Derek Avera

You'll never treat anyone outside your organization better than you treat your team inside your organization. We can't suddenly become someone we're not simply because a client walks through the door. Treating people the right way starts on the inside and flows outward. #Respect

While we don't control the events that come into our world, we always have the ability to choose our response. And our outcome is determined by the quality of our response. If you want a better outcome, choose a better response. E+R=O is simply the way life works. #rfactor

One of life's great challenges is the ability to untether your emotions from your circumstances. Most people can't or won't. When things are going well, they're happy. When life becomes rough, they're sad and/or mad. Rise above situational happiness and choose to be happy. #happy

Happiness is a choice.

A major disconnect in our world today is this: so many people consistently engage in reactive thinking and impulsive behavior and can't figure out why they don't produce elite results. Our outcomes don't magically transcend our character and the habits we build. #MindsetMatters

When you're in a challenging job situation, you have choices: 1. Stay & make every effort to make things better 2. Go to work elsewhere 3. Stay and complain The first 2 are completely acceptable. The third option is by far the worst & unfortunately what most people choose to do.

Last Saturday many paused to celebrate the life of a truly great man - Focus 3 Founder Tim Kight. TK would be quick to say, for those of us who are believers, it wasn't goodbye at all. Rather "See you soon!" Believers understand that reality. He's now saving us a seat. #loveTK

Discipline doesn't mean "punishment" & isn't a negative word. The Latin root word means "student" & discipline can be a very positive thing...the same root word gives us "disciple." Discipline is learned behavior & requires focused reps to master. Hard work but always worth it.

One of today's greatest challenges: many people are focused on what's happening outside their sphere of control (we call it 20 Square Feet) rather than what they can control. Becoming fixated on things we have no control over is a major cause of anxiety. #20sqft #Control

Winning behavior will not survive in a culture that does not support it. Further, if your strategy calls for behavior not supported by your culture, you will struggle to execute. #culturematters

You're constantly getting feedback about your performance...but you're not always involved in those conversations. #Feedback

E+R=O will always tell you the truth if you have the courage to hear it. #truth #courage

If you permit it, you promote it. Your culture - on your team and within your organization - will only be as strong as the weakest behavior you choose to allow. There's no such thing as a culturally neutral attitude or action. You're moving forward or backward. Choose wisely.

FAITH, not fear. Fear (& doubt) distorts what you see, disrupts how you feel and limits what you do. Faith (& belief) does the exact opposite. A default mind feeds fear; a disciplined mind feels fear but focuses on the action it needs to take. You can't outperform your mindset.

It's much easier to be gracious to others when you're grateful for the grace that's been extended to you. #Gratitude

Building skill is much more like a dimmer switch than an on/off switch. Building skill the right way is slow, small and daily. Growth occurs due the cumulative impact of what we do each day. Successful people build successful habits. There are no shortcuts when doing it well.

20 Square Feet is a metaphor for one's sphere of ownership & control in any organization. Here's our challenge today: most people focus on what's happening outside their 20 Sq Ft rather than on what they can control inside their 20 Sq Ft. Own your impact on your culture! #culture

"Obscurity and greatness are not opposites. There's beauty in the ordinary, especially when done in acts of service." ---Ronnie Norman #greatness #service

"One thing about trains: it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on." ---The Polar Express, 2004

It's amazing how far you can get by paying proper attention to the fundamentals. Press pause before speaking. Say please & thank you & mean it. Return calls, emails, texts in a timely manner. When running late, utilize the courtesy call, which is a lost art. Little things matter.