The Year 2020 by Jason Hewlett

“Worst year ever!”  

“Can’t wait until this one’s over!”  

“The dumpster fire that is 2020.” 

 Plenty of lines and ways to describe a most indescribable year. 

We’ve heard them all, and said most of them, in an effort to put into words what has been experienced. 

I believe it is justified, so don’t think I’m not on the bandwagon as well, since I’ve shared my version of all of these, too. 

And as we come into the final month of this year it is ironic, because when I think of years past where I have also thought similar things, including 2019, 2018, 201… (for example, I once wrote a song with opening lyrics, “2009, Oh it wasn’t a pretty year, all I can say is I’m glad it’s no longer here…”), my fear is that this kind of thinking is becoming a trend in our way of looking at the year that has passed…no matter the year…and our hope next year is that much better. 

But especially 2020. 

It will be hard to top the bottoming-out that encompassed 2020. 

Or… 

Or, we could see it for what it’s helped us create of tragedy, suffering, and being backed into a corner. 

Having not been on an airplane and traveling the world, as has been my work for 20 years, 2020 has forced me to regroup, rethink, recreate my entire way of life, making a living, and delivering what I still can for an audience that is starving for connection, engagement, entertainment, and education…but without a budget! 

Yes, my bank account went from one of health and abundance to a storage unit I opened weekly with one eye open, as it dwindled to single digits. 

Yes, my prospects and clients bailed one by one on a year that was set up to be pretty epic, and suddenly wiped clean a calendar filled to the brim to create an empty white board of lost opportunity. 

Yes, my family asked if we were still going on the road trip across America and Canada we have been planning for years, only to see us put the RV on the market for need of selling it or making our house payment, and then putting my car and all else on the chopping block. 

My friends, your stories are as real and painful as mine—perhaps more!—be it in health, wealth, or “simply” inconvenience. It is all relative. And I am so sorry you have been through what you’ve been through! 

But, and this is a BIG BUT: Can we see that MUCH GOOD has come from this necessity to reinvent? 

A dwindling bank account will see you cut expenses like few things can, going only for necessity and finally getting under control what has been perhaps an illusion in the Keeping Up with the Joneses phenomenon. 

A job that is no longer a way to make a living can open up new possibilities to create, serve, give, and offer value in ways you’ve never had time to explore. 

A trip of a lifetime that now doesn’t happen allows for introspection and more time with loved ones in the home, togetherness, reliability on those closest to us, exploring the beauty of the world immediately around us. 

As a family we were still able to go to Moab, Utah, a short four-hour drive from our home, and most beautiful & otherworldly kind of place. Thankful for that! 

I know I’m a person who relies on the comedic side of things, and that’s important as well now more than ever—to laugh—but I also want to point out what good has come of this most interesting year, from the perspective of someone who really acknowledges it has been profoundly impacting. 

Try this little simple exercise— 

List three things (or more if so inclined) that were awesome for you in 2020. 

You could start with phrases like: 

2020 has taught me… 

In 2020 I was forced to… 

I am grateful for 2020 because… 

And then list out a few of the positives. 

Here’s mine— 

2020 has forced me to: 

Be Brave. To watch it all go away (events, cashflow, stability) and believe I could still make it, and then prove that I could. 

Be Fearless. To try things (video, virtual, launching a book with a publisher) I never have before and succeed! 

Act Quick. To be ahead of the curve while watching peers and heroes waiting for things to get better. 

I’d love to see your thoughts, in the comments below, if you’re willing to inspire me as well. 

I know 2020 will always be a year with an asterisk, but perhaps it could be a tipping point for all of us in living our Promise at another level.  I know that’s what it will be for me. 

Jason Hewlett is a leadership expert, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and award-winning entertainer. His book The Promise to The One is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Porchlight Book Company, Google Play, Apple Books. This article originally appeared here on The Promise blog and has been edited for inclusion on The Sound Wisdom Blog. Subscribe for more inspiring content from Sound Wisdom.

The Importance of Showing Up by Jason Hewlett

Have you ever had one of those nights where you absolutely could not miss your alarm going off? Whether it be a flight, a very important meeting, or something you promised your child you’d do with them, there is something so profound about how serious we take these commitments. 

Yesterday, I needed to be somewhere by 6:00 a.m., and if I wasn’t there on time it would ruin a lifetime event for six families. How do you think I slept, even though I couldn’t fall asleep before 1:00 a.m. because I was so worried about sleeping through the alarm? 

I woke up every hour on the hour, sleeping with one eye open, even having set two separate alarms (phone and old-time digital alarm clock). I finally got up at 4:00 a.m. even though the alarms were set for 5:15. 

How seriously do you take your Promises and the things you said you’d do? 

An acquaintance said he wanted to meet up for lunch. We confirmed the time and place an hour prior, just to be sure we were on the same page. I texted him 10 minutes after he was late, and then again 20 minutes. Finally, at minute 29 he strolled up like he was right on time. Who does that? And why? 

No reason, just couldn’t make it at that time was the response. 

Hmmmm… 

We hired a handyman to help fix a few things around our home. The hour he said he’d be there came and went, and eventually three hours later he showed up. 

Hmmmm…  

I had a client call recently with the whole planning team. I called in five minutes early to be sure I was set with my Zoom angle, lighting, and sound. It was their meeting; I was just listening in. After the host didn’t start the meeting for five minutes, I texted them. Nothing. Ten minutes later, still nothing. I finally hung up the Zoom call and called the client, who texted and said they’d be right on. I logged back on. Twenty-five minutes later, the call started. Quick apology…on we go. 

Hmmmm…  

Yes, all of these deal with people being late. I’ve been late before. Once I was accidentally double-booked by an agent for events in two different countries on the same date. Instead of canceling on either client or going the safe and cheap route on commercial airline travel to fulfill the contract, I spent a good chunk of what I made that day to get to the second destination in time by chartering a private jet. I was almost late for that event, in that other country, but still an hour early… 

I understand excuses. I get that there are valid reasons for being late. If there’s an accident, I can sympathize and forgive you, but there’s a power and, I believe, a sacredness in being on time. 

It’s the importance of showing up.  

There’s a power and, I believe, a sacredness in being on time.  

Just show up! At this point in time, that is literally a big deal. Just show up. It’s pathetic that this a real statement. But people just don’t show up. And if they do, they’re late! 

Don’t be that person. 

Show up on time. 

Do what you said you’d do. 

That’s called keeping a Promise. 

That’s what Leaders do. It’s what people who respect other people do. 

Do you want to know why I couldn’t sleep last night? Was it for a flight, to take someone somewhere, or a big paid event? 

Nope. It was for my voluntary, unpaid, happy-to-do-it church assignment. 

I am assigned to fill up the baptismal font for people to be baptized. I consider this a sacred duty and a wonderful honor. I arrive before 6:00 a.m., alone, to prepare the building for a person’s special day and lifetime commitment. What a thrill! If those people are making that type of commitment, a Promise so great, then I’m going to lose sleep in order to be there for my responsibility. 

I know you’d do the same.  

That’s the Importance of Showing Up! 

Jason Hewlett is a leadership expert, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and award-winning entertainer. His book The Promise to The One is available in both paperback and e-book form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Porchlight Book Company, Google Play, Apple Books, on August 18, 2020. This article originally appeared here on The Promise blog and has been edited for inclusion on The Sound Wisdom Blog. Subscribe for more inspiring content from Sound Wisdom. 

Happy Father Figure Day by Jason Hewlett

Photo by Negative Space from StockSnap

We must have been 12 years old when our Boy Scout troop first went skiing with our new scoutmaster, Rick. He seemed cool, had a great manly beard, nice dark full head of hair, a friendly smile, lived in a big house, and wore perfectly fitted clothes to church. 

Thinking we were all pretty hot stuff as preteens, growing up in Park City, UT, where they give you a week off of school during the winter called “Ski Week” just to perfect your skills on the famous snowy mountains, we went up to the top of one of the toughest runs at Park City Resort and looked down at the moguls before us. 

We pretended to not be scared, but this run was extra crazy. If I recall, it was called Thaynes Canyon. 

To a kid, the moguls were mountains unto themselves, and watching the best of the best try this run and eventually biff it into a yard sale as we laughed from above, riding up the lift, always reminded us to take a different route down. 

As our scoutmaster, Rick, looked at us, he said, “Guys, you can do this.” He must have sensed our nervousness. And then he did what Legendary Leaders do: he said, “Watch this…see you at the bottom!” and went first. 

Dropping into the gauntlet, bounding through the snow like a dolphin cutting waves, Rick was headed straight for the biggest jump on the run, smack dab in the middle, as we watched in horror screaming for him to turn. 

I’ll never forget the feeling of sheer terror as our only adult leader launched into the air and began turning upside down, skis over his head… 

It wasn’t long until he began twisting into a 360 upside down (a maneuver called a “helicopter”); and in perfect tight form, folded his arms across his body doing this other-worldly backflip; and then spread his arms back out in triumphant glory as he landed flawlessly and continued to the bottom of the run. 

Our little troop of scouts stood at the top of the mountain, stunned at what we’d just witnessed. Who in the heck is our scoutmaster, and did he just really do that!?! 

We were screaming in complete excitement, cheering and jumping, giving high-fives and clapping our poles, as one by one we braved the run and steep slope, following the Legendary Leader that was soon to be one of our greatest childhood heroes. 

Courage. Bravery. You Can Do This. That’s the mark of a real leader who instills confidence beyond what we actually had, and we made it down the run unscathed. 

Once at the bottom of the run, Rick high-fived us for making it down, gave us a big smile, and showed admiration for a few of us who tried to emulate his grace by trying a jump on a little mogul, as we went back to the ski lift with our leader. 

We asked, “How did you do that jump?”  

He said casually, “I was a ski jumper working on being in the Olympics when I was younger and had some decent success at it.” He left it at that and made the day about us, never him. 

This was the first time I had seen another man, other than my own Father, as someone who would become a Father Figure in my life. There have been too many to count since. I have been so very blessed with leaders, friends, mentors, those who have inspired me and been the Father Figures that have kept The Promise of being what every man can be to a kid, whether their dad or not. 

Truth is, I don’t remember if Rick actually did that helicopter and full back flip as it is still burned in my mind all these decades later, but that is what I choose to remember of The Legend that was this man. 

These are the Legends who make up our lives—whether they are so blessed as to have a child and get to be called Father, Dad, or whether they are the ultimate scoutmaster, coach, teacher, mentor, neighbor, and friend. 

Who are your Father Figures, and how will you celebrate them this day? 

Perhaps you can reach out and say “Thank you,” or even just tell the stories that you recall to your family; it is important to keep the memories alive. 

I am hoping to be creating the same memories for my little ones as we go skiing and have a fun time, just without my doing back flips and trading them for backbreaking slips as we inch down the slopes. Between the trips and travel, or just being home and fully present, this is how I keep The Promise to my family as life goes along. 

I’m so grateful for my own Father, John Hewlett, and that he’s still with us, while so many friends my age have lost theirs. 

I’m also so grateful for the Father Figures, such as Chris Poulos, Tony Ingle, Bob Staley, Ray Limberg, Mark Dietlein, Denny Crockett, Todd Winters, Hal Johnston, Floyd Weston, Johnny Stuart, Lou Heckler, Mark Scharenbroich, Mike O’Laughlin, Rick Sutherland, Greg Ezell, Presidente Bentim, my cousins, uncles, teachers, church leaders, mentors in the speaking business, and so many who have shaped my life. 

To the men reading this blog post: To whom are you acting as a Father Figure? And if you can’t think of it, it’s time to keep The Promise and find a young person who is in need of your mentoring, as only you can offer, with your unique Signature Moves.  

Happy Father Figure Day! Thank you to those in my life for being a Legendary Leader who kept The Promise to me and all those you play HERO to. 

Jason Hewlett is a leadership expert, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and award-winning entertainer. His book The Promise to The One is available as an e-book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Apple Books, and other fine retailers. It will release in hardcover form in August 2020. This article originally appeared here on The Promise blog and has been edited for inclusion on the Sound Wisdom Blog. Subscribe for more inspiring content from Sound Wisdom. 

A Tale of Two Employees by Jason Hewlett

Photo by Kristin Hardwick for StockSnap 

“I hate going to work every day,” he quickly admitted after our call had just begun. “It’s like they know I’m needed to fill a spot, but I don’t feel needed in any other way. It’s like they don’t see what I could bring, my unique skill set and experience. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”   

That was quick, I thought, as I searched for what to ask next. 

“What do you feel you could personally bring different to your job if the opportunity were offered you?” I asked. 

“Actually, that’s the problem, I don’t even know at this point. I feel engaged, but it’s like I’m actively disengaged in doing nothing productive. That’s terrible, but it’s the truth,” he admitted. 

I probed further, “Like what? What are you doing that’s disengaged from your work?” 

He offered, “Well, for example, I take extra long to finish a project just to fill the time. I scroll on my phone and look at social media most of the day. I respond in short answers to emails and requests that I feel don’t fit my skill set. Anything I don’t want to do I make it painful for everyone to expect me to do. I let everyone know I’m not easy to work with, and I wear that on my sleeve.”   

I confessed, “Thank you for admitting that. At least you are aware you’re doing these things. Would you be willing to change that behavior at some point?”   

He replied, “Of course, if they’d just let me do what I do best.” 

I asked, “Do you feel this is a practice unique to you on your team, or are others doing and feeling the same?” 

I could hear him thinking over the phone. 

“Yes, most of us on this team are like that, I’d say, because our manager doesn’t even know what we would be better at bringing to the table,” he finally admitted. 

In essence, he was feeling guilt for a lack of integrity in work time spent, knowing full well he could have been doing more, but was merely putting in the time to keep a job. Active disengagement due to a lack of leadership from a manager who didn’t see him as a person but rather as a means to an end. 

Lacking purpose, this 40-something-year-old had become one of the 87 percent Gallup finds are actively disengaged at work, costing the US economy trillions annually. Conversely, Harvard Business Review shows that performance is increased by 33 percent in employees who are actively utilizing their skill set and purpose in the onboarding process, resulting in billions of dollars gained when leaders can keep a new employee actively engaged from the moment of hiring. 

What is The Promise of The Leader  in this instance?  

Admit an incongruence in engagement, and then help the disgruntled employee rediscover their purpose, share their unique strengths, and add life to a waning team. 

Employee Example #1 

Employee 1 was recommend to go through the revolutionary ICM (IDENTIFY • CLARIFY • MAGNIFY) Process along with his manager, and now they are in a mentoring relationship that offers both great purpose and satisfaction, resulting in a renewed lifeblood for the team and entire company, which in turn will benefit everyone in the long run. Projects finished quicker, creativity encouraged, accountability ensured. Happiness at work at an all-time high. This is The Promise of Leadership and Engagement. 

Employee Example #2 

Sitting next to her I could feel the positive energy and encouraging power she exuded over her influence in the workplace. As she spoke about her intentions and excitement for every day, I was also more focused to do my job well as a consultant. Being hired to come in and determine the challenges in the company, I was referred to her as the example of what can happen when one person discovers their Leadership Promise. How refreshing to see what was possible when an employee knew her reason for being an important part of making the engine go. 

“How did you get to this place of being so satisfied with your work? You seem to be in a space of complete dedication to your work and excited for it every day,” I asked in all sincerity.

“Oh that’s easy,” she said. “I noticed my co-workers were struggling to find meaning in our projects, completing tasks in a timely manner for end users, and were losing morale. So I took them through the ICM Process over the course of an entire quarter.”   

“And what did you find?” I wondered aloud. 

“It’s incredible what happens to the engagement of employees when they know their purpose and not only know what they should be doing, but are encouraged to do what they’ve identified as what they are best at contributing,” she stated matter of factly. 

“Can you show me how you took them through this?” I questioned, almost desperately. 

“Sure, it’s simple. The ICM Process is: 

• IDENTIFY, or discover, your Strengths, Talents, Gifts, and Skills 

• CLARIFY, or Refine, with your co-workers (we prefer to call them The Family at Work) 

• MAGNIFY your Promise 

…once all of this is complete, we discuss it as a Family at Work (our Team) and make sure everyone is utilizing their Signature Moves every day in every interaction. It’s our Promise Proclamation!” she exclaimed. 

I sat there stunned. How simple of a concept, and yet how profound. 

Giving time to all employees to discover and IDENTIFY their talents, gifts, strengths, and skills… 

Confirming and refining those through a CLARIFY exercise with co-workers… 

MAGNIFYING the words they identify and clarify as their own, which becomes their Signature Moves they are uniquely known for, becoming the effective Leaders they were born to be. 

“How did you come up with this ICM Process?” I asked, “Did you hear it somewhere or read it in a book?” 

She admitted, “I saw a speaker share it at a conference I attended a while back. He promised it would change our lives if we tried it out for ourselves. It worked so profoundly in my life that I decided to bring it to work. We are now in the top 3 percent of our company in sales, attendance, performance, and the most committed to each other of any team I’ve seen. Before we were in the bottom 25 percent. This ICM Process works!”  

“Where can I learn more about this and is there a workbook for it?” I asked. 

She looked around her desk, and then said, “Oh, here, it’s in this book. It’s not even released yet, but they gave us a copy at our event. Chapter 2 is the ICM Process. I recommend everyone try it and figure out their Promise.”   

“Where can I buy this book?“ I inquired. 

“The Speaker said it’s not available yet, but will be soon. Seriously though, it’s such a simple concept, the ICM Process, most people don’t even try it out. After seeing the profound effect it had on our team, I took it home and my family went through it. It changed the lives of my children and spouse as well. You should do it,” she said. 

“I will,” I proclaimed. 

“Do you Promise?” she asked. 

E-book Set for Release on May 13, 2020 

Jason Hewlett is a leadership expert, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and award-winning entertainer. His book The Promise to The One is available as an e-book on May 13, 2020, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Apple Books, and other fine retailers. It will release in hardcover form in August 2020. This article originally appeared here on The Promise blog and has been edited for inclusion on the Sound Wisdom Blog.