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Tuesday, June 30 2020
 Man! How are you? What's new? What is your next move: at work? at home? in life? What goals are you working towards that are pushing you right now? I'm interested to know and would love to be a sounding board for you as you undertake that.
It's easy to get lost in the sea of muck around us and forget our way. It's easy to succumb to the pressures and pleasures of the world and forget who you are and your purpose. I'm here to tell you don't do it! Don't settle!! Don't throw your hands up and be done with it, your wife, your kids, your work, your life...don't give up. Keep moving forward even if it's one inch of an opportunity.
Action item: Delete Instagram from your phone. I DID a few days ago...its AMAZING!
I started these Monday pieces as a way to get you motivated to take action and make positive changes in your life and the lives of those around you. As I've continued on this journey it's come to my mind that if I only try to motivate you 99% of Mondays this email will fall on deaf ears. Motivation only occurs when we are in the 'right' frame of mind. And let's get real motivation is fleeting at best...the real magic is in the little actions you make that create a bigger impact in your life and those around you. Adopting micro-actions or habits that spur you to the better things. The word habits is over-used and over-played but actions, little don't think about them actions, can be a catalyst for positive interactions and fulfilling a purpose.
Ideally if you could be a 1% better you each day, at the end of the year you'd be 365% better...not 100% but rather 365%...I don't know about you but that seems achievable and doable. I am almost certain I can find something in my life to be 1% better at each day. It starts with being the man God created me to be daily, loving my wife without condition, and then realizing my kids owe me nothing and that they are my responsibility until they are not and only we can educate and get them to that point, treating my employees will truth and kindness, and showing grace and mercy to all those I get to be in contact with. Piece of cake thisi s why I am here!
HERO STATUS
So with that as our backdrop I ask you the following question, who's the hero of your story? YOU of course. Do you believe that? Have you lived that way? Think about all the wonderful movies and books about heros and their stories. The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Rocky, Ricky Bobby, Superman, Batman, all Heros, all needed redemption all broken and rise up.
Have you thought about your story? Have you considered what makes up who you are? How you were parented, your siblings, your friends, the school you went to, where you placed your belief systems, or currently place them. How did all this shape you? How much of it is bogus and how much of it is really you?
Have you let things you had no control over shape you farther than they should?
HERO STATUS?!
As men we typically do not want to take the time to understand our story, I certainly do not. But as I age and tell more of the story and live more of the story I can debunk the stuff that shouldn't matter, I can embrace the stuff that should shape me and I can let go of the things out of my control. Thus rightfully placing me in the spot of my story where I was intended, here and now, present. You cannot be anyone else's hero but your own. You should not strive to be anyone else's hero but your own. Your kids will invariably look to you as such, don't let them, they will be looking to a broken man, who needs redemption and grace and one who is unworthy of being that for them. Trust me, I want nothing more than to be the hero for my wife and little girls. It's not my job. My job is husband, dad, confidant, protector, provider, model of virtues and vision and fruits of the spirit but not hero.
The minute someone else becomes our hero we've abdicated our God-given authortity of our story to someone else...Charles Barkley had it right. He said I am not a role model. What he really was saying is I am not your son's or daughter's hero. That is their job and something they need to live into and be. You get to equip your kid to be their own hero. Ripples for days!!
HERO STATUS?!
This all leads to: Mindset. Mindset matters. Mindset matters more than anything else. Once you've chosen to have the proper mindset the rest will start to fall into place.
The correct mindset is the one that aligns you to live into your God-given purpose in the here and now, with who you are with, utilizing your full abilities.
For instance, my friend Matt is working harder than ever to fulfill his purpose and make it happen. Grinding day after day to fulfill all his roles so that his Endeavor is fulfilled to the best of his ability. The rewards he's received the last year know no bounds!
When things are too much of a struggle and you keep getting shot down and pushed aside, you need to pivot and align properly. Take your quiet time and get some answers. My friend jeff is dealing with that and he's pivoting, starting a new business, making new relationships and making it happen.
Here are two men deciding to focus on their MINDSET, alter their course to ALIGN themselves with their abilities and talents and make it happen.
HERO STATUS?!
What are you allowing your mind to do other than fulfill being the hero of your story? Are you allowing past failures to lead to future ones? Are you not living into your purpose?
Want to take it to the next level? How do you do that?
Here are this weeks Action Items:
- Think about, Meditate, Ruminate on your story
- Get a journal and begin writing down your story
- Identify the themes, values, principles that make up your story
- Choose which ones to continue
- Choose which ones to leave behind
- Choose which ones you want to add
- Decide how you want your Hero Story to End
- Set priorities to get to your End Story
- On a NoteCard write down 8 Lifetime Goals, keep it in your pocket or on your mirror...
- Share all this with your wife, she’ll help you achieve these items
Keep on Endeavoring, Keep on Adventuring...
Don't Fear That Day!
Jonathan
Tuesday, June 23 2020
 MEN! Good Monday to you. I sincerely hope that you were able to find some time to enjoy your family this weekend. Or better yet be humbled enough to accept their love and adoration for you. NEVER underestimate the importance of your role in their lives! In fact, the most impactful thing a Man will do is marry and raise a family. That bears repeating, the most impactful thing you will do on Earth is to marry and raise a family. Hey, no pressure there right!
Think about how much your wife and kids adore you and love you.
Do you realize their day rises and sets upon you and how you treat them and love them (especially daughters)? It's written on their hearts. They can't help it, it's part of how they were created.
You want kids that know love and how to work within society? You teach them, verbally and in actions.
You want them to know how marriage and relationships are supposed to be? Love your wife with all your heart and soul as if you were loving yourself, now you'll see some magic happen.
Let me clear up part of this. When I say LOVE, I'm not talking about ooey-gooey middle school love. I"m talking about work your ass off, provide like no other, take a bullet for you, LOVE. The only love a man understands for those in his care, the only love that comes with knowing that the impact and RIPPLES of the next generation can be greater than now.
Do you want to change the world? BE A DAD. A dad that's present, loving, caring, strong, disciplined, encouraging, positive, willing to stand up for what's right and wrong in objective truth...the dad that says no because where your daughter's friends are going isn't the best place for her. The dad that teaches his boy that purity is for men as well as women. That's a dad, that's a man. That's what you do, that's who you want to be.
YOUR MOST IMPACTFUL LIFE ROLE
One of my favorite stories about my father in law is the night he tracked my wife down when she was in high school. My wife, as wonderful as she is, was not always on the straight and narrow. In fact, neither was I. One night in high school she had told her parents she was doing a sleepover at one house when in reality she was at a party at another house. Just because her track record was suspect her dad was a little leery. Halfway through the night the phone rings and one of her friends asks to speak to her. Her dad answers and says, I thought she was staying at your house tonight...BUSTED! He quickly had the girl fess up and found out where the party was.
In a flash, he was out the door to that party! He banged on the door until it was opened grabbed his daughter and her friends, escorted them all home to safety, and let them go to bed. The next day he had a talk with her...
Do you see what he taught her? He taught her that she is worth fighting for! He taught her that no matter how insignificant she thought her actions were he loved her more. He stepped up and stepped out as a man and took care of his family.
Is there any doubt that he is absolutely 100% sold out for his family in love and with that comes stability that overcomes many things.
Would you have the courage to do this?
Do your wife and kids know their worth in your eyes?
Why haven't you stepped up for your family this way? Its never too late to start. Now would be the best time to do so.
Action item: Have a teenager or pre-teen? sit down with them and explain that you want to know them and you want them to know you. Start sharing your hopes and dreams for them and the things you dreamed of for yourself at that age. Trust me you'll have a great chat.
YOUR MOST IMPACTFUL LIFE ROLE
There are two things about this role of Dad and Man that are troublesome to me.
First, it is way too short of a time. I know, I know they are our kids forever but did you know that when your kid turns 18 you have spent 80% of the time with you will ever have during your lifetime with them. Unless you helicopter them and make them dependent on you, which we dont want to do...Carpe Diem with those kids...and include your wife!
Action items: Read to your kids at least one night a week (try for more), teach them a hobby or topic that interests you that you may have in common, take them on a 'date' or outing at least once a month, go for a walk with them after dinner (creating space creates time for conversation).
Secondly, it is highly troublesome how dads are portrayed in our society. Its an absolute joke and travesty that dads are made to look like buffoons and near-do-wells in most of popular culture. This started years and years ago, for my generation its Al Bundy, Homer Simpson and the like. Only Bill Cosby had any sense about him but he was always 'getting in trouble' from Claire his wife. Nowadays it's Blackish and Modern Family and on and on and on. It's even in the Berenstein Bear books!!! C'mon really!
You are not a buffoon nor a near-do-well. You are a hard-working, provider, who loves and cares for his wife and kids very deeply regardless of the situation. You will do anything to make it happen for them. DONT STOP!! They may never tell you but you'll know, you'll know.
YOUR MOST IMPACTFUL ROLE
Men, my heart is filled with love and joy for you. It's filled with gratitude for the intentional and deliberate relationships you are forging with your wives and children. Its never too late to start, its never too late to create new habits, and its never too late to have traditions that are meaningful and impactful.
When you come home from work tomorrow, put down the phone, make eye contact with each family member, hug them, tell them you love them, ask them how you can serve them and revel in that moment.
After all, as a man that's also what we want from our dads...we may not have gotten from our earthly fathers what we can do for our kids but we WILL get it from our Heavenly Father one day. And wouldn't it be amazing to make any change to our generational shortcomings now so when our time comes we hear “Well done my Son!" that we all so desperately crave...
ACTION ITEMS:
- Tell your wife and kids they are good and they are loved and you are proud of who they are...
- Monthly one-on-one activities with each of them
- When they reach milestone birthdays have traditions that cement their growing place in life
- age 10 weekend trip away with you within driving distance, have them plan the place and activities...
- Rites of Passage that all family members want to participate in as they get to certain ages
- Tell them you want to KNOW them and you want them to KNOW you
- Create a journal of letters and affirmations for them to have when they go away to college, include stories of their childhood
- ADVENTURE: Show them some adventure annually, its your job to do so
I could go on and on and on.
Man, be the Dad your kid needs and the husband your wife deserves!
Don't Fear that Day!
Jonathan
Monday, June 15 2020
 WHOA!!! This roller coaster of time would be the most fierce coaster ever in the history of theme parks, if the FDA, CDC, WHO and any other acronym you can name would ever approve of it.
This life is not for the faint of heart! But that's okay, you are NOT faint of heart! You are a man, made for times just like this. Made to rise to the occasion and conquer any obstacle in your way. It may be slow going at first but you can do it, slow down, get your quiet time in, plan, prepare, practice and take bold unabashed action.
This time, this place, you were made for this! You can do it, keep chopping, keep chipping away! A little each day of the attributes below and you'll get your mind and heart aligned to conquer the task at hand.
Two is One, and One is None
My brothers who have been in the service of our country will recognize this heading as one of preparedness and having proper planning. It comes from the Navy Seals and quite simply means you better have backups and backups to backups because you don't know what will happen tomorrow BUT you can be prepared for changes if you slow down and look around and think and plan ahead.
After 20 years of planning, re-planning and planning some more with business owners and families, then executing financial and life plans for people of all ages this adage speaks truer now than ever before. There's something about speaking with the widow, the retiree, the business owner who had to lay off employees to know that the best laid plans are just that. We always need a backup.
What they do though is give us some framework to pivot and shift when it's time to do so.
Two is One, and One is None
My oldest child has wanted to baby-sit other kids since she was 4 years old. She wrote a business model for a 'mothers-helper' business 2 summers ago. She has been planning for years to take this task on and be a success in it.
Last week she got her chance! Our neighbor who has 4 kids, 4 and under (I'm pretty sure it's crazier there then the covid/riot streets of downtown Richmond) had her over to be her 'mothers-helper' for the morning. Needless to say she was over the moon.
But here's the kicker, she didn't just go over and help out.
She created 5 activities to keep in her backpack to entertain the kids with. And not only did she put those activities in her bag she PRACTICED making them before she went to verify they would work for the kids...she PRACTICED making the crafts prior to her visit to ensure their success.
When's the last time you did something like that? How many times do you practice prior to your meetings or events? Time with your wife? Activities that require skill, prior to doing them?
Two is One and One is None
Keep in mind here, I'm talking about practical, tactical planning. The kind of planning that says hey I'm going camping so maybe I need a lighter and some matches and for good measure some fat wood and a fire log just in case.
The good news is this is just the exact type of planning that God created men for, we love to be prepared for things. Even when sometimes we don't know or think we need to be. In fact each time we aren't prepared builds on itself for the next time and the next time. Pretty soon we've packed as much as our wife for the next vacation all in the name of Two is One, and One is None...
Who carries a handkerchief? A knife? chapstick? What's in your EDC?
How many redundancies have you built into your life and business to make sure you run smoothly? We have clouds and hard drives and flash drives and...
One of my favorite screwups was in my second year in business. I was working with a CFO of a larger engineering firm on some executive level benefit packages. Not only did we not click, he was an effusive planner and preparer. At that time, I was not. Needless to say while the job got done, I learned an important lesson. He dropped a choice phrase on me I'll never forget: Poor Planning Produces Poor Results (with some other choice P-words in there). My, what a great lesson and timing to learn it. I'll tell you what I'll never forget and it's not only shaped my business but also my personal life.
Two is One, and One is None
So in this day and age of uncertainty and turmoil (this is always the case without God around and we are left to our own devices) what are some actions you can take to be prepared? What things have you been neglecting doing that needs to be done, today? Tomorrow?
What is your backup plan in the event the following happens:
- School does not start on time?
- School is online only? Or cancelled?
- Riots continue for months and months?
- We have a pandemic? Seriously you don't think there will be one of these every 5 or so years moving forward.
- You get a new job opportunity?
- You find out you're having another baby?
- Your church won't start meeting again?
Men! It is your job to be prepared. It is your job to shepherd and steward your family, your resources, it is your job to provide Leadership For Your Journey. If you need help get it. If you need a band of brothers create one. If you need a friend, get two. Just make it happen.
Lets vow to be prepared and planned.
Actions for this week:
- Take your wife out to dinner and talk with your wife about the back up plan for your family (jobs/living/school/etc); she'll be thrilled she's not alone in thinking about these things.
- Find the church that is meeting and go.
- Plan your schedule out 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time. Pivot as needed but know that you have some normalcy and don't have to be at the whim of everything that happens this minute.
- Read the book or books you've been putting off because you're consumed with social media and the news. Don't worry the crazy naked guy in CHAZ will still be there when you come back.
- Participate in life-giving and life-affirming activities that build toward the changed future you desire. Now that's planning!
Two is One, and One is None
Happy Monday to you and yours. Stay safe out there. If you need anything, I am serious, If you need anything call me. If I can help I will, If not I can find someone to support you asap. You are not alone, you are made for this, it will all work out for the best. The battle is won!
Don't Fear That Day!
Jonathan Kennedy Jr.
Building forward:
Attributes of an Endeavoring Man: 1. Decide you are FOR something and not against it...I am FOR...this will set your sights on positive values and emotions. 2. Make sure you have quiet time for you with God or to meditate, you need this for peace of mind. 3. Pulse check with your family at least once a week. You cannot lead your troops if you dont know where their hearts and minds are! 4. The only disability is a POOR attitude! 5. If you dont use it, you'll lose it!!...MOVE and pick up something HEAVY Daily! 6. Play to your strengths, thats why God's given them to you! 7. Go big, make a splash and create RIPPLES that survive more generations than your own. 8. Run Your Race and only Your Race 9. Plan to be Prepared: Two is One, and One is None
**Definition of Endeavor: to strive, toil, work towards something; Endeavoring the Act of striving, toiling, working towards something of value to you and those you love;
Endeavoring Men: are those that are striving and toiling to be the best they can be, to maximize opportunities, to grow in brotherhood with one another, to be held accountable to a higher standard of life, that leaves a legacy, first and foremost at home and then our community and understands this life is not about us...not about us…Glorifying the Creator.
Jonathan E. Kennedy Jr.
Founder/President
Endeavor Capital, LLC
Tuesday, June 02 2020
 Happy Monday to you and yours. I pray that you are safe and sound. I pray that each of you is having constructive conversations with your wife, children and fellow brothers about the situation we are presently find ourselves.
I knew at some point we would have riots in the streets, I thought it would be about a lack of food and medical care not murder and mayhem. This result of a fallen world and battle for the hearts and minds of us and those that we care about is exhausting. Slow down, man-up, decide what you're rooted in (hopefully The Word) take a deep breath and realize its already been decided and this is For our Good, I promise there will be Good from this.
Okay, MEN who haven't sent this to SPAM yet: I AM FOR YOU! GOD IS FOR YOU! Your wife and kids are for you!!! I'm serious dont forget these truths, they will help you in tumultuous times. You are loved, cared for and this too shall pass. If you need an ear, shoulder or voice let me know, if its not me I'll connect you to the correct man. Draw on the strength of your band of brothers.
How are you living your life??? Wait What?!? I'm trying to survive crisis after crisis you say. Thats our present affliction but not our constant one.
So, How are you living your life???
We can Endeavor to live to a life of Success or a Life of Significance.
Life of Success means we strive for: Wealth, Achievement, Status
Life of Significance means we strive for: Generosity, Service, Relationships
I ask again, How are you Living your life?
You see the life of significance is the path less traveled but most richly blessed. The life of significance ensures you solid standing and footing with those who matter most in your life (you may not see this currently). The life of significance is one not about you but about the Ripples you can make with those you care about, the people in your home, your community, your church, your work, and eventually the world. Change starts with you it takes the form of knowing what you live for: Generosity, Service, Relationships.
There are 5 key areas to a Life of Significance: Your Family Life, Your Physical Life, Your Spiritual Life, Your Work Life and Your Social Life
Think of each as a finger on your hand. If one of these areas is lacking then the hand cannot function, you cannot function and your IMPACT and Attitude and everything you care about will suffer because of it.
I know this I am living proof. Seriously, at any given time I have a deficit in each of those areas and I have to catch myself and correct it.
The world wants you focused on Success, the world wants you distracted from what matters most, the world wants you to watch it burn because it takes you from Generosity, Service, Relationships:
So I implore you to be a man, able to stem the tide, able to rise above and pursue your LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE: Generosity, Service, Relationships, Love. Start at home, work, your community and show LOVE to others, smile at the checkout lady, wave to the cars passing by, invest in someone that you see daily but may not always register with, choose to be significant in the lives of the ones you are in contact with on a daily basis!
I dont know about you but it seems this is just the exact moment for us to do this. What this world needs are MEN willing to choose significance over success. To say yes to wife, kids, brothers, community, family and no to the outlandish pressures and needling of this broken world.
Live your Life of Significance, with boldness, gusto, vim and vigor! Make it happen be what those around you need today, YOU CAN DO IT I TRUST YOU TO DO IT! You were made for this time, its not by accident.
Til next Monday!
Don't Fear the Day,
Jonathan Kennedy Jr
Building forward:
Attributes of an Endeavoring Man: 1. Decide you are FOR something and not against it...I am FOR...this will set your sights on positive values and emotions. 2. Make sure you have quiet time for you with God or to meditate, you need this for peace of mind. 3. Pulse check with your family at least once a week. You cannot lead your troops if you dont know where their hearts and minds are! 4. The only disability is a POOR attitude! 5. If you dont use it, you'll lose it!!...MOVE and pick up something HEAVY Daily! 6. Play to your strengths, thats why God's given them to you! 7. Go big, make a splash and create RIPPLES that survive more generations than your own. 8. Lives a Life of Significance: Generosity, Service, Relationships, Love.
**Definition of Endeavor: to strive, toil, work towards something; Endeavoring the Act of striving, toiling, working towards something of value to you and those you love;
Endeavoring Men: are those that are striving and toiling to be the best they can be, to maximize opportunities, to grow in brotherhood with one another, to be held accountable to a higher standard of life, that leaves a legacy, first and foremost at home and then our community and understands this life is not about us...not about us. |
