Dave Guerra (the official blog)

05 February 2025

2025: So What If The Words Ain't Rhyming?

Today, Wednesday, February 5, 2025, was a day of another first for me. Today, I participated in a rite of passage for all of us that have achieved a certain age. A medical procedure that while is considered invasive is does not feel like it. Well, after the procedure it felt like it was over before it started.

The preparation leading up to this life event, now that was something that felt was never going to end. Before anybody tells you drinking a gallon of laxative over the course of several hours is the most difficult part of a colonoscopy, they are right!

It was most certainly the most dreaded part of the process, I heard horror stories about the 1 Gallon of Liquid Hell and the "immediate" reactions. For the grossly curious, I started after I finished the gallon.

So what does this have to with anything?

It has everything to do with everything, everywhere. It has to do with the obvious: Everyone that can should have a colonoscopy. Consider it part of being proactive when it comes to your health.

It is also a good test of how your digestive system is working. Again, being proactive.

Again, so what does this have to with anything?

Take Care of Yourself and Be Proactive!

Thanks,
-David Guerra, MA, MBA
U.S. Army Veteran & Author

P.S. I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • Instagram: dave_guerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

P.P.S. To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

26 January 2025

2025: Now What?

Here we are finishing the last weekend in January and what have we to show for it?

So far this has happened to all of us:
1. We started a new year.

2. A New President of the United States of America successfully transitioned into office.

3. Life went on as it did on December 31, 2024.

4. We are all a little older and hopefully a little wiser.

5. Change has come, gone, and tomorrow will bring more change just like it did on December 31, 2024.

On the precipice of February 2025 we now have to take a moment or two and ask ourselves "NOW WHAT?"

Personally, that is the question to ALWAYS be asked. Asked, no matter the situation, no matter the conversation, no matter the idea.

Professionally, NO WHAT should be standard for everything action, every plan, every strategic initiative, everything!

NOW WHAT?
You ask and answer it. You alone know what is next for you in your personal, professional, and private life.

Ask "Now What?" to challenge yourself, to challenge others, and to challenge everything.

Of course, asking "Now What?" should always be a conversation starter and never the conclusion. Then again, when something ends ask, "Now What?"

It really helps to keep the conversation going (it should always be going).

Now what?

-David Guerra, MA, MBA
U.S. Army Veteran & Author

P.S. I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • Instagram: dave_guerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

P.P.S. To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

17 January 2025

2025: Change -The Politics of Dancing (and other such nonsense)

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

While my views and opinions on politics are mine and I try not to OVERTLY cram it down anyone's throat. This I try not to do because one; it is pointless to do so, two: I am write where others are wrong (then again, there are times when others are right and I am wrong).

There are times when politics needs to be mentioned. This is one of those times.

Today, is Friday, January 17, 2025, and on the other side of the weekend, the world will change, our lives will change. On Monday, while it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day it is also Inauguration Day here in the United States of America.

Everything changes. For good or bad, who knows as that is still unwritten.

What is not unwritten is the following:

• Change is happening.

• Change will happen.

• You do not have to like change.

• Change is what you make of it.

• Remember, "changes aren't permanent but change is" (RUSH, "Tom Sawyer")

A few words of advice:

1. The sooner you accept the fact that change cannot be stopped the sooner you can get on with accepting and dealing with any change that comes your way.

2. It falls solely on you to come to peace with the change that is happening around you. You cannot force or demand others to acquiesce. They are dealing with their own change(s).

3. Stick around, a new set of changes are coming fast.

Thank you,
David Guerra

P.S. I invite you to follow me on Twitter: @daveguerra • visit my website: www.daveguerra.com

P.P.S. To order your copy of Great To Follow: Amazon paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble paperback
To order your copy of The Walking Leader: Amazon Paperback / Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble

26 December 2024

The Day After...

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

THE DAY AFTER...
Yesterday, we celebrated an event of epic & legendary proportions. The birth of Jesus Christ. A Savior to the masses, a Prophet to many, an enigma or curiosity to others. Many of us celebrated the day by continuing the traditions that have been set before us: Family, Food, Merriment, Cheer, Food, Joy, Laughter, and Love. Did I mention food?

Today, we continue to be in good spirit and good cheer because it is contagious. However, a harsh reality sets in when we move away from the 25th day of December and face the realities that are the other days of the year.

Should they be harsh? No!
They should, however, not be as full of joy and merriment as the holiday season. It is Joy and Merriment that makes the holiday season special. The remaining days of the year are there to tell us that there is work that needs to be done. This does not have to be a time for back and forth and ONE-UPMANSHIP (the art or practice of outdoing or keeping one jump ahead of a friend or competitor).

There must be a balance between all things. There must be attempts made to make all things better. However, egos are finicky things to work with but if you want to be better and make life better then be prepared to fight the good fight and work with the egos, of others, all in an effort to make things better. However, should you come across someone that expects it to be "their way or the highway" there is only one appropriate response and you will know what the response will be when your gut tells you. Remember, our lives will get better when we, ALL OF US, want it and will do what it takes to make it happen.

12 December 2024

2024: A Reflection on CONTROL (part 1)

Image by (https://pixabay.com/users/rigby40-6395145/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=6861887) Rigby40 from Pixabay

Hello, again.

It has been a while since my last blog post. I had to take a little down time as the holidays started to ramp up just to get my "headspace and timing" aligned, in line, make myself ready to see the end of the year arrive, and to execute on the start of the new year.

Can you believe 2025 is now just days away? Before it comes to an end I want to take this blog post and a couple more to reflect on some of my observations, actions, reactions, and behaviors that affected my life in 2024.

So let's begin, shall we?

The first reflection as the title says is about CONTROL.

Personal Control that borders on Intimidating Control/Abusive Behavior.

Early in 2024, I experienced someone was exerting on the individuals they are "supposed" to be leading/managing. They would be quick to snap at people, the individual would instigate confrontations in order to find themselves on top. To re-assure themselves they had control over others.

I get it. People are different. People react to the actions of others in a different way for any number of reasons.

Well, come to find out this individual was losing their last parent. This individual was watching a close relative slowly and, from what I have been able to put together, a painful end of life. Then it all made sense. The behavior became crystal clear. They found themselves in a situation they could not control. There was pain and suffering and there was nothing this individual could do about it. They had no control.

It made all the sense in the world why they lashed out, why they behaved the way they did. It was completely understandable. NOT EXCUSABLE.

True, Genuine Leaders know their limits. They know when they can no longer effectively lead others. Leaders, while human beings, must also know when it is time to step aside. It is when they either do not know themselves or refuse to accept that things are out of their control that they continue to lose control and ultimately lose the respect of those they are supposed to be leading. Again, it is not excusable.

If you ever find yourself in a situation that is putting you in a place of where you feel you no longer have control and before you abusively try to control others CHECK YOURSELF and if need be, step aside. You will most certainly thank yourself.

While that is one incident, late in 2024, another individual's lack of control and attempting to be abusive to others reared its ugly head, again. An older gentleman suddenly found himself in a health situation that all but took away his freedom. Sure he was alive, able to walk, talk, eat, and breathe. He, however, was tethered to a machine and did not know if he would ever be free of that machine. It was obvious in hearing his voice his frustration came out loud and clear. It was just a matter of time before he lashed out.

Then one day, it all came out. His sense of losing control of his life came pouring out of him. A river of obscenities, racial slurs, derogatory statements about genders, sexual preferences, and orientations. This guy was way out of line. At first, you felt a bit sorry for him and his situation, then by the end of my interactions with this person, I felt nothing but disdain, disgust, and sadness what his situation made him into and that deep down he was always that angry, hate-filled person.

In the case of the older man, while people may want to excuse his behavior and allow it to continue. LEADERS do NOT have that luxury. You will be held accountable for your actions, inaction, words, and behaviors. There are other people involved in the life you have chosen and if you cannot lead them, STEP ASIDE.

If nothing else, you can CONTROL that aspect of your life. Yes, it is that simple.

04 November 2024

2024: Celebrate The Small Victories

A war is one through a long, sustained, series of battles. It is winning all the battles that hastens winning a war. These battles, big or small, will always pale in comparison to the war. Nonetheless, the battles must be fought and won. There is no changing that fact.

Of course, there are different perceptions when it comes to battles, conflicts, and wars. However, there is no escaping the fact that battles, conflicts, and/or wars must be fought. There will always be some conflict. There will always be some level of discord. There is no escaping the YIN and the YANG. In order to have harmony there has to be dissonance. Without dissonance how will anyone know what harmony is? It is inevitable and no amount burying your head in the sand will deny that fact.

This fact is important to remember, that while we may not win them all, the next battle is just ahead. This is not a pessimistic way of thinking. This is a realistic way of living. Our days are full of challenges with good and bad outcomes. However, we cannot let the bad over take us and just as we should never be complacent when it comes to the good. For those that feel they are too good to fail, then let me be the first to burst your bubble, YOU will lose. You will lose more times than you will win. How do I know this? I know this because I know I have failed more than I have won.

Failing makes me appreciate the climb and the small victories. While I may never win the war, I know that I have more failures ahead of me. I also know that I have more victories, as well. But in the end, there is no coming back from the ultimate and final loss. So keep kidding yourself but when the end comes, no one will care how much you won and most certainly no one will care how much you lost. It is over and there is no winning from that loss. See, in the end we all lose.

That is why celebrating the small victories, NOW, is just as important as celebrating winning the war. Make that trip memorable by having an adventure along the way. Do not see the trip as a means to an end (the destination) but see it as part of the entire journey (there and back). The same applies with experiences, competitions, and the like. Win or Lose; Rejoice in the fact that you are alive to experience the experience. Remember, while it may be an inconvenience, a flat tire is the moment to change priorities, you pivot and make the best of an unpredicted/unprecedented situation. You turn that detour into another adventure.

Then the celebration that follows will be even better. Of course, the small victories are just an excuse to celebrate. Winning the battle is just an excuse to celebrate. Waking up and putting your feet on the ground is just an excuse to celebrate. Here is a little-known fact: small losses are an excuse to celebrate. Losing a battle, losing a war are also just excuses to celebrate.

What I am saying, is GO AHEAD and CELEBRATE!

15 October 2024

2024: Adopting a 'Can-Do' Attitude

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

It is all about your attitude. It is all about your CONSISTENT attitude! It is NOT about being occasional. It is not about being a part-tine DOER! It is ALL about having a CAN-DO attitude.

What is a CAN-DO attitude?
A CAN-DO attitude is just as it sounds. It means you have adopted an attitude (and the beginning of a lifestyle) that you will do what it takes to get what you know you can do and get done. The attitude is the mindset you have, that you believe what needs to be done can and will be done, by you.

Who can have a CAN-DO attitude?
EVERYONE! However, it all BEGINS with YOU. Someone has to lead the way, so why not you? Someone has to be the one to say, “enough is enough!” Someone has to be the one to do something in any situation when others refuse to step up.
One thing to know: The CAN-DO attitude is contagious. By being someone with a CAN-DO attitude know that others will see you, see your success, and want to achieve the same level of success. However, know that having a CAN-DO attitude is NOT a FLEX, it is something that others will want. The CAN-DO attitude is something that everyone can have, all they need is knowing that it is allowed and encouraged. By watching you exhibit a CAN-DO attitude, others will step up and join you.

Why is it important to have a CAN-DO Attitude?
The importance of having a CAN-DO attitude cannot be stressed enough. You, as an individual, know things must get done. You know that in almost all cases things are not going to get done by themselves. Additionally, you know that others lack the initiative to get those things done, especially those that must be done. This is where you, not for the sake of others, step up to get that done. You know you can do it, then do it. You know that where others fail, you succeed. So, succeed. You will come to find that the successful feeling that comes from completing something becomes like an addiction especially when you create more success.

Why is being CONSISTENT important when it comes to having a CAN-DO attitude?
Having a CAN-DO attitude means you hold yourself accountable, all the time. Seriously, what is the point of holding yourself accountable part of the time? Holding yourself accountable all the time minimizes any guess work when it comes to pushing yourself to achieve your goals and/or completing your mission. Consistency breeds reliability.

As a current or future leader, the number one thing that those that will follow you look for and that is your level of reliability. How reliable are you to be present? How reliable are you to deliver the bad news as well as the good news? The only way to be known as a reliable leader is to be someone that is constantly consistent in what they do, say, and expect.

How long does it take to make CONSISTENCY a habit?
Short answer: as long as it takes. Long answer: As long as it takes for you to not to have to consciously think about or remember to have a CAN-DO attitude. Some say 21 days of consistency creates a habit. I say it depends on the individual some may be less others may be longer.

Let’s wrap this up.
As a leader, current or future, it serves you and those you lead to adopt a CAN-DO attitude. Having the mindset to do what must be done, when it needs to be done gives you and your team a one up on those individuals and/or groups that are not yet where they need to be to be successful. Be the example for those that are getting there and not yet inspired to begin their journey to have a full-time CAN-DO Attitude. Yes, as a leader that is your responsibility.