Aaron Walker Live From The Greenway!

Great habits and good company have a way of turning times like this from tragedy to triumph.

While I was working on the new personal assessment that I'm putting together for our community. When I was reading through the family section, it kind of touched me, my own heart. I started thinking about my own family, and my daughters and my grandkids.

Guys, listen, I want you to lean in. Family is the most important dynamic of what we deal with each and everyday. I am all fired up about making money. I love to make money. I never want to take away from making more money today. Don't hear me wrong. I'm not saying making money's wrong. I want you to go make all the money that you can. Absolutely. What I don't want you to do is do it at the expense of your family.
And what's difficult for some of you guys to hear right now is you're young, you've got a lot of financial obligations and responsibilities ahead of you. I know you're torn. I get it man. Listen, believe me, for 40 years I've been getting that. I understand it. But some of you guys are doing this success thing at the expense of your children.

Anybody can be a father but it takes a real man to be a daddy. I want you to build those boundaries. And be careful. When you come home at night and your little Billy or Susie says, "Daddy can we play?" Man shut those electronics off and go out in the yard and play with those kids. They never ever will ask you "Hey Daddy, how much money did you make today?" They don't care. What they want is your time and listen. Spend the time with them. Don't cheat them out of the most important part of your day.
Don't come home exhausted. Man up and go out there an play with those kids. And I promise you the returns on that time invested will be invaluable.

Don't waste your whole life coming home one day with a pocketful of money to a house full of strangers.
When you get old like me, fat and bald headed, you can look back and not have regrets.

Again, make all the money you can but man when those kids come up to you and say "Daddy can we go out and play?" Just answer "Yes, I'm on my way!"

10 Tips On How To Create A Great Partnership.

I have had about a dozen partnership over the years of me doing business. Don't let people stop your dreams when they tell you that partnerships don't work. That's not true! If they are carefully planned and structured. There has to be an operating agreement!

Here are some tips and things you need to consider so you can create a great partnership.

1. What is the business evaluation formula if we decide to sell? Deposit/length of time/interest rate/etc ( This should be a price that dissuades the partner to sell, not rewards him)

2. What if one partner develops a competing product? Does this negate the partnership? I suggest a length of time for a no non compete.

Who owns the product and platform if you dissolve? What happens if one partner dies?
3. Do I have first right of refusal if the other partner wants out? Will the same evaluation formula be used? Historically, you are penalized when leaving prematurely. This always encourages the partnership to remain in place. It keeps each partner from plotting an early exit. Keeps everyone honest.

4. If a cash influx is needed from the partners are you agreeing to bring your % equal to your ownership %? How much time is allotted for your contribution? What is the plan if the partner says I don’t have or do not want to contribute additional capital?

5. How will the profits/proceeds be distributed? This is a big concern. I suggest a % be distributed and a % be reinvested back into the business. Don’t establish a dollar amount, it always changes as the business grows.

6. When will profits be distributed? Monthly/Quarterly/Annually?
Your needs will always be different. A formula for distribution of profits needs to be in place regardless of your needs. Never distribute based on needs of the partner, this will cause hardship and confusion. Distribute on a schedule.

7. What is the job role/responsibilities, of each partner? Write them out.
8. What is the process if the partner falls on hard times and wants to sell? Non elected, forced ( Bankruptcy, divorce, health, etc..) Formula for evaluation/terms/first right?

9. Is there a dispute clause if you reach an impasse? Or, majority owner holds the red button?

This could be a phased approach. 1. Owners decide 2. Trusted advisors decide (predetermined) 3. Arbitration

Where will the partnership be incorporated?

10. There should be a vision/mission/core values.

You cover these big topics and your future life will be much better, I promise.

During my quiet time this morning, I remember my post two years ago about "The Empty Chair" and it made me sad. In my den, there are two recliners, one for me and one for Robin. This is where we hang out and do life together. But one day, one of those recliners will be empty, one of us will be gone. I know that's pretty sad. The truth is, we're going to have horrific regrets or unbelievable memories, one or the other. It doesn't just apply to marriage but to every facet of life, every person we encounter.

One of our mastermind guys is dealing with bitterness. He can't let it go. Believe me I know exactly what it is. A guy did me very wrong that I wanted to shoot to him. I hated that guy. I didn't want anything to do with him. But six months ago, I went to him and I hugged him. And I told him I love you and I am sorry. I had to let it go because I was the only one being held captive, I was the only one being harmed. I was cheating my family because I was disallowing Robin to live the kind of life because I got bitterness harbored in me.

Guys, some of you, today, you want to hug somebody and tell them you love them and you're sorry. If you can't do that, confess it to somebody else and let it go. It squelches everything in you. We only got one life. We don't get a do over. Get rid of that stuff. You say, they don't deserve it! Well, it's called grace. It's things that people don't deserve but are given to them.

Listen, when you quit demanding justice you will know you have forgiven somebody. When you get bitterness out of your life, you will have a joy that I can't even begin what could transpire. It will change your life. Today, let it go!

Share this message to your family as some of them needs to hear it.

What is it in your life that you see too difficult to change?

I am not asking anybody to change your personality. But there are things in life that you need to change to be successful, to be that guy that encourages, to take that opportunity to change somebody's life through words of affirmation and encouragement.

There are things in life we need to change and give up but instead of changing, we want people to adapt the way you do things, the way you see the world, the way you want to do it!

Truth is, there are a lot of selfishness in us today. We don't want to change because we want it our way.

We have to be willing to listen, adjust, turn, sway, bend a little bit. We need to evaluate our life and be a little more pliable. It's hard to change but we can do it. Don't be that grumpy guy that says "It's just the way I am!"

Go to heights that you never dream possible as a result of altering, changing and pivoting!

I have a tough thing for you to do that I'm about to challenge you with. But I want to encourage each and everyone of you to just try this. Bear in mind for you newcomers I've got 38 years of experience in business and I've been an entrepreneur since I was 18 years old. So I am going to give you a task to do and just trust me on it. I promise you it will pay big dividends.

Here's the thing I want you to do, help somebody that could be perceived as being in competition with you. You say "Big A, you lost your mind!"

When you have a mindset of scarcity, that's exactly what you get. But when you have an abundance mindset, I am telling you it changes your whole world! And I want to encourage you guys today to go out there and help people. Give them the connections, the introductions, walk alongside them.