CSN Collision’s Post

It's inspiring to see business owners dedicating their time to learning and evolving together. It requires openness, honesty, and transparency, which means being vulnerable enough to acknowledge weaknesses or blind spots and being receptive to others' input for personal growth.

As we approach Memorial Day, I want to share some valuable insights inspired by a recent commencement speech that resonated deeply with me. These lessons can impact our approach to our careers and lives. Let’s take these lessons to heart as we spend time with our loved ones and appreciate the moments we have. You've probably heard, "Nobody ever looks back on their life and wishes they spent more time at the office." Well, that depends on the job. If you hate your job and don’t leave, that’s on you. But if you find work you love, you’ll never regret the time you invest in it. Work can be a source of immense satisfaction and purpose. Here in our team at Bankers Life, we are like worker bees—dedicated, industrious, and essential to the hive. Embrace the beauty and elegance of our work, and find fulfillment in every task you undertake. Effort always yields a positive value, even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for. The act of trying, of putting in the work, is never wasted. Whether it’s crafting the perfect policy, resolving a client’s issue, or analyzing data, give it your all. Just swing the bat and pray. This approach might sound simple, but it’s effective. Dedication and hard work will always move you forward, even through failures and setbacks. In our industry, attention to detail is paramount. Whether reviewing a client’s policy, analyzing market trends, or ensuring compliance, vigilance can make all the difference. Stay alert and mindful of the details. Paying attention not only prevents costly mistakes but also enhances our ability to serve our clients effectively. Let’s remain sharp and diligent, understanding that our attentiveness directly contributes to our success and reputation. Fall in love with what you do, even the small aspects of your job. It’s easy to become passionate about the big wins and significant achievements, but true fulfillment comes from appreciating the day-to-day tasks. We are privileged to work in a field that allows us to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Let’s not shy away from this privilege but use it to its fullest potential. As we take this Memorial Day weekend to honor and remember those who have sacrificed for our country, let’s also cherish the time we have with our loved ones. These moments are precious and fleeting. Spend time with family and friends, share stories, laugh together, and create lasting memories. The lessons we take from our work—dedication, attention, and joy—apply equally to our personal lives. As we strive for excellence in financial services, let’s integrate these principles into our daily routines. Work diligently, stay vigilant, find joy in our tasks, leverage our privileges, and keep our sense of humor. By doing so, we not only achieve professional success but also build a fulfilling and rewarding life. This Memorial Day weekend, let's honor the past, embrace the present, and look forward to a bright future. https://lnkd.in/eekjWSij

A message from our President & CEO:

Count me among the students Judy Brown helped during her 43 years at Watkinson School . As a new educator, here are some #wordsofwisdom I gleaned from Judy's career: 🥉 Keep your humanity front and center. Often, this advice is applied in the context of interacting with students (e.g: see students as human), but I think that it is easier to be human as a student—especially if you happen to be a student with one or more marginalized identity—if the people in power who you interface with (that means educators in all roles) first own their own fallibility—and lives outside of work! An easy way to set these kind of humanity-affirming (and thus healthy) expectations: Explicitly say when you check your emails/other work communications in your email signature, syllabus, or any other student-facing information page. If you, for example, work from 9 to 5 on Mondays through Fridays then, this way, a student who sends an email at 6 PM at Friday KNOWS that you are not blowing them off if you respond at 9 AM on Monday. Another (more fun) way to display your humanity is to have mementos in your office or virtual space, inviting conversation about hobbies and other non-work dimensions of life. (No person is one-dimensional!) 📧 🍋 🥈 Don't forget about SMART goals. At least for me, this is something I tend to slip with as the school year / semester goes on, but they're called SMART goals for a reason! And they're smart for students and educators alike! Start a meeting with discussion of goals named (and preferably written or in some other way made "tangible") last time. End a meeting with articulation of new goals and/or refinement of previously-articulated goals. Ambition is important, but ambition without direction is a recipe for burnout. And victories of any size are revitalizing—and call for celebration! 📋 🔥 In case you need a reminder of what SMART goals are: Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-Based 🥇 Always maintain a curiosity stance. Enter as a co-investigator, not the judge. Combine your expertise (e.g: of a program's GPA requirements, of your class' rules around late work, etc.) with the expertise of the student (e.g: career goals, circumstances that led to work not being completed on-time, etc.). You are on the same team! And even if you do not get the result that you want, there is always a learning experience to be gleaned. 🔎 🧠 What lessons have you learned from retiring educators who touched your life? Please share in this space! 💭 #grateful #reflection #educator

💚Today is #TrentDay, a day that celebrates the founding of Trent University! Tag Trent University Alumni Association in your photos showing your Trent Spirit, act of Service, or Support for students. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBnGUaMF

Proud to be an Alumni of Consumer, Apparel, & Retail Studies Department at UNCG! Congratulations Class of 2024. It's hard to believe that I graduated over 33yrs ago from the "G." I was literally the first Auto-cad Computer class. We literally with the teacher had to figure it out together. That experience taught me that it's not what you know, that always gets you to the next level but that you have the aptitude, inquisitiveness and that you are willing to find a way in the dark. The professor was transparent and admitted that she had not been trained on the program. She thought it was a great display of team effort to create our own mode of operation and push each other into the 21st Century of Tech. Around that same time "Prodigy" was the brain child of Sears and Roebuck company that attempted to move into the age of the internet but they were too early and only had a hint of what was to come. Had they forged that path a little longer they may have become the Amazon of today. Sears formerly was the King of Retail Communication sending out the infamous Christmas Sears & Roebuck catalog every year. They almost remained the King of the Hill. Lesson: Into the dark we all may go but he who creates the flashlight or a flash of light will become the bolt that drives your mission into the next dimension. #foodforthought #sears #amazon #retail #missiondriven #uncg #whatsnext #innovation #ingenuity #human #thoughleaders #brainstorming

Occupational Therapy is essential to the success of so many of our clients. Lucky to have the best: Abbey Such, OTR/L

I spent some time on campus today discussing opportunities for students, the current blockchain landscape, and what we can do to be prepared. Do you have a #cryptocurrency club or want to start one? Let's connect! In need of blockchain education at your school? EMURGO Academy can help. Connect with me to learn more. #futureleaders #techeducation #EMURGO #SCATDAO

🚁 Next Step: Learn to fly the helicopters local news stations use to report traffic 🚁