Top 10 Moments of 2019 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

I'm a little late getting my annual top ten list posted but better late than never... I just love being able to look at the year in what has become a digital scrapbook each year. Had A LOT of ups and downs this year but as always... We keep moving forward!! I am thankful for 2019 but so ready for some 2020 vision!! Enjoy.

Honorable Mentions:*) SpartanX Leadership and Spartan Race (As I closed 2018, I sold Spartan Code, LLC to Spartan Race, LLC which led to a lot of crazy like SpartanX Leadership and watching a dozen Walmartians run the Spartan)!!

Top 10 Moments of 2018 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

WOWZERS... 2018 was nuts!! I had actually taken the entire month of December off because of the crazy I am now reminded of happening while making this list. Good news, with 30-days off I am chomping at the bit to tear into 2019.

However, before I get into this coming year and everything I have in store... Let's take a moment for my annual look back through the top 10 moments of 2018. **Also, if you are curious about the previous years, all the links are at the bottom!

Honorable Mentions:
*) Shareholders (My first real trip to see Walmart at that next level... It was so fun and ultimately set the tone for what all was going to take place the rest of the year)!!

Top 10 Moments of 2017 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

With so much that has happened this year and even more happening RIGHT NOW... I'm both excited to post this and yet sad to realize it is only my third blog post in the past 12-months (there will be many more this coming year, get ready!)! 

In a nutshell, 2018 is going to be crazy!!  We have spent the entire year laying groundwork to finally launch the 'Modern Day Agoge' (Spartan Code's monthly training plan) THIS MONTH!!  Not to mention, I have started yet another new position, still within the Walmart family but new focus, AND yes with all that and the fact that my family is still my number one priority, it's going to be a bumpy ride.  

All that being said... Let's do a quick look back into the top 10 moments of 2017 (Reminder that not all moments are great but they are the biggest "moments" of the year).

Honorable Mentions:
*) Dallas Cowboys (This past season has been a big let down, however, last seasons' playoffs were also in 2017, so they balance out)!!

Ten Lessons I've Learned From Swimming at 5AM!

So over the past several weeks I have been trying a new routine, complete with getting it all kicked off with a wake-up alarm of 5AM.  This is quite a new thing for me!  I’m guessing that if you do in fact know me, and have seen my early morning posts lately, you just assumed I was still awake from the previous evening.  Nope friends, I have been getting up and heading to the gym for a workout.  Given the fact that I am extremely not used to getting up that early I have found it best to do laps in the pool.  I have found it far more difficult to go back to sleep under the water!  Though this, in and of itself, is a mighty great lesson it is merely just the beginning.  

Here are my ‘Ten Lessons I’ve Learned from Swimming at Five AM’:

10) All pools are not created equal… At the gym I workout at, there are multiple pools.  Some are inside, others are outside but though they all have water they are not the same.  The outside is often far colder than the others, even more interesting is that it is longer as well.  I didn’t really realize this until I thought I was shattering my time from the day before (times compared to the longer pool).  Though I love thinking I’m a super swimmer in the smaller pool, I find true peace and solace from taking the plunge and enjoying the deafening quiet of the outside large pool.

9) Most businesses are not open yet so plan ahead for breakfast… We all know that businesses have hours and that we should always plan for the day BUT how many of us actually do?  My morning swim has caused growth far beyond simply going to the gym.  Instead, it has forced an entire lifestyle change to take place.  Each night before bed I lay out my clothes, pack my workout bag, pre-prep an easy breakfast meal and even place my toothbrush and toothpaste by the kitchen sink.  The goal is to not only get out of the door but to do it without waking everyone else up.  What’s crazier still… Is the amount of time I have “found” from executing a very planned out day (More on this in the future)!

8) No matter how much you plan sometimes things just won’t go your way... One morning after finishing my laps in a very cold pool I decided I needed to take a few minutes and get some hot tub time.  Unfortunately the hot tub was closed, saddened but not defeated I went to the showers only to find the soap dispenser was completely empty and don’t get me started about the used bandaid on the floor.  Oh yeah!  I was frustrated but still had the entire day ahead of me.  I once heard a speaker say: “Have you really had a bad day or did you just have a bad couple minutes that you’ve milked the entire day?”

7) You have to stay in your lane... Apparently, like many situations in life: standing on the left side of a walk way at the airport, leaving at least one empty urinal in between you and the other guest or that the toilet paper goes over the top not under… these and “stay in your own lane” are apparently very serious rules we must live by to keep all of us civilized!  In related new: You are not being clever if you try and pass everyone waiting in a line for the stoplight by using the shoulder only to cut in with your fast beating blinker at the last second.

6) Don’t be intimidated by others… Fact, there will always be someone better than you at something.  This is double true when you are taking on a new hobby, you just don’t have the experience (or cool gear) yet!  Though I do not require the swimming cap, mirrored goggles or super towel that could, if necessary, absorb all the water in the pool… I am however on the look out for a swimsuit that will tie just a little tighter while moving.  Though those folks look like experts, don't get caught up in it and just get in and get started!

5) Learning the right ‘How’ can make it a whole lot easier… What I love about this lesson is the fact that if you apply the previous lesson (don’t be intimidated by others) you will have earn some respect, or pity, from others and they will jump at the chance to help.  Though I had only swam a couple lengths, apparently others noticed when I was hyperventilating at the edge of the pool.  Out of shape…Yes but that wasn’t the whole story as they pointed out.  I was simply wasting some of the motion of my arms and not being steady and true with my legs.  Sure enough, just a few lengths later and I had found my glide.  

4) Find your sweet spot… Too far to the right and your arms scrape the sides, too far to the left and you get tangled up in the ropes.  However, if you can focus on the painted line below the water, keep an even glide, you will begin to really not only make the distance but do it with far more speed and comfort.

3) Remembering the ‘Why’ is the only thing that will keep you going… As I recall, it was only days two, three, five, six, nine, ten, etc. that I had problems wanting to get up and get started.  This is a lesson I know I do not have to sell to you yet probably one of the most important.  If you don’t continue to remind yourself of the why, you will never find the reasons to keep going and make a difference.  Whether its working out, eating right or even making your marriage work, you must find ways to help yourself remember why you started!

2) Sometimes you just have to jump in… Some mornings just don’t go as planned: you’ll hit the snooze one too many times, you’ll have forgot your goggles, there are too many people in the pool, the water is just too cold, etc.  That’s resistance and rest assured if it has found you, you’re doing the right thing… Jump in, try and stay positive and just KEEP MOVING FORWARD!! 

1) You will never know until you try it… I do not recommend this in all walks of life: singing through all of the verses in “this is the song that never ends”, painting your body gold, smoking crack or googling “Find Chuck Norris” (okay, maybe you should do that last one).  I do, however, think all of us should have a list of things we want to do before we die.  I call mine the DDW list (Don’t Die Wonderin’).  No, swimming at five was not and is not on the list… being in the best shape of my life (before my fortieth birthday), being present as a great father and being a better husband than the man my wife married is.  I didn’t know swimming at five in the morning would bring other goals to fruition but here we are… killing it!  

There are many more lessons I’ve learned from swimming at five but they are things only you can understand if you choose to experience them for yourself.  Is this your moment?  Have you been making excuses?  Bottom line, some times it’s as simple as getting up, getting dressed and jumping in!  Try something new this week and let’s change our lives and this world together.  Looking forward to seeing  you out there, just make sure you stay in your own lane!

Top 10 Moments of 2016 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

No clue if anyone is still interested in what's going on with our journey but if so, here we are again, posting another crazy year of old life experiences in a completely new context, as well as, brand new moments.  This has become far more of a public journal for myself but I hope it is at the same time inspiring to others to keep moving forward with goals and dreams no matter what life throws at you.  

I honestly didn't think it could get any crazier BUT sure 'nough... This year I learned a ton, spending countless hours experiencing a whole new business, new aspects of life and a new season for our family.  As we move into 2017, the Berg's have the same goals and dreams (help people win) but in a totally new paradigm than we could have ever imagined.  I truly believe this will be the biggest year of change we've had and we're very nervous but extremely excited at the same time!  Get out there and "change things" this year!

Now on to the top 10 moments of 2016... Reminder that not all moments are great but they are the "moments" of the year that have shaped this season.

Honorable Mentions:
*) THE DALLAS COWBOYS (It's been a great season but if we make it all the way to the Super Bowl, you better know that will be a top 3 moment in 2017)!!

My Top 3 Favorite Leaders

A good friend of mine is currently working on his masters in leadership and recently asked me who my "top three great leaders" were.  When thinking about who are the greatest leaders of all time, literally, hundreds of leaders come to mind... Though I’d like to talk about all of them, I will give you the answer I gave him, my top three (in order of era).

King Leonidas (480BC)… King and leader of the Spartan Army (the most elite and disciplined soldiers the world has ever seen). With many stories of Leonidas’ passion and leadership the one that stands the test of time was also his last one (Battle of Thermopyle). In 480 BC, facing the largest army the world had ever seen (Persia), King Leonidas rounded up 300 men, whom had sons, to head to battle and stop the Persian army just long enough to allow a bigger army to gather and defeat the Persians. He chose men with sons because he wanted their names to be past on for generations, Leonidas knew he, and those men, would not return. Even when given the option to surrender and in return be made rich, Leonidas held to his convictions and fought to the very end. 

Jesus (32AD)… Born to a single mom and step-son of a poor carpenter, Jesus would grow up learning about his heritage, purpose and developing a plan that would literally change the world.  At thirty years old, Jesus selected a group of twelve men to train and teach all that he had learned from experiences and his God.  After three years of living with this group, seeing the them grow both numerically and in life, Jesus would pay the ultimate sacrifice for his convictions.  Being nailed to a wood cross, the worst punishment Rome had came up with, Jesus left his small group of followers to carry on the name and teachings.  2,000 years later, his followers continue to pass on his teachings and stories to billions around the world.

William Wallace (1305AD)… Though William was a “commoner” he didn’t grow up like one. With the loss of his parents at a young age, William traveled with his uncle and learned about life, politics and even war. As an adult, he came back to the village he was born in and began to raise a family. Cut short of this hope by England’s reign and forcing Scotland’s submission but in so doing causing pain to many. William began to speak of rebellion and freedom. At the battle of Sterling he would become famous using tactics and strategies never before seen in battle. Ultimately, though being offered release, he would choose to sacrifice his life to the cause of freedom of his people.

Three different men, hundreds of years apart, but a common thread is found in all of them.  Discipline and Integrity of self, plus Sacrifice and Courage for others... These four characteristics is what separates them from so many others.  I believe that every great leader must have all four of these characteristics... Are you ready to carry the DISC!?

What to find out more about DISC or we call it 'The Spartan Code'!?  Visit our website: www.TheSpartanCode.com (there's even cool Spartan Code gear).

Top 10 Moments of 2015 (and honorable mentions)

Crazy... I have been doing my top 10 moments of the previous season for five years now!!  Can't believe so much time has gone by and more importantly to see in pictures/moments how much has evolved.  If you are interested here's some links to the previous years: 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014!!

Now on to the top 10 moments of 2015... Reminder that not all moments are great but they are the moments that had the biggest impact.

Honorable Mentions:
*) Driving a Lamborghini (Huracan)!!

The Three Questions (Akbar & Birbal)

King Akbar was very fond of Birbal. This made a certain courtier very jealous. Now this courtier always wanted to be chief minister, but this was not possible as Birbal filled that position. One day Akbar praised Birbal in front of the courtier. This made the courtier very angry and he said that the king praised Birbal unjustly and if Birbal could answer three of his questions, he would accept the fact that Birbal was intelligent. Akbar always wanting to test Birbals wit readily agreed.

The three questions were

1. How many stars are there in the sky

2. Where is the centre of the Earth and

3. How many men and how many women are there in the world.

Immediately Akbar asked Birbal the three questions and informed him that if he could not answer them, he would have to resign as chief minister.

To answer the first question, Birbal brought a hairy sheep and said, “There are as many stars in the sky as there is hair on the sheep’s body. My friend the courtier is welcome to count them if he likes.”

To answer the second question, Birbal drew a couple of lines on the floor and bore an iron rod in it and said, “this is the center of the Earth, the courtier may measure it himself if he has any doubts.”

In answer to the third question, Birbal said, “Counting the exact number of men and women in the world would be a problem as there are some specimens like our courtier friend here who cannot easily be classified as either. Therefore if all people like him are killed, then and only then can one count the exact number.”

The Fox & the Goat

A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he found that he could not get out again. After he had been in the well a long time, a thirsty Goat came by. The Goat thought the Fox had gone down to drink, and so he asked if the water was good.

"The finest in the whole country," said the crafty Fox, "jump in and try it. There is more than enough for both of us."

The thirsty Goat immediately jumped in and began to drink. The Fox just as quickly jumped on the Goat's back and leaped from the tip of the Goat's horns out of the well.

The foolish Goat now saw what a plight he had got into, and begged the Fox to help him out. But the Fox was already on his way to the woods.

"If you had as much sense as you have beard, old fellow," he said as he ran, "you would have been more cautious about finding a way to get out again before you jumped in."

Look before you leap.

- Aesop's Fable

Poison

A Chinese girl named Li-li got married and lived with her mother-in-law.  Since the mother-in-law was obnoxious, Li-li decided to kill her.

Li-li went to her doctor to get slow-acting poison.  The doctor said, "Just so that people don't suspect you, treat your mother-in-law very nice, as you'd like to be treated."  So Li-li was nice to her mother-in-law as she slipped a little poison into her food each day.  

Now a funny thing happened: the two started getting along much better and became best friends.  So Li-li went back to the doctor and said, "I now love my mother-in-law and don't want to kill her; please give me something to counteract the poison."  The doctor replied, "I gave you ordinary vitamins; the only poison was in your attitude."

Original Author Unknown

The Monkeys & the Fish

The rainy season that year had been the strongest ever and the river had broken its banks.  There were floods everywhere and the animals were all running up into the hills.  The floods came so fast that many drowned except the lucky monkeys who used their proverbial agility to climb up into the treetops.  They looked down on the surface of the water where the fish were swimming and gracefully jumping out of the water as if they were the only ones enjoying the devastating flood.

One of the monkeys saw the fish and shouted to his companion: "Look down, my friend, look at those poor creatures.  They are going to drown. Do you see how they struggle in the water?"  "Yes," said the other monkey.  "What a pity! Probably they were late in escaping to the hills because they seem to have no legs.  How can we save them?"  "I think we must do something.  Let's go close to the edge of the flood where the water is not deep enough to cover us, and we can help them to get out."

So the monkeys did just that.  They started catching the fish, but not without difficulty.  One by one, they brought them out of the water and put them carefully on the dry land.  After a short time there was a pile of fish lying on the grass motionless.  One of the monkeys said, "Do you see? They were tired, but now they are just sleeping and resting.  Had it not been for us, my friend, all these poor people without legs would have drowned."

The other monkey said: "They were trying to escape from us because they could not understand our good intentions.  But when they wake up they will be very grateful because we have brought them salvation." 

Traditional Tanzanian Folktale

The Dog & Chain

Once there was a dog that barked and snapped at people all the time.  On one occasion, the dog actually bit a man.  Many people in the neighborhood were afraid of the dog.  The owner of the dog realized people were afraid to come to his house, so he had no choice but to restrain the animal by putting a collar and chain on him and tying him to a tree.

For weeks, the dog strutted around the yard with his new collar and shiny chain.  One day some of the kinder and gentler dogs in the neighborhood came to pay him a visit.  While proudly showing off his “new duds,” one of the older dogs told him, “I hope you realize your chain and collar were not given to you as a reward, but as punishment for your lack of self-discipline.” 

The dog went back to his tree; finally realizing his lack of discipline had cost him his freedom.

Author Unknown

The Wooden Bowl

There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth. His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it. And he used to look towards the table with his eyes full of tears. Once, too, his trembling hands could not hold the bowl, and it fell to the ground and broke. The young wife scolded him, but he said nothing and only sighed. Then they brought him a wooden bowl for a few half-pence, out of which he had to eat.

They were once sitting thus when the little grandson of four years old began to gather together some bits of wood upon the ground. ’What are you doing there?’ asked the father. ’I am making a little trough,’ answered the child, ’for father and mother to eat out of when I am big.’

The man and his wife looked at each other for a while, and presently began to cry. Then they took the old grandfather to the table, and henceforth always let him eat with them, and likewise said nothing if he did spill a little of anything.

By the Grimm Brothers