ThePivot2020

ThePIVOT2o2o begins October 1, 2020.

“Be prepared and be honest.”
– John Wooden, American coach (1910 – 2010)

Admittedly–and I think I speak for all of us–our families, our Circle, our Tribe, our lives, and our businesses have been turned ‘on a dime’ in early 2020 by the COVID pandemic.  Our 2020 Business Plans morphed into day to day, week to week, month to month of ‘how to’s – and we all learned along this journey that our day to day way of conducting our businesses and how we had to adjust to an ever changing marketplace was daunting.   All along this 2020 journey, I was daily thankful for God’s provision that He allowed our business to be ‘built’ for this–step by step over these now 20+ years, His hand was at work.  He led in spite of me–in spite of all my strategic blunders, missteps and shortcomings–and there have been many.  He gave me a Team, a Tribe, a Circle of core brilliant associates and strategic creative partners (many of them still with me decades later) that made me look like our slogan – ‘Not just simple, Simply Brilliant’ beyond any hopes or dreams I may have had.  And He gave us a valued client base who believed in our creative vision and loyally stood with us, recommended and referred us time after time.  So here we are October 2020.  Is it time for your business to pivot–modify or change direction, adapt or adjust your marketing strategy–or just talk through and strategize together how we finish out 2020 and pivot 2021 planning to what we know here and now. What’s next?  Reboot.  Pause. Pivot.  I can and welcome to help you do just that.  The legendary UCLA coach John Wooden had a saying – ‘Be prepared and be honest.”  Let’s do this together.

Just Smile.

A Charlie Chaplin classic best vocally remembered by the extraordinary Nat King Cole for this Friday morning. #justsmile Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though it’s breaking When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by. If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You’ll see the sun… Read more »

You’ve Got A Friend

A nostalgic ‘sleep pockets only’ kind of night here at West Court–a lot on my mind and my heart–thus the ‘sleep pockets’. Stacked some 70’s classic vinyl on the old victrola–including Carole King’s 1971 Tapestry (and a lot of Karen Carpenter and Bread… . And my favorite song from that album–a James Taylor classic.. Remembering… Read more »

Prayer of St. Francis

A gently modified version for our Monday of The Prayer of St. Francis–and a thought to ponder…we can never look into the eyes of someone that our God does not love. I am forever grateful that He didn’t give up on me. How about you? #MondayMotivation Lord, make me a channel of your peace. That… Read more »

Amen.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us… Read more »

God is Faithful.

God was faithful yesterday. God is faithful today. God will be faithful tomorrow.

Hope Is

Hope is strength. And courage. Hope is unbreakable. And brave. Hope brings healing. And peace. And empathy. And more hope. Which brings more strength, and grace and patience and faith and kindness and strength… and through it all, it carries love. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these… Read more »

I Need Thee

I need Thee ev’ry hour, Most gracious Lord. No tender voice like thine Can peace afford. I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Ev’ry hour I need thee! Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to Thee! – Annie S. Hawks, 1835–1918

Solid Rock Standing

One of my favorite church congregational anthems. #SolidRockStanding “My hope is built on nothing less. Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame. But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.” Eyes on Jesus…. Read more »

God is There

Even when we don’t ‘feel’ like God is still there with us, He is. In the times we think He’s left us and we’re all alone because we can’t feel His presence, He’s still right there. He hears our cries, and He’s saying, ‘Sweet child, I’m right here. I haven’t left you and never will.’… Read more »

Just one second.

It only takes a second to say – I love you. – I’m sorry. – I appreciate you. – I was wrong. – You were right. – Forgive me. – I miss you. and to sincerely ask – How are you? Just one second. Prayers for so many today–please be safe and vigilant for each… Read more »

It Will Be Happier.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.’” – Alfred Lord Tennyson, English poet (1809-1892)

A Stable & A Manger

A stable. Wooden manger. An exhausted new mother. A terrified first-time father, unsure of his fresh role. Before the quest for the perfect holiday, there was a journey. A faithfully fearful passage. Full of eager anticipation. Following the guidance of an angel. By the light of an unmistakable star. Straight toward prophesied uncertainty. Before the… Read more »

Exhausted and Overwhelmed

Before the shepherds come running, before anyone shows up with gifts, there’s just Mary, exhausted from childbirth, and Joseph, overwhelmed by the task in front of him, and the Baby, the Baby that changes everything. When we are exhausted and overwhelmed, God sustains us and reminds us of the true meaning of the season. Forgive… Read more »

Touchdown Trevor

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! #ALLIN2020 #TouchdownTrevor

Let It Be

‘And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me Shinin’ until tomorrow, let it be. I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper… Read more »

The Greatest Gift

Two thoughts for this Tuesday – the greatest gift God has given us in His love for us – and even though He knows our worst, He sent us His best. Please be prayerful–so many critically battling COVID and breaks my heart – please, please be mindful and vigilant – lives depend on it. Love… Read more »

Keep On

A whiteboard message for all of us this first day of December 2020. Keep On. The world needs you…the world needs us. 2021 is coming.  #KeepOn

Peace, Love Clemson

“Always remember, the goals that we have achieved pale in comparison to the daily commitments it took to get there.” – Dabo Swinney, American coach (1969-Present) Happy belated Birthday Dabo. Welcome back Trevor. Go Tigers @ Tallahassee today at high Noon. #ALLIN2020

Stay Close

Stay close to the people who feel like the sun at golden hour; Who water what is withering in you; Who fan the embers of what is burning out; Who whisper your name in God’s ears. #thankfulgratefulblessed

Sgt. Conley Jumper

“He did what he needed to do to stop evil… He did that because he came from a place of love.” I had the humbly distinct honor of meeting and interacting with Sgt. Conley Jumper at Appreciation Breakfasts during my 2016-2019 tenure @ LEADGreenville and 2018-2019 at HighFiveCrew community events. The one image that is… Read more »

A Previous Privilege

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman leader (121-180)

Vision and Action

Vision without Action is merely a dream. Action without Vision just passes the time. Vision with Action can change the world. – Joel A. Barker