Well my friends, 2021 is coming to a close. Business wise, it is almost over for Christmas. For me this means two things; rest, and writing down my goals for 2022. These two elements are vital in the life of anyone who is ambitious or strives to go far in life. Sometimes life demands that we give it our all, put our nose to the grindstone, and push forward. Other times it gives us the opportunity to sleep, rest, and allow our bodies to recuperate from the grind. Rest is something I have been looking forward to!

Shoot for Adidas in Baltimore - February 2019

REST:

Resting, relaxation, and putting your physical and mental health first…for at least a while…is super important in the life of an entrepreneur or passionate individual. We so easily get caught up in the grind. We have a goal in mind, or a deal to clinch, and so easily push too far, forgo sleep, and push ourselves to the limits of what we can handle.

It is in those times of rest, quieting of the mind, and allowing myself simply to sit, when I get the greatest of my ideas, when a vision comes into focus, and when things seem to become clear for the path ahead. Pushing yourself will never get you to the next level, only get you through the day or accomplish a simple task. The greatest of achievements came, not out of a sleep depraved mind, but out of one centered, focused, and renewed after a time of calm after the storm.

Adventure with the Smith’s: July 2021

This summer, my wife and I went on one of our annual summer adventures! We traveled through 5 states in New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. While we stayed in Portsmouth, NH, we jumped up to York to visit our friends Shane and Mandy Smith! We spent the day chatting and talking business, but the part I remember most, was spending time enjoying the beauty around us and the time together. Life is too short to grind, step on others, and forge ahead without thought for others.

To say that there is a formula for success would be to lie. I know for a fact that those who truly have succeeded in life, are the ones who bring others up along side them. Success comes by cutting a path to greatness for others to find.

December 2018: Youtubers weekend with Jeven Dovey and Levi Allen.

In my life, I have found that life gives us opportunities to rest, and do things that help us recharge! This video above is from a trip I took to Joshua Tree where we learned about Youtube, and how to grow a following. But out of it, I was able to forge friendships that have lasted till this day. I recharged and found renewed energy and focus for the next year out of just a 4 day trip!

Lastly, take the time to write down your goals. You can’t reach what you don’t aim for.

Bert Kuntz and I at Bison Union July 2019

For almost two years now, I have had the greatest of intentions. Create quality content for makers and entrepreneurs that inspires and motivates them! But in spite of my good intentions, I also run 4 companies, travel over 3 months a year for work, and own a house that requires maintenance, (like everyone else)!

In the past two years, I have only pulled off publishing 10 episodes of the podcast. The main reason being that I do the majority of them in person, and the video/audio for a 25 min-1 hour conversation takes time.

But my goal for this year, is to take the time needed to publish 20 more episodes this year alone! Staying consistent and growing in my ability to multitask and grow my output. The content I produce through this podcast and my YouTube channel is what I truly am passionate about. The products, the media, the business of making money, that’s all a means to an end; which is to give back, create space for others, and help them grow in the entrepreneurial journey!

Is consistency easy? No! Not at all! But does it cultivate an environment of trust, yes! In everything that I do, I try to grow and develop into a better person, business owner, and husband! Life takes us all down different paths! None of our lives are easy, but when we work together, help each other grow, support each other, and lift each other up, than we will all come out on top together!

In the end, I find the things that help me stay consistent, are organization, time management, and prioritizing the things that are most important to me! It’s not always easy, some things simply fall to the side, but over time, you will become more consistent the more you try. Things will become easier the more you put one foot forward even though you feel like things have fallen behind!

If you have any tips of your own, ideas that work for you. I would love to hear them! Click on the button below and send away! Thanks for you time, Brendan

HOW DO YOU STAY CONSISTENT? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

How do you stay consistent?

Recently my bro Mason ( @premo on instagram ) and I made this video for his IGTV. The premise is that if you stick to one thing for an entire year, go all in with everything you’ve got, and don’t try to accomplish multiple things, you will succeed! This means that if its your side hustle, you are still putting in at least 20 hours a week. If you are doing it full time, you are putting in at least 50-60 hours a week!

For me, I have worked for myself full time now for 4 years, and I work roughly 10-12 hours a day, 5 days a week, along with about 5-7 hours on Saturdays. Before this year, I was not focused on one thing. I own a media business called Made Custom Media, traveling over 3.5 months filming and shooting photography for brands in 2020 alone! I own a custom candle company called Made Candles: in 2020 I made over 3500 custom candles, most of which were in September - November. And lastly I own All American Maker which prior to 2020, was mostly a podcast that only had a few episodes uploaded.

After creating this video, Mason encouraged me to do this very thing, focus on one thing. Have all of my businesses fall under All American Maker. Truthfully it makes total sense. 80% of the media I had worked on was for makers and brands producing products. And it made total sense to not pigeonhole myself which the candles, and offer all of the wax based products that I have the ability to make through AAM.

This year I am devoting all of my resourced to AAM, and seeing it succeed more than any of my endeavors before. The mission of AAM is 100% to be a resource to makers. Offering custom products and services specifically engineered to serve the maker community!

My encouragement to all of you, is find that one business, maybe even that one product that brings you the most success, but also makes you come alive the most. For the thing that fills you with the most passion, will very well be the one thing that brings you the most success!

Some Products to Encourage & Equip You!