If you see it, you’ll believe it. If you believe it, you’ll achieve it. Goal visualization is a tactic used by many of the world’s most successful people, and it’s one that you can apply in your own life with a little time, effort, and the right mindset. On today’s episode, Phil walks you through the steps of defining your goals and practicing visualization to bring them to life. We challenge you to administer this strategy this week and see for yourself how success can be redefined. References: “The 8 Traits of Champion Golfers” by Deborah Graham - https://goo.gl/DGMMZK   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

As humans, we innately worry about change, especially following a loss. However, life moves on and with time we do too. Citing the 1985 Country song, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” Phil recognizes that though nobody may ever replicate the valued characteristics of a late mentor, we can honor their lives by paying it forward and developing the next generation of leaders to their full potential.                               In loving memory of Jack Phillips Buchanan, Sr.                                                             1926 – 2018   Resources: Billy Graham: https://goo.gl/fd1acm George Jones - "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?": https://goo.gl/VZPpex Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

Close-minded people are often shielded from all of the opportunities, ideas, and experiences that life has to offer. These are the people who are desperately seeking growth but are unwilling to consider a new approach than the one they are currently taking. In today’s episode, Phil explores the power of openness to anything new, whether that is people, ideas, relationships, locations, etc. Openness is a state of mind, and does not indicate a lack of standards or values, but rather highlights a willingness to explore and learn. Try looking at life from a new perspective, and you might find yourself on a remarkable path you would never have expected. Resources: - Mark Twain Quote from “The Innocents Abroad/Roughing It” - https://goo.gl/xFTMLu Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

Human error does not always come in the form of a blanket mistake. It is also present when something could have been done better, even if the doer did not recognize the missed opportunity. We all know that human error is inevitable, but in the professional field it is essential to mitigate them at all costs or the consequences could be dire. In this episode, we discuss one of the most simple ways to ensure human error does not harm your company or clients: peer review. By gaining insights from others on your team, you can work together as a collective to provide the best service to your clients and build more lasting relationships. This week, we challenge you to implement some of the strategies we discuss on today’s show and see the results for yourself. Resources: Mark C. Hartnett - President, Argent Family Wealth Services Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

Cannon Financial Institute, like many others, has a strong history that to which we can attribute much of the company’s current success. Most would agree that it is important to study this history to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. In today’s episode, however, Phil highlights that the power of studying history extends much farther than that alone. We must go deeper than simply recognizing failures. If something didn’t work, why didn’t it work? Was it the idea itself or was it the poor execution of the idea? Additionally, we must recognize key principles set in place over time—those found, held, and sometimes even ignored. By studying the past, you may just find the keys to success for the future. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

We are constantly looking for ways to make our things more valuable to us, whether that means making home improvements or upgrading to a new phone.  Why don’t we spend the same amount of time looking for ways to make ourselves more valuable? In this week’s episode, Phil addresses four areas of our lives that we should all focus on improving. By evaluating our competencies and actively working to grow in each of these areas, we can develop ourselves in ways that make us more valuable to everyone we encounter. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

In general, everything we do has the potential to expose our strengths and vulnerabilities. It is recognizing these “life moments” for what they are that gives each of us the opportunity to refine our processes, methodologies, and even our character.    If you missed the College Football Championship game, you missed a lot of “life moments.” In this episode, Phil helps us identify both the subtle and not so subtle lessons we can gain from what is often called “only a game.”   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

In this week’s episode, Phil shares a colleague’s experience of a dramatic and sudden change in his business.  The reasons for the change share common themes from which we can all learn and grow.    Technology allows us to develop systems and routines in our business which helps to ensure faithful and consistent execution of relationship best practices.  However, what good is a system without a genuine desire to connect with authenticity.   Join us in the challenge to engage on a deeper level and become the people that others seek as a thought leader, mentor, confidant and coach. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

What differentiates quality? In this episode, we encourage you to look beyond the “raw ingredients” of a product or service into the subtle details and cumulative efforts which create a client’s experience. Efficiencies and scale often allow for price compressions.  Technological advances provide both advisor and client with access to resources once only accessible to a select few.  However, an advisor’s ability to counsel, coach, and influence their client and prospect decisions is the differentiator which molds the raw, often simple ingredients into a masterpiece and art form unique each to its own.  Begin the new year identifying those areas of your practice which can be viewed as a premium.  Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]   References: Filson Corporation: https://www.filson.com/ Rathbun’s Restaurants:  http://www.kevinrathbun.com/

Today, Phil is joined by Senior Vice President and Director of Strategic Alliances, Theresa Silcox. The two discuss their viewpoints on relationships and how to strengthen and protect those relationships both inside and outside the workplace.   In this episode of First Friday Feedback, we address the question “How to effectively navigate a successful sales interaction?” by determining if one’s sales efforts are best executed through relationship development or through the challenger approach. We also discuss the question “How does one avoid or diffuse situations where political differences create unwanted tension?” by volunteering our perspective on how to approach this delicate conversation in both a digital and face-to-face environment.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]   References: The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson: https://binged.it/2Cv3aqM Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson: https://binged.it/2CsPL2y “This Year it’s Okay to Talk Politics with Clients” by Paul Hechinger (article mentioned by listener, “Continuously Conflicted”):  http://bit.ly/2DTHRfL

With this first episode of the new year, we are setting the bar high. The challenge, eliminate the phrase “good enough” from your vocabulary.    For too long, these two words have been muttered without tangible consequences. We assert, “it’s good enough,” and neglect to truly analyze the weight behind our words. “Good enough” limits innovation; it does not create a stage for excellence, but builds a heavy wall between us and our potential. Do we all aspire to be deemed “good enough” by others for the roles we are called to play in life? No, life is too short to buy into this bland and average routine.   In this morning’s episode, we urge you to elevate the areas of your life that have fallen short of your true potential. Challenge yourself to make 2018 about breaking the habit of “good enough,” because “good enough” isn’t a meaningful objective.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

As the old saying goes, “life is too short to cry over spilled milk,” and this week we encourage you to leave that “spilled milk” and any bad experiences in 2017 behind. It is the time of year to reorganize your workspace, clean and focus your mind, and throw away any animosity related to negative experiences. The countdown to 2018 has officially begun, and each of us must take this opportunity to give ourselves a clean page on which to write our narrative for the upcoming year. In this episode, we challenge you to reflect on any mistakes from 2017, extract and compile all the lessons learned, and unfasten yourself from any bitterness you feel as you drive forward into the New Year. Additionally, we encourage you to make a list of goals for 2018’s first quarter and put them in a highly accessible location where you can revisit them daily. As you choose how you would like to spend the last days of 2017, make sure that you use them in a way that will make an impact in 2018. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

'Twas the Thursday before Christmas and we have a poem to share; To remind us all of the best gift this time of year. These next few days as you prepare for Christmas Day – baking cookies for Santa, washing carrots for Comet and Rudolph, stuffing stockings, or making last minute trips to the mall to find the perfect gift for your loved ones – make sure you always remind yourself what this season is truly about. In this special Christmas edition of Monday Morning Mojo, Phil shares a childhood poem by Helen Steiner Rice entitled The Christmas Guest, which tells the story of a man who is shown what and who truly matters on Christmas Day. Quite often it is far too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of holiday activities. This morning, we want you to pause and consider the real reason we celebrate the 25th of December. Happy Holidays!   Resources: The Christmas Guest by Helen Steiner Rice: https://www.thefamilyinternational.org/christmas/articledd6e.html The Christmas Guest by Grandpa Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iyYix9umek Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]

As Bill Murray so aptly described in the famous movie Scrooge, the holiday season is a time we “act a little nicer, we smile a little easier and we cheer a little more.” Some people do this naturally and constantly while others struggle with the words.   This Monday morning, we challenge you to do two simple yet impactful tasks that will put you in the holiday spirit. First, we encourage you to include some random acts of kindness in your holiday season. Whether you bring items to your local homeless shelter or pay for someone’s pumpkin spice latte, a kind gesture to a stranger will brighten both your and the recipient’s day. We also challenge you to write thoughtful letters to those individuals that mean something to you. Not just a quick note attached to a gift bag, but a heartfelt letter recounting shared experiences and explaining why that person means so much to you. To truly experience the holiday spirit, we must actively be a force for good and continue to demonstrate kindness to those we care for as well as the strangers we encounter.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

You’re playing a round of golf and the conditions are quite favorable – the greens are slightly grown out and thus a bit slower, the weather is calm and the pin placements are all in relatively easy positions. You shoot the lowest round of your life, a score on par with the pros playing in the Wyndham Championship that week. Do you set out for PGA tour school and become a touring pro? Probably not, because anticipating that those results would have occurred with more challenging conditions would be foolish. So why do we sometimes make this mistake in business? This morning, we discuss the importance of honestly assessing our successes, because should you neglect to do so, certain consequences may surface down the road. We encourage you to look back on 2017 with an unbiased lens that will allow you to evaluate what your success would look like with and without certain conditions. Use the methods we outline in this episode to constructively appraise the strengths and weakness of your business – if you do so, you will put yourself in a position to hit the ground running in 2018.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

According to Urban Dictionary, “Adulting” is a term typically used by those who “adult” less than 50% of the time, and describes an individual who seeks to carry out “one or more of the duties and responsibilities expected of fully developed individuals.” It is with humor that we observe the younger generation either transitioning into their first jobs or even getting married, and refer to their actions as “adulating behavior” as if they can easily slip back into a more carefree time of their life.   Most of us are beyond those responsibility-free days of our youth, and this Monday morning we reflect on the growth that comes with age. In hindsight, we realize that as we experience more of life, we lose some of the insecurities we had in high school. However, we must also acknowledge that transitioning into these new phases of our life can bring different insecurities. In spite of this, we must manage and own our responsibilities and embrace certain attributes that come with age and experience. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]   Urban Dictionary definition of “Adulting”: http://bit.ly/2nh6vDt

Today, Phil is joined by Cannon Executive Vice President and Director of R&D, Bill Trigleth. The two share their unique perspectives on the integration of new technology, joint projects with upper management, and coping with an open workspace environment.   In this episode of First Friday Feedback we encourage you to think about technology from a new perspective; instead of simply accepting it, understand its significance in your business processes. We also advise you to thoroughly analyze upper management’s reasoning behind seemingly inefficient decision making. Finally, we suggest some creative ways to adjust to an open workspace environment.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]   References: Lori Hardwick, Cannon Curve Interview: Part 1: http://bit.ly/2jznY58 Part 2: http://bit.ly/2AeBepM Portfolio Project Management Process: http://prioritysystem.com/PDF/reasons6b.pdf Simon Sinek, Start With Why: https://startwithwhy.com/ Shari Parsons Miller, “Advantages and Disadvantages to Open Workspace”: http://bit.ly/2iky39m Harvard Business Review Articles Christine Congdon, Donna Flynn, and Melanie Redman, "Balancing ‘We’ and ‘Me’: The Best Collaborative Spaces Also Support Solitude": http://bit.ly/1rTijIu Andrew Laing, David Craig, and Alex White, "Vision Statement: High-Performance Office Space": http://bit.ly/2iswbLI

 It’s the season of Christmas trees and menorahs, eggnog and candy canes, where we, as business professionals, traditionally send holiday cards, nuts, and chocolates to our clients and influencers. But will these small gifts make a significant impact? We believe the answer is no.     Although these standard gifts are kind tokens of appreciation, they won’t necessarily be memorable or set your practice apart from the rest. Thus, this Monday morning, we explore the ways in which you can make a lasting impression on your clients during the holiday season. We explain how to make deeper connections and build stronger relationships through more personalized gifts, and why it is important to do so. It doesn’t take a strenuous amount of effort to demonstrate your sincere appreciation for your clients. All it involves is paying detailed attention to your client’s passions and interests, and preparing a gift that acknowledges that passion.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]   Old-school writing instruments:www.levenger.comwww.colonellittleton.com Shooting accessories: www.orvis.com Personalized canvas photos: www.canvasart.com

What are you thankful for? A game of golf or a Saturday spent watching your favorite college football team? Is it a glass of bourbon enjoyed by a fire? Perhaps you are thankful for the change in seasons – for the mountains in winter or the sandy beaches of summer.   In memory of Atlanta Journal Constitution Sports Columnist, Furman Bisher, Phil takes time this Monday morning to reflect on the people, experiences, and places for which he is grateful. We encourage you to begin this week by starting your own process of gratitude. Actively remind yourself of the many blessings this life has to offer and give thanks to the people you cherish most. Like Bisher, we are dedicating our Thanksgiving season to all the aspects of life that we treasure and hope you do the same.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]   Furman Bisher – I’m Thankful: http://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/holiday/furman-bisher-thankful/GhsSnkAxF2wPWjBRTvtBGO/

From the sounds of Patsy Cline to the tunes of Cane Brown, country music often tells compelling stories or shares lessons learned. Whether you are a fan of country music, rock n’ roll, or pop, you can most likely relate to the narratives that many of the great country music artists tell in their lyrics.   Last week, Garth Brooks took home the Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, and today we reflect on the valuable lesson he shares with us in his song “Unanswered Prayers.”  In life we dream, we aspire and when faced with certain opportunities or challenges, we often interpret a particular path as the most desirable. Garth reminded us in 1991 and again today that not getting what you want can sometimes be the perfect gift; it is in these instances that the balance of judgment and humility become critical.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]   Garth Brooks:  “Unanswered Prayers”:  http://bit.ly/2tJEpiM Garth Brooks, 2017 CMA Award Winner: https://binged.it/2hl03pg

We, as humans, are subject to our own biases. Even the most self-aware individual can limit themselves by unconsciously acting on pre-conceived stereotypes or judgments. Biases are unfortunately built into society and our psychological nature; how do we keep them from turning into mistakes? In this episode, Phil recounts and analyzes an eye-opening experience that brought him back to a lesson most of us learned in grade school: don’t to judge a book by its cover. Although we all know this statement to be true, our actions and thought-processes do not always mirror our wisdom. Biases based on appearance can limit our capacity to grow our influence and expand our knowledge base. Don’t fall into this trap; make it your mission today and everyday to hold yourself accountable for the labels you place on others.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]

Cultural fit and the internal relationships we develop with our colleagues are essential to success and happiness. Whether we like it or not, the actions and behaviors of other individuals will impact our ability, confidence, and willingness to work in an environment.  In this episode, we hear from two of our listeners, both of whom share issues they are currently facing with the dynamic of their team: the first with upper management and the second with a new business partner. Despite their best effort, these individuals are losing passion and patience because their style conflicts with those they work with.  This Friday, we offer advice on finding your cultural fit, give perspective on how to engage constructively with difficult team dynamics, and recommend two great reads that can provide more insight to you.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]   References: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

Richard Thaler, acclaimed American economist, professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and founding father of the “nudge” theory has been awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. His research in behavioral science has not only defied traditional economic theory but has re-shaped public policy and influenced politicians world-wide. We conclude today that his theories can benefit the wealth management industry as well. In this episode, we view client relationships from the perspective of behavioral economics and ask three key questions that will help you reevaluate your top clients. Thaler’s research provides a compelling case that today’s advisors must focus more time, energy, and effort into helping clients make sound decisions. By applying his models to the financial industry, we can advance our overall client relationships and the trajectory of our practices. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to: [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to: [email protected]

For some reason, our failures always seem to resonate deeper than our successes. Why is that? Why are we more agitated by a loss than excited by a win? Why the Hubris? In a practice that has achieved an elevated level of sustained success, one can unwittingly and somewhat irrationally acquire a more heightened expectation to close every deal. This regrettably is not reality. In today’s episode, we discuss why this mindset will hinder our long-term growth. Regardless of how talented any one of our companies may be, there will always be those prospects that don’t connect or aren’t professionally attracted to our firm. Rather than beating ourselves up over these losses, we must exercise control over our emotions, implement decision making that reflects our long-term goals, and resolve to learn from every experience. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Please send First Friday Feedback submissions to [email protected]

Have you ever had an experience while working with someone where you ask yourself, “Why do I have to deal with this person?” Well today we answer that question for you. In this episode, we examine the reality of our interactions with others and assert that those encounters have a purpose beyond their face value. We can often discover the specific purpose of our interactions upon reflection; however, in the moment we need to recognize that when individuals come into our lives it’s either for a reason, a season or a lifetime. By looking at your relationships and even your brief encounters from a perspective of growth and personal development, you can gain more from your everyday experiences.  We challenge you this morning to change the way you engage with those around you; shift your perception to see the real purpose of those encounters.   Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected]

In today’s episode, we evaluate our practice from the client’s perspective. What does the prospect see? What opinions do they form? When a client chooses your firm, do they feel confident that they’ve made the right decision? When one studies highly successful companies such as Disneyworld, Starbucks or Four Seasons, he or she finds that they have differentiated themselves from their competition through a process of defining what a superior experience for their customers looks like. This morning, we share three important questions that will challenge you to identify the rocks or pillars of your own unique client experience; and then, when those rocks are established and implemented, you will inevitably capitalize on a strengthened brand, heightened client experience, and an increased business value. Resources  Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Kirby Smart, University of Georgia Football Coach, statement following 9/30/17 game: https://www.reuters.com/article/football-ncaa-tennessee-georgia-writethr/no-7-georgia-throttles-tennessee-to-stay-perfect-idUSMTZEDA14CHLA8

Today, Cannon Financial Institute is excited to announce the launch of First Friday Feedback, a sister podcast to Monday Morning Mojo and the Cannon Curve. In this series, our host, Phil Buchanan, will be addressing questions specifically proposed by you, our listeners. Our aim is to focus on the issues and circumstances relevant to our audience. Thus, we invite you to steer the content and ask questions that you believe could help improve a dilemma you may be facing in your professional life – big or small.   In this episode, we hear from three anonymous individuals who are facing challenges in their work environment and offer outside perspective and advice to help guide them in their attempt to remedy the situation. We address how to approach a conflict in a team of intergenerational dynamics, discuss tactics you can employ to help overcome feeling burnt out or unmotivated, and give advice to an individual whose personal situation is inadvertently causing distress to her work life.    Thank you to those of you who submitted questions, we know you will enjoy the show!     Resources:   Submit questions to First Friday Feedback to [email protected]

300 Monday mornings ago we launched the pilot episode of this podcast series. Our mission? To begin each week by providing insight and new perspectives deliberately designed to help motivate and inspire our listeners. Together, we have tackled numerous issues, discussed strategies for success, evaluated our relationships, elevated our professional performance, and continuously challenged ourselves to be a force for good. Over the last two weeks, we have invited you to reveal the episodes that have had the most impact on you; and this morning, our team has chosen the top three responses to share with you. As of today, our Monday Morning Mojo journey has given us 300 lessons to celebrate, and we are looking forward to hundreds more. Resources: Please send comments, questions, and feedback to [email protected] Jim Valvano 1983 Speech: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Jimmy+Valvano+1983+Anniversary+Speech&&view=detail&mid=1A0B7879D80A71AD823D1A0B78

Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt stuck? Although you may have a stable family life and your career is secure, you feel as though your life has become repetitive – a set of traditions and routines. Thus, you reflect; you think back on the “glory days” of college, high school, your first exciting professional opportunity, or perhaps your first love, and have an unrequited desire to revisit those past moments and experiences. In today’s episode, we discuss why exactly the desire to relive your most memorable experiences is counterproductive and essentially a trap. Nobody enjoys feeling stuck, and this morning we hope to give you the solution to pull you away from this cycle.   Resources: Please send comments and questions to [email protected] Kenny Chesney; “the Boys of Fall”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEc1m-r_0gM

Imagine this scenario: you are working with a group/team and have a vision or idea of the correct path for you all to take to accomplish your goal – whatever that may be. Yet, those around are not able to see what you see, either because they can’t or don’t want to. The majority of us have had at least one of these moments in our lifetime, and in this episode, we discuss the correct approach to take should this occur. Big visions are like large trees – you need to swing the axe more than once if you want it to fall. By providing the right motivation, and communicating your ideas both initially and throughout an entire project, you develop what we like to call “persistent patience.” That is, a patient intensity that allows long term goals to be met without artificially forcing activity on your team members.   Please send comments or questions to [email protected]

How do you define courage? Is it overcoming adversity? Maybe it is overcoming fear?   Webster’s defines courage as a “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty,” and in this episode, we dissect and develop our own understanding of what it means to be courageous. Courage can appear in a multitude of states: physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual. On one end of the spectrum, courage can be a mechanism for survival; yet on the other end, it can be about doing the right thing even when the right thing is not the easiest. Courage must be fostered, developed and honored, and this week we encourage you to find the areas in your life where you can demonstrate courage and bring out courage in others.   Please send comments or questions to [email protected]

Think about your work environment. What energy do you and your co-workers bring to the office every day? Is it lively? Dull? What motivates you and your team to engage whole-heartedly in a project? In this episode, we discuss how to bring a jolt of fresh energy to your company culture in honor of the start of a new season. The weather is turning cool and crisp, football stadiums are filling up on the weekends, the school-year has just begun, and now is the best possible time to re-instill passion into your organization. Finding strategies to recharge the energy in your company culture is vital to success. It will not only lay the groundwork for future business growth, but will also bring some fun into everyone’s daily routine. Please send comments or questions to [email protected] The Cannon Curve Podcast: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/the-cannon-curve

What if we told you that goal based planning is failing for many firms and also many advisors. On more than one occasion, we have noticed that when a firm or advisor is asked to identify specific metrics for their various goals, they often struggle. In this morning’s episode we dive into why that may be, and as it turns out, the solution is quite simple. There are two key elements that can cause goal-based planning to fail, and they both revolve around not having a tangible vision to base your goals on. Goal-setting is on its own a monotonous process that tends to focus on the “what” and the “how.” However, the simple yet crucial question you must ask begins with “why.” Today we are going to talk about the “why” Please send comments or questions to [email protected] It’s not About the Nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed when confronted with the idea of a life change – big or small? It is fairly human to fear the unknown, to fear failure, to fear disappointment, to fear stepping away from a comfort zone; and for many of us, the idea of change generally carries at least one, if not most, of these fears with it.   In this episode, we outline four steps to pragmatically asses whatever change you may be contemplating. By following these four steps, we hope that you can view change in a way that will either make the transition less overwhelming or allow you to confidently remain on your current path. We encourage you to retake control when change makes you feel like you are riding shotgun instead of sitting behind the wheel; we encourage you to not let fear of change inhibit you from taking action; and, most importantly, we encourage you to change the way you perceive change. Resources: Please send comments or questions to: [email protected]   The Cannon Curve Podcast: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/the-cannon-curve The Shawshank Redemption (IMDB): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/

Is society losing its grip on good, deep, solid conversations? Yes, we are more connected on a macro level through technology and social media, but have we lost some of our face-to-face communication skills because of our digitally evolving world? In this episode, we talk conversations. We discuss the importance of seeking to understand rather than seeking to be heard when conversing with one another, and Phil shares three questions he typically asks during a conversation with a new acquaintance. He finds that ironically, to become a better conversationalist, you must speak less and listen more – actively learning from what your conversational partner has to share.

After 10 days off the grid, away from phones, email, wifi, television, etc., Phil returns with key insights he gained while conversing with a gentleman who had also used those ten days to abstain from technology. This particular gentleman has managed to maintain an impressive number of accomplishments, which brought up two questions: Why do you do the things you do? And, how do you find the time? In this episode we discuss the importance of taking advantage of the time we are given. Time passes whether you are doing great things or not, so why not do great things? We all have dreams; now is the time to move those dreams into action.

What does “just doing the job” mean to you? When you ask those who have served, fought and received the Congressional Medal of Honor, “just doing the job” means demonstrating unparalleled valor and courage against enemy forces. Talking to these men and discovering the humble way in which they speak of their experiences and accomplishments is inspiring. On the battlefield, men learn brotherhood and the importance of putting the fate of the whole above the fate of one’s self. And off the battlefield, these men realize the importance of putting their relationships with family, friends, and fellow soldiers above the pettiness of everyday life. In this episode, we encourage to learn from their stories and measured approaches to life. Put the needs of your clients and your clients’ families above your own and always hold fast to humility. We do more than influence our clients’ journeys, we serve as chief navigators, and with that responsibility comes great accountability. Resources: Congressional Medal of Honor Society: http://www.cmohs.org/ Jack H. Jacobs, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient: http://www.pbs.org/weta/americanvalor/stories/jacobs.html General Jimmy Dolittle, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Doolittle

“See I believe life is an influenced journey. Based on certain Circumstances, we are all put into situations that at times empower us and at other times restrain us. The key is appreciating the lessons in all circumstances.” - Words from Chief Justice John G. Roberts’ commencement address (2017) Failure is not permanent, but neither is success. How will you choose to embrace success and failure? How will you choose to relate to them? How will you choose to learn from them? And finally, how will you ultimately choose to manage them? In this episode, we reflect on the importance of staying humble and kind when you are filled with pride and success, and to own your failures in a way that will shape your life for a positive future. Failure is not permanent, but neither is success, and to accept this, is to become a force for good.  Resources: Chief Justice John G. Roberts’ commencement address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzu9S5FL-Ug Tim McGraw’s, “Humble and Kind”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awzNHuGqoMc Sarah Platten’s, “Fight Song”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc Charles R. Swindoll: http://www.insight.org/ 

The hypothesis: Monday Morning Mojo listeners are likely leaders in various forms or fashions. Now, you may be asking yourself, “Why would they think this?” Well, we came to this conclusion based on our research which shows most of you to be active learners – listening to three or more podcasts a week and reading voraciously. We realize that leaders come in many forms, and when you invest in yourself by seeking knowledge, perspective, and understanding, you grow in your capacity to influence those around you. Thus, this past Wednesday we proudly launched the inaugural episode of our latest podcast series, the Cannon Curve. This podcast is dedicated to unearthing the stories of impactful leaders through a series of interview-style episodes. In the handful of interviews conducted to date, we are already noticing a pattern of great leaders possessing the unique ability to instill confidence in their peers and to even go a step further by motivating their peers to achieve more than they once believed possible. In this episode, we encourage you to follow this pattern and strive to make others the best they can be. It is all of our responsibilities to set a positive example and give back to others through encouragement and inspiration. Resources: The Cannon Curve: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/the-cannon-curve-podcast/ Kessel Stelling: https://www.synovus.com/about-us/our-leadership/kessel-stelling Dr. Stacy Campbell: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/faculty/campbell-stacy.php

What great thoughts are locked in your brain? Have you ever thought to write them down? For Spanx founder and entrepreneur extraordinaire, Sara Blakely, writing down her thoughts and ideas about a seamless, body-slimming undergarment helped to solidify her business plan for her now multi-billion dollar company. In this episode of Monday Morning Mojo, we discuss the importance of taking time each day to reflect on your day’s journey, the people with whom you interacted, as well as any inspiration you found throughout your day. We encourage you to keep a journal close at hand to collect these thoughts. Who knows you might have the next great idea. Sources/Resources Spanx – Sara Blakely: http://www.spanx.com/about-us Plato - http://www.arkintime.com/know-thyself/plato/ Journaling: -     What is Journaling - http://www.becomingwhoyouare.net/what-is-journaling/ -     Benefits of Journaling -  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thai-nguyen/benefits-of-journaling-_b_6648884.html -     Health Benefits of Journaling - https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/  

Who are the five people with whom you spend the most time? Looking at the past and present relationships you have cultivated and the individuals that you have chosen to surround yourself with, can you specifically identify those who have influenced you in some way? As Jim Rohn famously stated, “you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” and this Monday morning, we challenge you to examine your relationships and consider what traits you admire most in your closest peers, colleagues, friends, and family. If you find certain characteristics in those individuals that won’t enhance or contribute to making you a better person, take caution to not let those relationships have unwarranted influence on you. Influence is an incredibly powerful tool, be aware of those influencing you, and with your influence, be a force for good.  Resources: Jim Rohn: https://www.jimrohn.com/ 

When did we lose our capacity to respectfully engage with those who hold a different opinion than our own? Have we forgotten how to disagree without being disagreeable? It’s astounding how today, society is quick to reject perspectives that align perpendicular to our own, and quick to judge one another based solely on our differences.  Life is too short to live this way, and in this morning’s episode, we challenge you to consciously remain open to other perspectives and acknowledge that sometimes you must respectfully agree to disagree. Because when one dismisses another entirely due to a disagreement on a particular point of view, he or she may be missing out on building a great relationship.   Resources: - Depeche Mode – “People are People” - Music Video: https://youtu.be/ErnMC7xokQ8 - Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/depechemode/peoplearepeople.html - Friendship between Justices Ginsburg and Scalia - Article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/02/13/what-made-scalia-and-ginsburgs-friendship-work/?utm_term=.41b78d33f3b4

All successful leaders fail.  The key to great leadership is not a 100% success rate; the key to great leadership is the ability to step up and adjust or pivot our initial course of action despite the feeling of failure. Many of us are afraid of the unknown or a lack of a plan B, which greatly inhibits our willingness to seize opportunities. However, if we get comfortable in life with ambiguity, and acknowledge that not every deal, job, or project will work as planned, we set ourselves on a path to achieve greatness.  This Monday morning, we leave you with three ideas to incorporate into your professional endeavors, and challenge you to embrace failure as an essential component of any learning experience. Success may fail at first; it is up to you to not let that failure hinder your ability to be great.

Netflix has replaced Blockbuster, Spotify replaced Apple, Uber replaced taxis, and it seems technology continues to disrupt old-school business models... Or does it? This Monday Morning, we discuss the biggest threat to any firm, and it just so happens, it is not technology. Yes, there are competitive robo-platforms, but instead of being threatened by them, we should simply respond by integrating technology into our own business model while focusing the majority of our energy on our time with clients. The value proposition of an advisor is embedded tightly within his/her relationships to clients, and if an advisor can satisfy a client’s technology needs while building deeper professional connections, they will remain ahead of the curve. To maintain or grow market share, one must find the solution that is completely client-centric, and not doing so is the biggest threat to any business.   Resources: - Alberto Brea: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/amazon-did-kill-retail-industry-alberto-brea

  On June 9th, 2017 – only four short days from today – is a day many believe will live in infamy. This Friday is the DOL Fiduciary Rule implementation day, and it is a day making headlines in the financial news – carrying a multitude of questions for advisors and financial firms alike.   How will the Fiduciary Rule evolve business practices? What impact will the rule have on our future and current relationships with clients? These are excellent questions many of us are asking, but perhaps this rule is not as earth-shattering as we seem to think.   This Monday Morning, we are taking a moment to explore the fundamental meaning of the word fiduciary. Once dissected and peeled back to its root, we find that to be a fiduciary is to be an individual who values trust and character. We must remind ourselves that to act as a fiduciary, you are simply required to act in the interest of another; and if you operate within a business that upholds a genuine client-centric model, you are already acting in this manner. Ceteris Paribus, we should all maintain fiduciary mindset, because in the long term, it can produce better relationships and results.    Resources:   The Fiduciary Principle Austin W. Scott, 1949 The California Law Review; Volume 37, Issue 4 http://scholarship.law.berkeley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3487&context=californialawreview   Fiduciary Law in the Twenty-First Century Tamar Frankel, 2011 http://www.bu.edu/law/journals-archive/bulr/documents/frankel.pdf   Six Core Fiduciary Duties for Financial Advisors Knut A. Rostad, 2013 The Institute for the Fiduciary Standard http://www.thefiduciaryinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/InstituteSixCoreFiduciaryDuties.pdf    

We have heard it before – the story of a toxic corporate culture or the tale of a not-so-fabulous boss. This is a challenging situation to find yourself in, but in the event that you do, you have two options: exit or engage.   This Monday morning, Phil defines the importance of establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship with one’s colleagues, clients, and supervisors. It’s no surprise that corporate culture matters. Those you surround yourself with matter. A healthy, inviting corporate culture is absolutely imperative for a successful and growing company. As a member of a team, your active contribution in preserving an environment where your colleagues feel welcome and appreciated is critical. Additionally, those in a leadership position must set a positive example and deliberately work to cultivate a strong culture for his/her team.  

What mindset do leaders indoctrinate into the backbone of their failures and successes that enables them to achieve the extraordinary? As Dr. Chuck Swindoll correctly stated, “life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it.” This is just one of the key realizations successful leaders must program into their mind’s framework in order to fully accelerate their career.   In this episode, Phil outlines three courses of thought leaders must actively engage in to answer the question: “How is it that great leaders are able to overcome the two great limitations of inertia and fear?” As a preview of the content of the new Cannon Curve podcast coming this June, this Monday Morning serves as the beginning of an attempt to define the habits and characteristics of exceptional leadership.   Resources: Insight for Living: https://www.insight.org/about/chuck-swindoll Twitter: @chuckswindoll Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chuck-Swindoll-107888769305/  

If you were to take a look into the minds, routines, and character traits of today’s leaders, what would you find? Phil begins to answer this question in his new podcast series – The Cannon Curve. Coming in June, this new series features interviews with many of the nation’s top leaders, CEO’s, and thought provocateurs in the business world, providing insight into the mechanics of modern day leaders. This Monday morning, Phil shares seven pivotal lessons he has learned from the first of these interviews in order to begin to reveal how these influential individuals function. Although leadership styles vary, there are core characteristics and habits that the majority of leaders have in common, and in this episode, Phil has gone straight to the source to identify what they are. Learn More: http://www.cannonfinancial.com/uploads/main/An_Overview_One_Page.pdf