August 2025:Beyond Mediocrity Newsletter
August 2025
Beyond Mediocrity
August is a tricky month to negotiate. Long, hot days lull us into deceptive complacency. August is confusing. Since childhood, a part of me yearned for an endless summer full of patio cookouts and long afternoons swimming in our pond. On the other hand, there was the excitement of going back to school, getting new books and buying Fall clothes. It is important to stay focused during August if we want to stick to our “Beyond” theme for 2025, which involves “pulling out all the stops.” Be cognizant of the fact that we only have four months left to finish strong in 2025.
What Have You Left Undone?
Ben Dean, founder of The Mentor Coach Program, taught us that successful people were agile with their ability to telescope back and forth between the past, present and future. You don’t want to get stuck in one dimension. Successful people reminisce and learn from the past while juggling being in the present and planning the future. August screams for this mental dexterity. August demands a mix of contemplating and reaching out to others. Let’s use what we’ve learned during introspection, plus insights we’ve gained from meaningful connections to ramp up for a terrific Fall.
What People Are Your Most Outstanding Connections?
For instance, I’ve been working on balancing alone time for listening to “Thou Shall Prosper,” by Daniel Lapin. Plus, I'm making a conscious effort to reconnect with old friends and relatives to discover the wisdom to move “Beyond” my past and into a bright, new future. August is the time to tie up “loose ends.” By loose ends, I mean the painful projects you've been procrastinating on, like de-cluttering papers, photos and mementos. It’s hard to reflectively plan for a new future and develop new systems when you're haunted by ghosts lurking right in your desk, closets and cabinets.
What Ghosts Are in Your Closet?
There needs to be room (both literally and figuratively) to develop and refine new, more efficient systems. Some quiet time and rest have helped me envision what needs to happen with systems in my business network, BNI, Business Network International, and in my own business and personal routines. I’ve developed some fresh, new ideas to help my business clients with their hiring, on-boarding and management systems. As always, these new systems need to arise from, and be congruent with, the core values at BNI and my own Judeo –Christian world view. August is the time to flesh out the vision of the systems. I am very excited to put these ideas to practice in my own life, BNI, and my client's businesses so we can truly go “Beyond “in the last third of 2025.
What Exciting Visions Do You Have?
The process I’m talking about can be used by anyone, at any age, who wants to move forward in life and make a difference. The first step is to establish some alone time. Do some soul-searching to evaluate what’s gone well and what didn’t go well so far as this year. This may be painful, but be brutally honest with yourself so that you can have a learning experience. Honestly, I can see that I wasted a lot of my time brooding and having pity parties. The next step is to clear the deck for a happier future. You may need to declutter--not just your desk--but possibly your social calendar and some obligations you might have outgrown. After a good purge, it's important to interact with other people. This time, listen more and talk less. Discover how other people are managing the same challenges you have. Observe how they reached goals that you aspire to. Get a fresh perspective.
Who Could Be a Role Model?
When the process gets rough, turn to your inner strength and identity your own core values. To develop more strength and wisdom, I listen to Daniel Lapin, author of “Thou Shall Prosper.” Daniel Lapin explains that everyone should strive to develop leadership skills. He explains that you need leadership skills, whether you are in business, an employee, or a family member. He points out that leaders display determination, confidence, courage and optimism. You will certainly need these strengths as you move from self-examination and learning from mentors into developing and refining the systems and routines for your life and businesses. As a business coach, I am working quietly behind the scenes in August to lead my clients and BNI members to move “Beyond” mediocrity into a fulfilling and fascinating finish to 2025.
How Could You Become the Leader You Want to Be?
Come and visit my consulting retreat in Buffalo if you need a “revival. “Freshly mowed hayfields and grazing horses will put you in a peaceful, prayerful mood to plan your future.
https://evolve.com/vacation-rentals/us/mo/buffalo/462541?queryID=2c2f70dd5b526a4ad69f3561a0e8645d
https://evolve.com/vacation-rentals/us/mo/buffalo/462542?queryID=2c2f70dd5b526a4ad69f3561a0e8645d
Originally posted by Coaching for Success via Locable