Yesterday, I spent some time cleaning out my office and packing for the move on Friday.

Some of my favorite things to come across while cleaning up a little are thank you notes.

As I find them in my drawer, I take a minute or two to read them and am instantly reminded of just how lucky I am.

I am also reminded that sending out thank you notes is meaningful.

But as I looked at them yesterday I was reminded of how many lives we have been able to touch and impact at Mavidea.

Customers, vendors, employees (past and current) and the community in general have all been enriched by what we have done.

As we move forward to our new office, it’s a great time to take stock and realize how much we have already done.

Not to rest on our laurels and take it easy, but to be inspired to do more.

Each of the thank you notes I read left me inspired to work hard to impact another in a similar or better way.

If we have done it once, we can do it again, even better.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days. – Doug Larson

Assuming everything goes well this week, Mavidea is moving on Friday.

The week will go quickly and we all look forward to the new office with excitement and enthusiasm.

But I thought I would recognize our old place a little before we went.

We have been renting our current office for almost 8 years now.

There has been a lot of life happen in and around the office over those years.

Babies being born.

Marriages.

Deaths of loved ones.

We all brought the good and the bad into the office with us over the years as we shared life together.

This week will be filled with hustle and bustle. We will all be busy.

But make a few moments to think of all the memories. Embrace the history.

Make it a great day.

Jake

BAD – You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. – Abraham Lincoln

JD – Don’t go by the sun….you’ll melt your ice cream! – Anne Davis to her sister Margaret (who was standing in the sun coming in through a window while eating ice cream)

JW – Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but its fruit is very sweet. – Canadian proverb

EB* – When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That’s relativity. – Albert Einstein

MS – Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. – King Solomon

JR – Always try something twice, in case you mess up the first time. – Jason Roush original TM, Copyright, etc.

I really liked Jason’s original quote this week.

What a great thought. Just plan on trying it twice (at least).

All too often we give something a try and give up too easily when some perseverance and grit would have led to a breakthrough.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=820976471314352&fref=nf

This one went around on FaceBox the other day, so you may have already seen it.

It is awesome what we can accomplish when working together.

A bunch of kids and a bunch of practice and you get cool music.

We can do the same. In our families, our churches, at Mavidea, etc. we can work together to accomplish great things.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Only the mediocre are always at their best. – Jean Giraudoux

What a great way to think about those times when we fall short.

If we never failed it would mean that we were never reaching beyond ourselves, never pushing our limits.

If we choose to accept the mediocre and consistently perform at that level we may not have to face the pain of failure, but we will likely feel the pain of regret. The pain of never having tried and given it our all.

Try something outside your comfort zone today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Today is tax day. Taxes are a great example of an area for me that could use some improvement in attitude.

I would like some day to become a completely happy tax payer.

To write those checks and think of roads, schools, soldiers and the greatness we have as a nation.

As with most things in life, it is your own attitude towards something that drives your happiness or dissatisfaction.

Taxes will be about the same no matter your personal attitude when paying them.

Might as well make it a good one.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After the story of doubting Thomas, the disciples are given an important command – go and tell others.

Inspire the same belief they found in others.

I think this can apply in goal setting and personal development as well.

Once you have the belief in the new you, bring someone along.

Inspire someone along the same journey and bring them with you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After Easter, there is another classic Christian story that is told almost every year – the story of Doubting Thomas.

The story goes that after Jesus rose from the dead one of the disciples (Thomas) said he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the wound marks from the crucifixion. Jesus shows these marks and Thomas believes.

It is hard to believe without seeing.

Whether it be in a risen savior or in yourself.

Belief is such an important part of the process of goal achievement and personal development.

Fortunately, we can all “see” the results we want to achieve in our minds and in the results others have achieved.

We are fortunate to live in a time with so much written down and documented about the success (and failures) of others.

As you look at your life and any potential changes you want to make, believe in the change by seeing it first.

Picture it in your mind and find proof of someone else that has done it.

Once that belief is built, you are on your way.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/6dBW4pViRTU

Defying gravity.

What assumptions of others are you allowing to keep you from reaching your potential?

All too often we allow others around us and what everybody else is doing to set our course and our limits.

When you think about your goals and aspirations, think outside of this. Create your own plan outside of everyone else’s expectations.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. – William James

I found this quote and immediately had the mental picture of someone carving a statue.

They work a little of time here and a little bit of time there, slowly chipping away at it.

Then one day, a masterpiece stands in front of them. Something that will outlast them.

When it comes to building a legacy, most of the time I think this is how it works.

Not one brilliant moment of glory, but slow and steady chipping.

Not crowds and bright lights, but consistent methodical process over a long time.

What are you chipping away at?

Make it a great day.

Jake