Oct 23rd, 2024

Happy Hump Day! Here is your weekly encouragement to always provide in your life. Here is a secret: I write to myself as a reminder as well:) Let's provide better together.

1 big thing: Keep Swinging for the Fences with Joy

Presenting shows off our joy. As part of my work with Bull Benefits, I am presenting a custom health plan to a group of employees this week. This is an example of "swinging for the fences." To learn a new industry, serve others well, make sales, produce results, learn some more, and do all of this while being a positive light.

Encouragement pops up more when you take big swings. I've been fortunate to have quality time with friends and mentors the last couple of weeks. When I shared the "big swings" professionally, they immediately shared timely encouragement:

Then, another quote:

• Why it matters: I would not have received these quotes without connecting with friends and mentors. This is a reminder to keep sharing my work with others. Whether to work of The CL Thomas Fellowship, Bull Benefits, the podcast, this newsletter, etc. It seems growth comes from sharing.
• This newsletter is a personal nudge. As I said in the opening, it is a reminder to figure out a way to always provide for and honor God, my body, my family, my friends, my business, etc.
• Provider next step: What would swinging for the fences look like in your life? Do it and tell a mentor how it's going.

2. 🎙️ #145 Podcast Released: Mark Collins!

145 Mark Collins on Moving Beyond Habit Formation to Real Transformation. Mark Collins, author of Life Mastery, joined me for a discussion on what it truly means to transform. He is a pastor/coach/author/business guy who reminds me to spend more time in the story of Gideon to appreciate how God calls us into purpose and action.

Listen or watch the video of this episode! Be sure to follow our podcast on your favorite app, and now you can also watch the interview on our CL Thomas Fellowship® YouTube channel.

3. 🏃‍♂️ Always Running & Learning

Running is a great metaphor for life. I received some photos from my last marathon race, and plenty of quotes and advice are peppered throughout these events, such as "Life is a marathon, not a sprint." True and also true is that I learned that I can go alot faster than I ever thought possible in a marathon race. What does this mean? I'm not sure yet-its still a fun memory and lesson I am holding on to. Perhaps that life, like a marathon, can be slow and fast depending on your goals and training.

4. Health Challenge for the Husbands

When we are stressed between work and family responsibility, I saw a great message that I wanted to pass on as well as an alternative from scrolling on social media or eating comfort food:

• Stressed? Run
• Tired? Zone 2 Run
• Angry? VO2 Max Run
• Sad? Trail Run
• Anxious? Tempo Run

So my challenge to the guys is that when you feel these common sensations, from stress to anxiety, try one of these types of runs. Or, if you are more spiritual, read and pray Matthew 6 :) Perhaps a little of each will help us guys work out whatever we need to work out to love and care for our families.

Thank you for investing the time to read this newsletter. More importantly, I hope you invest the time to always provide for yourself and others.

Bless & Protect,

Justin Thomas

p.s.

In between newsletter updates, feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Instagram if you want more updates on my work and career.