you complimentary when you receive good service?  Do you provide a lift to someone by acknowledging their smile or positive outlook?  You might be surprised by the difference you can make in someone’s day, and their job performance, by simply being complimentary.  When a hotel clerk greets you with a smile and helpful attitude make sure they know you noticed.  When the dry cleaner’s employee is prompt and professional genuinely thank them.  When your dining wait staff is especially efficient give them a compliment and maybe even a larger tip.  People that serve others for a living are often mistreated, do your part to change that.  If they are doing an exceptional job go out of your way to let their boss know.  Positive feedback is a great motivator and can change someone’s day, maybe even their future! 

Pay someone a genuine compliment today and have a blessed week!

Wisdom

 

Wisdom

The MMM has often addressed wisdom and our (my) ongoing pursuit of it.  I have also written about how impatient we are as humans.  Impatience and wisdom don’t play well together.  Consider the following which addresses both points…

Wisdom is not proven by argument or debate.  Wisdom is proven over time.  Some people adamantly proclaim that their opinion is best.  Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their viewpoint, time is the best judge of their wisdom.  The result of a practice proves its validity, not how loudly it is promoted. ¹

Be wary of those who seek to have their own wisdom acknowledged before it can be proven over time.  Volume does not equate to wisdom.  Also, be patience with your own understanding of wisdom. 

Have a blessed week.

1 – Taken from: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Interesting

 

08.17.2026

Interesting

I like meeting genuinely interesting people, the kind that come by it naturally. It is fun to listen and learn from different viewpoints and life experiences. But some people just want to be interesting. They strive to command a room or be the life of the party. They often do not stop talking, likely about themselves. They may be fun for a few minutes at a party, but beyond that …

The people who chase being the most interesting person in the room are rarely the most useful. Being interesting entertains, being useful adds value. In the business world we have to add value. Solving problems and removing pain points adds value.

Being entertaining is great for happy hour, being useful is great for business.

Distractions

 

Distractions

“Modern life pulls at the mind from every direction. Even on quiet days, the volume of choices, cues, and opportunities for distraction is unlike anything evolution prepared us to handle.”                                                       

- Steven Kotler

The quote is a statement of fact. It does not offer a solution, nor suggest a method of coping. This is the world we live in. We are bombarded with information, opportunities, rabbit holes, and data. There is no answer nor solution. It is constant. This is not going to change. The key is to understand that, and deal with it. Know that if you let them, distractions will ruin progress and productivity. Seek quiet time and stillness, but know it is hard to find.

Should you care?

 Should you care?

Do you care about what people think about you? I think we all do to some degree. In certain aspects we probably should care, at least to some degree. But when we let that caring drive our decisions, or shape our outcomes, it can be dangerous. Caring what others think is one thing, letting it dictate to you is another. Consider this . . .

“You have to decide the degree to which you’re gonna care what other people think about you because that becomes your prison.”

                                                                        Dr. Gio Valiante

The Liars

 

The Liars

Great new song out by the Red Clay Strays, “Demons in Your Choir”.  Check it out. One of my favorite lines is . . .

“You know the devil keeps us company with all his bright and shiny things.”

Think about it. How true is that. But there is a higher meaning to the song as well. It is about the liars we all have in our lives. As the song title suggests, there are demons in places we don’t expect. Maybe the bigger point is that people and places are not always what they say they are!

Think about it and give a listen to “Demons in Your Choir”.

Be blessed.

Impact

 

Impact

Do you think about the impact you have on those around you? Do you seek ways to positively impact others? Are people whose lives cross paths with you better off for having met you? Challenging questions, no doubt.

What does impact really mean? What does it look like? How do you know if you have made an impact? There are lots of ways to serve and volunteer our time and talents. Great causes benefit from that. But we should want to make sure we are making an impact.

Not long ago, I heard a great statement about the concept of service and impact. I was at the graduation ceremony for Leadership Montgomery County, and a graduate included a very wise comment in her talk.  

           Service makes someone’s day better

           Impact makes someone’s life better

-       Rikki Wiggs, LMC Class of 2026

Go make an impact!

Character

 

Character

Our world is quick to praise people and accomplishments. Athletes are praised. Accomplished executives are praised. Leaders are praised. We praise talent, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what about character? Is it overlooked? Does it receive the same amount of attention and praise? I suggest not. Consider…

In a world quick to praise talent, don’t forget to honor character.

What are you telling yourself?

 

What are you telling yourself?

 

-       Your inner monologue determines your outer actions.

 

-       The most powerful story in the world is the one you tell yourself.

 

(I am not good at this)

 

We are halfway through 2026. Can you believe it? I really cannot. But it is a great time for a pulse check on where we stand for the year. What have we accomplished? What is left to be done? What should we change? Are there things we need to stop doing? Interesting questions for us personally and professionally, and critical for our businesses. Consider this …

 

“If you want something different, do and think something different.”

-       Chad Patterson

 

Change does not happen without action. There is still time to change 2026.

Who am I?

 

Who am I?

 

I lost my dad way too early,

Who am I to doubt it was part of God’s plan?

 

His mother lived to age 98, why couldn’t he?

Who am I to question God’s timing?

 

He loved my mom and all of us so dearly,

Who am I to ask God why we don’t have him anymore?

 

He was married for 50 years, had nine grandchildren and a great grandchild,

Who am I to not thank God for the time we did have?

 

He had wood to carve, golf to play and trips to take,

Who am I to ask God why not?

 

He was kind, loved and respected,

Who am I to ask God why him?

 

For his disease there were no more options,

Who am I to ask God why no cure?

 

There were things I had not done or said,

Who am I to ask God for more time with him?

 

I never heard a bad word spoken towards him,

Who am I to ask God why not someone else?

 

He deserved so much more,

Who am I to question that God knows what he truly deserved?

 

I lost my dad far too soon,

Who am I to question God’s plan?

           

Barry D. Blanton

In loving memory of Don Blanton

January 6, 1935 – June 23, 2007

 

This MMM was originally written in 2007. I will repeat it as long as I write MMM’s on a Monday near the anniversary of the passing of my father.

What are you known for?

 

What are you known for?

Certain cities are known for specific things, like food, culture, and architecture. Celebrities and politicians are often famous for specific good deeds, or maybe more often, certain indiscretions. Years in history are known for what happened during that year. What are you know for?

It is a question often discussed in real time about public figures, but for a lot of us it does not come up until someone leaves this earth. We tend to discuss legacies only once someone passes away. But we are known for who we are now, and what we do while we are alive! Our regular daily behavior leads us to have a certain reputation. Our legacy is being built daily as we speak and act. It can be changed before we die!

How will you be remembered for “the dash” of your life? What will you be known for during the years between your birth and death? If you don’t like the answer, get to work on how to change it while you still can!

Consistency

 

Consistency

I have long supported the concept of consistency. It is important in what I do for a living, but it is important in our personal lives and relationships as well. Don’t you know people whose lives seem to be a roller coaster of their own making? Consider this…

Intensity makes for a good story. Consistency makes for good results.

Word Power!

 

Word Power!

The spoken word is so much more powerful than we know. Words can both hurt and heal. They can destroy but also build up. What we say can educate or simply berate. Words can sting but they can also soothe. We can use our words to encourage or deflate. Our words can make someone’s day or…

The problem is that we are often too quick to spout something without thinking of its impact. As the saying goes, we speak before we think. This often results in our words coming out on the negative side of the above options. That means we can leave a trail of anger, disappointment, and hurt feelings around us.

Consider the power of your words. Choose them carefully. More to the point, consciously choose to be positive with what you say.

Freedom Is Not Free

 

Happy Memorial Day!

Freedom is not free. It may be an overused statement, but it is totally true and so appropriate to remember on Memorial Day. Don’t forget the meaning of the holiday and make sure that your kids and grandkids are aware of it as well. We live in a great country, but a lot of lives have been lost for our freedom. Just remember that while you enjoy the day and welcome the summer!

Have a blessed holiday…

Argue But Listen

 

In our increasingly polarized world, where opinions clash and echo chambers thrive, it has become more crucial than ever to embrace and encourage intellectual humility. That means constructive dialogue while maintaining an open mind. Consider this quote…

 

“Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong.”

 

To “argue like you’re right” is to express your beliefs and opinions with conviction and confidence. We also need to do so in a respectful manner, and it means listening and allowing another person the opportunity to express their beliefs and opinions.

Strengths as Weaknesses?

 

Strengths to an extreme can become a weakness.  It is an interesting concept, right?  Think about what we consider strong character traits, and then consider how those same traits to an excess can be negative.  This is true in leadership roles as well as our personal lives.  When using your core strengths, you risk becoming blinded by your own success.  Consider some examples…

 

• A driven and results-oriented person taken to an extreme can be a jerk who walks all over people.
• If you are laid back and easygoing, in the extreme you’re a wimp who lets people walk all over you.
• Outgoing and expressive people can become flakes who can’t get any real work done and talk too much.
• If you are detailed and precise, taken to an extreme, you become an anal-retentive perfectionist.

 

Be careful to monitor how you use your strengths.  They have clearly gotten you where you are, but to an extent they can be a risk.  Ask yourself if you unknowingly overplay a strong suit to the detriment of a bigger goal. 

Words Are Powerful

 

Wise is the man, wise is the woman, who speaks words that breathe life and build up and encourage and affirm.  Wise is the person who is forever alert to speak words of life, to a child, a spouse, a friend, a student, a neighbor, a co-worker, a stranger, a store clerk, someone who looks troubled.
 
Life-giving words!  We can change lives forever!  Words like these:

·         I love you. 

·         I respect you. 

·         I believe in you. 

·         I am so proud of you! 

·         You can do this! 

·         You are so good at painting! 

·         I love the way you shared your toys with your brother. 

·         Could I pray for you right now? 

·         You are going to get through this, for God will see you through. 

·         I have been praying for you every day. 

·         I am so sorry; will you forgive me? 

·         Thank you so much for that gift.

When words like these are spoken from the heart, they breathe life into people.

Borrowed from:

Jeff Wells

Senior Pastor

WoodsEdge Community Church

Life Is Not Calm

The world we live in is chaotic. There is a lot going on. The same is true for our lives and our businesses. We face challenges. We have hurdles. Rough patches happen. Nothing worth accomplishing is easy. Good things are likely to be difficult and messy, but that is life. Smooth sailing is a myth.

Remember…nobody's success story sounded calm while they were creating it.

Extra Gear

 

Do you have an extra gear? Can you summon up more strength when needed? Can you work at a faster pace when facing a deadline? Do you really step up your game in times of crisis or under pressure? I think most of us can, and do!

Everyone discovers an extra gear under pressure. The rare skill is accessing that extra gear without being under pressure.

Change

 

We humans are not great at change. Our basic nature resists it. But change is a part of life. It is necessary for personal and professional growth. Our inability to change and adapt is often a roadblock to solutions. We seldom see ourselves as the problem. We think others need to change, not us!

The only controllable variable in many situations is you! Oddly, it is the last thing we want to change or adjust. You, may be the problem.

Reliability

  

“Reliability is magnetic because humans are hardwired to avoid risk.  Once you prove yourself trustworthy and reliable, you become the default choice for opportunities without ever asking for them.”

-          Shane Parrish

 

Think about it…

Listen

 

If you have followed the MMM for long, you know this is a big topic for me. Today’s thought on listening has to do with people who have varying viewpoints and different opinions. The art of respectfully listening to another person’s point of view seems to be lost these days. Listening does not mean you have to agree with the point being made. It simply means care enough to allow them to be heard. It is a matter of respect. If you want to share your opinion, be prepared to listen to others. Consider this…

“It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

-       Aristotle

Focus

That is my word for 2026. I am not good at it. I am easily distracted and try to do too many things at one time. But I recently came across another way to think about focus.

Focus means choosing what does not matter.

Think about that. We think focus allows us to do more. Maybe we focus on the wrong things. What you choose not to do determines what you can do. Perhaps focus is meant for us to be able to do less better?

Maybe I have been looking at it all wrong. Maybe I need to decide NOT to do something!

Focus

Reputation

 

How do you define your reputation? What does that word mean? It seems intangible to me. Do you see people who try to flaunt a reputation? Maybe even market a curated reputation?

Your reputation is not your decision. You certainly influence it by your behavior and actions. But I don’t think you get to say what your reputation is. I don’t think we get to talk about our own reputation.  Your reputation is determined by others. It is talked about by others. Consider this…

Your reputation is not what you shout, it is what others whisper.

Grudges

Do you hold grudges? It can feel like we’re protecting ourselves by holding on to anger or resentment. But more often than not, the weight of a grudge hurts us more than it protects us. Holding a grudge actually feels like work.

How quickly are you to forgive? Forgiveness is about choosing your own peace and allowing yourself to move forward. It doesn’t require reconnecting or trusting someone again. It simply frees you to move on. It just means you’re done carrying what they left behind. Let it go. Do it for your own peace. Enjoy the quote below…

“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
— Buddha

Failure

 

Have you failed? More than once? I certainly have, we all have.

Thomas Edison made many attempts at inventing a working lightbulb with setback after setback. Yet he was confident he hadn’t failed even once. He had simply found ten thousand ways not to make a lightbulb. That’s a great perspective when you face adversity. In the effort toward any worthwhile goal, failure has to be considered part of the process. Failure in achieving a particular result isn’t really failure if it’s another step on the way toward the goal. It can be a vital part of the journey.

Until we can accept failure as part of the process our growth and accomplishments are limited.

*Taken from a page in the book “Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” by Tony Dungy

Be Present

Last week, I wrote about the past and the future. This MMM is about the present. Are you truly present? 

We live in a world that constantly pulls us somewhere else. The next meeting. The next notification. The next problem to solve. Even when we are physically in the room, our minds are often already on what’s next, certainly our phones are.

Life happens in the present. The conversation in front of you. The client with the problem. The family member telling you about their day. A friend who needs your attention. Being present is a choice. It means putting the phone down. Closing the laptop. Listening with intent. It means giving someone the gift of your undivided attention.

When we are present, we build trust and we create opportunities!

Don’t just show up this week, be present.

The Past is the Past…

 

There is value in reflection. The past holds lessons for us. It can remind us of how far we’ve come. It gives us moments to celebrate and be grateful. But it is still the past. We cannot rewrite it. We cannot relive it. We cannot change it. What we can do is write what comes next.

Each day is a blank page. Every hour is an opportunity. The future is not something that simply happens to us, but is something we shape with the decisions we make today. While yesterday is written in ink, today is still being drafted in pencil. The days, minutes, and moments ahead of you are unwritten pages in your book of life. Choose your words carefully. Act intentionally. Lead purposefully.

Make it a great week by creating it. Happy Presidents Day, enjoy the quote below…

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

-       Abraham Lincoln

Emphasizing the Negative?

 

It’s easy to notice what’s wrong. As a society, we often focus on flaws and failures more than on progress and success. I know I’m guilty of it too. Spotting the negative seems to come naturally, while recognizing the good requires intentionality.

Choosing positivity takes a conscious effort. Some people seem wired for it, but for many of us it’s a daily decision, especially in a world that constantly highlights what’s broken. The news thrives on bad outcomes, conflict and corruption.  Even the weather report seems to work against us. Why do we hear “a 30% chance of rain” instead of “a 70% chance of sunshine”?

Perspective matters. If we made a habit of looking for what’s going right instead of what’s going wrong, we might not only feel better but be better to be around. Positivity doesn’t ignore reality; it simply chooses which parts of reality to emphasize.

Be positive. Choose it on purpose.

Positive Feedback

 

Are you complimentary when you receive good service?  Do you provide a lift to someone by acknowledging their smile or positive outlook?  You might be surprised the difference you can make in someone’s day, and their job performance, by simply being complimentary.  When a hotel clerk greets you with a smile and helpful attitude make sure they know you noticed.  When the dry cleaner’s employee is prompt and professional genuinely thank them.  When your dining wait staff is especially efficient give them a compliment and maybe even a larger tip.  People that serve others for a living are often mistreated, do your part to change that.  If they are doing an exceptional job go out of your way to let their boss know.  Positive feedback is a great motivator and can change someone’s day, maybe even their future!

Pay someone a genuine compliment today and have a blessed week!

Readiness

 

I have said before that if you wait until you are 100% ready you will never start anything. Total readiness is not something we generally feel. There is always a small amount of doubt, a bit of worry, a slight uncertainty. We must get over these thoughts and take that last step to accomplish anything. A friend recently put it rather clearly like this…

“You’ll never feel ready, because ready is not a feeling. It is a decision.”

When life gives you lemons…

 

Twenty-two years ago. I finished my last chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The notes in my diary from that day simply state, “This is my final treatment, and I thought it would never be finished. I kept watching for the last drop.”

That was a long time ago. Even though my diagnosis was considered treatable but not curable, the longer I remain in remission the lower the odds are of recurrence. That was true at ten, fifteen years, and even more true now at twenty-two years!  I am blessed to have had a tolerable treatment regimen and a favorable outcome.

Many of you know that our family took my diagnosis combined with the loss of my father to leukemia and turned it into a passion of raising money for blood cancer research. Over the past twenty-one years our family (The Blanton Bunch) has raised and donated almost $780,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now known as Blood Cancer United. In addition, The Light The Night Walk has become a key event in The Woodlands raising funds for blood cancers. Lemons to Lemonade, my friends! 

I can’t believe it has been twenty-two years…

A Passion for Excellence (Not Power)

 

Our world focuses a lot on the concept of power. We pursue power. We admire power. We curse power. We are measured on power. But power does not equate excellence.

There is a big difference between a passion for excellence and a passion for power. The pursuit of excellence is a God given gift. It is a critical component in society. It is characterized by a healthy respect for quality, and the use of God given talents in ways that please Him.

The pursuit of excellence glorifies God. The pursuit of power glorifies oneself. The quest for excellence is a sign of maturity. The quest for power, not so much.