Month: February 2021

“There is a prevailing quest to live a balanced life, but ironically doing so tends to throw things out of whack. Why? Because balance is not possible, nor is it the most productive philosophy. People beat themselves up trying to obtain balance, but in the end, all they end up with is burnout..”
-Gary Keller

The middle of February already?! Where did the time go?
 
More than a month into 2021. How are you doing on your annual plans?  New Years Resolutions? 2021 Goals? Are you overwhelmed by taking on too much or unexcited because you didn’t take on enough?
 
There are 11 months left in the year, if you are off track, make this week(end) the intervention…a lot easier to course correct now!  
 
We hit the ground running in 2021 and despite knowing taking on too much is a recipe for failure, we err on the side of overloading and let things shake out because despite our best plans, the environment, and our clients, get a vote! Personally, I set out for an ambitious schedule of two-a-day workouts and “dry January”, and while I hate to admit, I wasn’t perfect. But perfection isn’t the goal, progress is. 
 
It’s been a great start to the year but as we head into February, I can see the potential for burnout – with our team and with my Family. I am sure I am not alone. Pile on top of a heavy workload, raising kids during COVID in the winter months of the Northeast – you have yourself a recipe for burnout AND boredom. 
 
Here are some tips to find your balance, breakthrough boredom, and avoid burnout.
 
Get Creative! COVID is challenging our ability to be creative at work and especially at home. Staying away from the TV and finding other ways to spend quality time as a family is important. Last weekend we took a long drive to the Jersey Shore for a change of scenery, tonight we are “camping in” – s’mores and sleeping bags in the basement.  Here are some ideas for fun things to do inside with the family.  
 
Early to Bed, Early to Rise. You know how that old saying goes, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Who doesn’t want to be healthy, wealthy, and wise?! If you are like me, I find myself the most creative and motivated during the morning hours before the kids are up and the office opens. If you tend to stay up late and hit that snooze button a few too many times in the morning, I challenge you to get to bed earlier, wake up earlier, and spend some time doing something for yourself in the morning – yoga/meditation, reading, working out. Check out this book for a great morning routine.  
 
Make a New Resolution.  I get it, January got away from you. It seems counter-intuitive to be adding MORE to your plate if you are already feeling overloaded. BUT – maybe you fell off your resolution, start again! Start smaller. Maybe you thought you could read a book/day, how about 1/month. Maybe you thought you could get to the gym every morning, how about 3 times/week? Smaller goals have the power to compound. It is not too late to make progress – you still have 11 months left in the year!
 
One more thought on boredom…I know we are all fatigued of this COVID lifestyle and boredom can be real. Also, remember that pre-COVID hectic life. Embrace the boredom as best you can.  

BJ Kraemer, President

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.”
-Lou Holtz

Super Bowl Sunday has always been a fun day in our family.  My Dad, who is just shy of 65, played football through college and to this day continues to look like a linebacker (the size genes skipped me) and leads like a football coach. Today, February 5th, we celebrate his birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!

With his football upbringing and his birthday in early February, there is always a lot of fun to be had with the family. Despite COVID’s impact on the NFL season, we are still planning to celebrate the game and “Papa Bear’s” birthday on Sunday because what is more Philadelphia than seeing your former coach take his team to the Super Bowl 2 years in a row?

With the Super Bowl going on this weekend, I’ve been thinking about two things – the Superdome and Super Teams (SPOILER ALERT – we are building one! Click here to apply). 

1. Superdome?!  I know, I know, the Super Bowl is in Tampa this year. But do you remember the 2013 Super Bowl when the Baltimore Ravens were SMOKING the San Fransisco 49ers and all of a sudden the power went out at the stadium?!?! All I could do was text a good friend of mine who was the VP of Facilities at the Georgia Dome and say “So glad that is not you!”. His response, “My worst nightmare!”. Unsung heroes of all major events are the facilities and logistics teams, right? No one appreciates all of the behind the scenes planning, design, coordinating, break down, construction, utilities, power requirements, etc., etc., until a power outage almost ends a game – or worse – changes the outcome! Ravens lost their mojo, 49ers ended up coming back, but luckily (for the facilities guys) the Ravens held on for the win. Thanks to all of the A/E/C teams out there for making the little things happen behind the scenes, so we can achieve big wins and results!
2. Super Teams. How do you build a Super Bowl-winning team? You need a great QB and a great RB, a great receiving core, a great O-Line, a great rushing defense, a great Linebacker corps, great Special Teams, and a great Head Coach, great coordinators, and, and, and…it TAKES A TEAM, right?! A team of GREAT PEOPLE. But why does one player or coach work out in one organization but not another? Systems and cultures, that’s why. Chemistry matters. Culture matters. Not everyone was made for every team and not every great player will perform for every great coach. The talent acquisition, integration, cultivation, and development process starts early in the NFL – with scouting and the NFL Combine. There are books and experts galore on Human Capital and Strategic HR and Talent Acquisition. This is hard, complicated stuff (the Eagles can’t even get it right), but in order to build great teams, we need great people. So, we are asking you to tell 10 friends and hopefully, they can tell 10 friends, that MCFA is a pretty special place to work and WE NEED GREAT PEOPLE. We have a strong core team and we need to build upon it. Interested? Read more here. 

BJ Kraemer, President