Football, Fun, and the Future

We are excited to hear about the experiences of Phil Lester who attended the 49ers versus Panthers game with President Terry Lynch.

Phil Lester and Terry Lynch

Winning the tip to go see the San Francisco 49ers play the Carolina Panthers was an awesome experience. It showed that hard work truly pays off in our business. I had never been to a live NFL game, let alone a payoff game. So it was really cool to see the fans so excited during each pay. You could actually feel the stadium rumbling at your feet as the fans cheered on their favorite team in anticipation of the next play. All-in-all, it was a great experience and definitely won’t be the last. I’m excited about what the future holds for us. ~ Phil Lester 

Mentally Strong People: The 13 Things They Avoid

For all the time executives spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more. Particularly for entrepreneurs, numerous articles talk about critical characteristics of mental strength—tenacity, “grit,” optimism, and an unfailing ability as Forbes contributor David Williams says, to “fail up.”

However, we can also define mental strength by identifying the things mentally strong individuals don’t do. Over the weekend, I was impressed by this list compiled by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, that she shared in LifeHack. It impressed me enough I’d also like to share her list here along with my thoughts on how each of these items is particularly applicable to entrepreneurs.

1. Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves.
You don’t see mentally strong people feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they’ve been mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. They are able to emerge from trying circumstances with self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned. When a situation turns out badly, they respond with phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps simply, “Next!”

2. Give Away Their Power.
Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.

3. Shy Away from Change.
Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome challenge. Their biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.

4. Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control.
Mentally strong people don’t complain (much) about bad traffic, lost luggage, or especially about other people, as they recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. In a bad situation, they recognize that the one thing they can always control is their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.

5. Worry About Pleasing Others.
Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up. They are able to withstand the possibility that someone will get upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.

6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks.
A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and willfully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.

7. Dwell on the Past.
There is strength in acknowledging the past and especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences—but a mentally strong person is able to avoid miring their mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. They invest the majority of their energy in creating an optimal present and future.

8. Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over.
We all know the definition of insanity, right? It’s when we take the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and better outcome than we’ve gotten before. A mentally strong person accepts full responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. Research shows that the ability to be self-reflective in an accurate and productive way is one of the greatest strengths of spectacularly successful executives and entrepreneurs.

9. Resent Other People’s Success.
It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They don’t become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts.

10. Give Up After Failure.
Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought many failures. Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, if necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring them closer to their ultimate goals.

11. Fear Alone Time.
Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be productive. Most importantly, they don’t depend on others to shore up their happiness and moods. They can be happy with others, and they can also be happy alone.

12. Feel the World Owes Them Anything. Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game. 

13. Expect Immediate Results.
Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power.” And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you? 

TL Direct acquisitions Leader of the week

Who is this weeks leader of the week? 

Kiara Hamilton

"The will power to want more and the confidence to stand tall and believe in what you want will make you unstoppable!¨ A small saying that I say every morning when I wake up. It's not about the right now, it's about what I am working towards. 

Every week we nominate a leader who exemplifies all the qualities of a top leader. 

So what is a leader?

A leader is someone who leads by example. They inspire a shared vision while challenging you. They encourage and enable you to act. They help you succeed.

So what do we consider a top leader? 

This is a person who demonstrates all of the skills needed to excel in and out of the field as well as the office. 

Who Moved My Cheese

“If you do not change, you can become extinct.”

If you consistently do the same routine, it’s going to eventually get you nowhere. So you can decide to stick with the things you have been doing. Those things that have not taken you where you want to go. Or you can make the choice to make the necessary changes to attain your goals. Remember that even cheese gets old an moldy. So What does that mean? It means that if you do not change, your results will not change, and it will eventually get old. So instead of staying where you are, why not imagine where you want to be. Realize that through the power of intentions, you can achieve all things. Your intentions will take you where you want to go. You just have to take the right steps, make the necessary changes and decisions to get you there. The quicker you let go of the past and embrace the new, the quicker you will achieve your goals.

“Imagining myself enjoying new cheese in before I find it, leads me to it.” 

TL Direct acquisitions Leader of the week

Who is this weeks leader of the week? 

Shelly Navy

 “Character is tested when you're up against it. The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”

Every week we nominate a leader who exemplifies all the qualities of a top leader. 

So what is a leader?

A leader is someone who leads by example. They inspire a shared vision while challenging you. They encourage and enable you to act. They help you succeed.

So what do we consider a top leader? 

This is a person who demonstrates all of the skills needed to excel in and out of the field as well as the office. 

Operation Smile

TL Direct Acquisitions goes beyond themselves and their community as they participate in raising donations and awareness for Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an organization that provides surgeries that repair cleft lips, palates and other facial deformities for children. We recognize that we take for granted all the medical health benefits offered to us here. We have chosen to help those in need in other countries have some of the same opportunities we have for ourselves here. Raising donations as a team, we hope to change the lives of many small children around the world.


For more information about Operation Smile follow this link: http://www.operationsmile.org 

TL DIRECT ACQUISITIONS 

LEADER OF THE WEEK

Every week the we nominate a leader who exemplifies all the qualities of a top leader. 

So what is a leader?

A leader is someone who leads by example. They inspire a shared vision while challenging you. They encourage and enable you to act. They help you succeed.

So what do we consider a top leader? 

This is a person who demonstrates all of the skills needed to excel in and out of the field, as well as the office. 

Who is this weeks leader of the week? 

From left to right: 

Manager Terry Lynch and Margarita Crespo

Margarita Crespo

“I just want to thank everyone for all their help and advice along the way. I could not do anything without the great team of people I have the privilege of working with. I’m excited to see everyone grow and hit our goals.”

Characteristics of a Great Leader

What defines a leader? What are the characteristics that comprise a leader?
A leader is someone with integrity, courage and vision. Someone who isn’t out for themselves but the team. A true leader understands that without the help of a great team, they are not going to get anywhere. But having a team means nothing, if they are not willing to follow you. How do you get a team to follow you. Show them genuineness. Meaning, show them that you truly care about their needs and desires. A great leader is humble and demonstrates humility along with tenacity. Never giving up on the goals of the team. It’s not just about setting and hitting goals, but also having and showing a vision that is larger than the leader themselves. A vision that each person on the team sees themselves a part of. They each fit in the vision, the end result. So what makes a leader is simple, a leader is clearly someone who others are willing to follow based on their ability to demonstrate and execute their vision with humility, integrity, empathy, confidence, and commitment. 

Having Fun While Learning


Here at TL Direct Acquisitions, it’s not just about what we can do for ourselves but what we can do for others. Phil is clearly having fun sharing the knowledge
he has with new team member Jessica. She in turn is taking in as much information as possible to further her career. What a great way to start the day.