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Author: Les Patterson

Monday Morning Boost: Activating the Power of Three for 2019

Monday Morning Boost: Activating the Power of Three for 2019

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We explored last week the importance of reviewing the past year as a tool for creating a better year going forward. We looked at several areas, including what we hoped to accomplish, what we actually accomplished, what challenged us, and what we learned. Through the process, we discovered reviewing the past year will help us create better focus and clarity for the new year. Now it’s time to take what we learned and do something with it. This is where the…

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Monday Morning Boost: Forget Goals!

Monday Morning Boost: Forget Goals!

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Reviewing our past year can influence the coming year better than setting New Year’s resolutions and goals. Why is this? Maybe it is, as philosopher George Santayana said, and Winston Churchill alluded to, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It may be simpler, such as reviewing your past year will help you create focus and clarity for this next year. Instead of making empty goals and resolutions that often create no significant action, I suggest…

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Monday Morning Boost: An Iraqi Shepherd at Christmas

Monday Morning Boost: An Iraqi Shepherd at Christmas

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I love sharing Christmas stories, and today, as is tradition, I share again the story of the Christmas I spent in Iraq. It’s one of my most memorable Christmases. As we remember those serving in harm’s way around the world, and as you remember your own loved ones who are unable to be home for Christmas, it seems fitting I share this story again. It’s a true story of a shepherd who had a flock of sheep. I hope you’ll enjoy….

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Monday Morning Boost: Gifts of Joy

Monday Morning Boost: Gifts of Joy

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Gifts of joy can come to us in many ways during the Christmas and holiday season. Acts of service, white elephants gifts at work parties, neighbor treats and goodies, and, of course, the giving and receiving of gifts on Christmas Day.  Some gifts of joy are tangible like these vehicle reindeer antlers I won (perched on top of my head in the middle of this picture) as my final white elephant gift at a neighborhood Christmas party. Other gifts of joy…

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Monday Morning Boost: Finding the Joy that Lights the World

Monday Morning Boost: Finding the Joy that Lights the World

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I had a December where life threw my biggest heartbreaking challenge ever. I felt trapped and alone. Discovering what I could control and what I could not control became one of my saving graces through that most difficult time. One specific tool I consistently focused on was finding joy in my journey. I could control this. Even in the most trying circumstances, I could choose to find joy. Sometimes I would find joy in bleakest days by seeing the slight…

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Monday Morning Boost: Sometimes the Holidays are Hard

Monday Morning Boost: Sometimes the Holidays are Hard

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Traditionally the holidays are a time for coming home. That desire for gathering with family seems to be instinctive in most people. But for some, the cheerful and fun-filled holidays are not so cheerful and fun-filled. Sometimes they’re hard. Sometimes they’re lonely. Sometimes they’re difficult. Sometimes coming home can be hard. ROB FROM NEW ENGLAND Rob was a good friend from several years ago who came to school at Utah State from the New England area. Rob called me late one…

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Monday Morning Boost: Thanksgiving Homecomings

Monday Morning Boost: Thanksgiving Homecomings

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Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, delicious meals, and celebrations. Thanksgiving is also a time of homecoming. Three times over the course of my life, Thanksgiving has been a significant time of homecoming for me. COMING HOME FROM WAR  I remember first my homecoming from Iraq on November 18, 2005. The day was the Friday before Thanksgiving that year. The year I spent in Iraq was challenging, heartbreaking at the loss of life, rewarding for the bonds of friendship. I grew to…

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Our Perfectly Imperfect Crew

Our Perfectly Imperfect Crew

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I am most grateful on this Thanksgiving Day for the perfectly imperfect crew I call family. OUR PERFECTLY IMPERFECT CREW By Les Patterson Giggles, grins, and goof offs Sometimes even a scowl or two They are who we call family Our perfectly imperfect crew. Pictures are never perfect Nor are family meals Sometimes we fight and argue It’s all part of the deal. We signed up before we were born Getting what we knew not But change we never would Not…

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How To Fund A Business Venture

How To Fund A Business Venture

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Finding the right funding as an entrepreneur can be challenging. Do you self-fund, seek venture capital, or secure an SBA or tradition financing? There seem to be more questions than answers. At least to start with. The Logan Chapter of Silicon Slopes hosted a discussion panel Wednesday afternoon at Vivint Smart Home in Logan to help entrepreneurs find answers to some of those perplexing questions. The discussion was moderated by Chase Anderson, chapter lead, and featured a panel of local and state…

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Monday Morning Boost: Honoring Major Brent Taylor

Monday Morning Boost: Honoring Major Brent Taylor

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I started out the morning of Saturday, November 3rd, focused on our military veterans at the Run To Remember 2018. It was while at the Run I first heard of an American soldier being killed by an insider attack in Afghanistan. What follows are my thoughts shared on Facebook over the last two weeks, from the time I heard Major Brent Taylor was that American soldier. NOV 3 – HEARTBROKEN Brent Taylor was a friend. I’m heartbroken. NOV 3 – “WAR AND…

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