Where Our Growth Comes From?
I was on a Zoom call earlier this week where we were discussing growth and getting people to challenge themselves. While I can’t remember the question or exact context, I do remember this thought that I shared on the call.
While it may not be “all” growth occurring outside the fence, it is completely the case that growth comes at a faster pace when we are outside the confines of our “safe” boundaries.
This reality has manifested throughout human history as we have gathered into tribes or cities for security and community. However, too often being confined among those only like us limits our development and growth as the challenges or obstacles we face become repetitive.
The early Christian Church was predominately a group centered in Jerusalem until Roman persecution forced them to spread out. While a different and greater challenge, the faith grew by spreading to a wider audience.
During the early Colonial period, communities isolated along the American coasts would have never expanded across the continent had there not been the explorers and expanders to pushed outside their existing borders westward.
Today, we see some of the same isolating behaviors manifest through our social interactions. Somehow, at a time when we are nearly unlimited geographically, we close ourselves into virtual like-minded echo chambers where we never encounter disagreement or challenge.
My recommendation:
- Take a look at your interactions
- Whom you hear?
- With whom you interact?
- What do you say?
- Determine how (if at all) you are challenging the narrative and how yours is being challenged
- Decide where and how you need to work “outside the fence” to grow independently and foster growth in others around you
Editor’s Note:
By the time this newsletter goes out, we will have completed our first college visit with my oldest son. He is a high school senior and we’re visiting a nearby campus. I expect there to be some nostalgia (and some “dust-in-the-eyes” moments), but it is exciting to see your kids taking steps toward independence.
If you are past this time, be on the lookout as I am sure I’ll have more questions to ask. If you are just getting started on the journey with kids, I’d be happy to share things that worked (and the bigger list of things that didn’t). 🙂
If you are at that earlier stage, be sure to enjoy it (even the parts that aren’t as fun). Time seems to crawl in some excruciating moments, but it ultimately passes before you know it!
Regardless of their age, be sure to tell your kids (and others who are important to you) that you love them and support them. There are plenty of voices telling them otherwise so make sure yours is consistently being that message you want them to hear.
John added a 2nd hour to the show this week for the first time. In that second hour, he focused on Landlording which is an important skill for those interested in Real Estate. Unlike commissions in a sales arrangement or profits on the sale of our house, long-term residual income from ownership and management of Real Estate rentals should be a part of your investment strategy.
You can check out a replay of the most recent episode at this link.
Note:
John publishes a Landlord Survival Guide for Georgia if you would like to learn best practices around the topic. You can get it at this link.
Here are a few other things that I have caught my eye this week! I included a quick synopsis, but I would love to hear your thoughts on them as well!
Google My Business Setup
If you have not setup your Google My Business account, this is a key step in your Local SEO efforts. Through this, you can attract attention as well as focus on getting reviews and building trust for those researching your business. Once completed, you can start building your wider SEO strategies.
Note: If you’ve got questions or looking to develop a strategy for your business, feel free to shoot me an email so we can chat. I’m happy to redirect you to some additional resources (or help get your strategy in place).
SEO Automation Tools
If you are looking for tools to improve your website SEO, check out this post. It is not an exhaustive list and there are others (like Ubersuggests) which I recommend, but getting started and improving your site’s ability to satisfy user queries is the first step.
Remember – While rankings are the measure, they are not your objective! Focus on creating content that satisfies user questions & needs, traffic will come!
Getting Started With Paid Social Media Marketing
This post from Entrepreneur is a good starting point if you are interested in starting a paid-traffic campaign on social media platforms. Focus on your audience, objectives, goals, and budget first and the technical aspects are things that you can learn along the way (or get an agency like us to help you).
For details, you can check out this link.
Beware Facebook Ads Scramming Grows
As we approach the holidays especially in our current Covid-19 dominated environment, scams and fraud are an unfortunate reality. As noted in the article, we have already nearly equaled the level of 2019 losses due to fraud on social media. Take the time to get acquainted with the different scam patterns so that you can protect yourself and your family.
One important practice that I suggest is to follow up and research additional supporting material to ensure that the individuals and companies with whom you are doing business are legitimate. These are definitely moments where you want to do your homework and avoid getting manipulated by too-good-to-be-true opportunities or artificial time constraints. Yes, you will miss some of the “best” deals, but you are unlikely to fall victim to most of the “worst” ones!
Be sure to add a comment or send me an email if you find a link that you’d like to see here.
