Hello Conners Team Family,

As many of you know firsthand, the beauty of owning your own business comes with many challenges and stress inducing, sleepless nights. Whether it’s finding ways to manage revenue, navigating changing economic landscapes, or just day to day nuances, being in charge is not for the faint of heart. But it is also the purest form of reward and satisfaction that bestows a freedom onto those willing to travel that unchaperoned road.  

In my real estate business, I enjoy the satisfaction of not only having connections with clients that grow out of thin air over the course of sometimes just forty-five days into lifelong friendships, but also watch from the sidelines as that phenomenon happens to others on the team. I get to call my own shots or choose to bestow a big directional decision onto a member of my team.  Probably most importantly, I can dictate my hours on a daily basis with intentional moments of pause to find balance with what is most important.

One of those intentional moments happened recently when we celebrated Father’s Day. I disconnected from my phone for most of the day. Whether or not I completely succeeded is open for debate, but the intent was certainly there and planned. That disconnect gave me a chance to reconnect with my family that day and also reflect on the importance of fatherhood.  FATHERHOOD -- not just being a dad. Anyone can be a dad, but fatherhood requires more. Fatherhood requires being there and being a guiding light. It requires time invested or listening. We could define it for hours, but in the spirit of losing you, here’s my broader point. I think a “father” has a broader definition. We are touched by so many people in this way throughout our lives and it is important to recognize them.  

While I had a “dad”, he wasn’t much of a father, but I’ve been blessed with so many other people in my life that have come in many forms. I have an uncle who, to this day, I communicate with several times a week. Even though he lived 1500 miles away, he was emotionally there for me as I grew up. Thank you, Uncle Mark. I had a grandmother who taught me how to fish and be there, as she was there every day of my life growing up. Thank you, Grandma. (And yes, she could whip your dad.) I’ve had clients who provided guidance without knowing it. One of my very first clients and his family went on to be family to my family. He has shown me how to circle the wagons around his family and cherish those moments. Thank you, Bob Lowe. Another client, whose kids were grown when we met, showed me patience, kindness, calm and what it means to maintain an even composure. Thank you, Tom Berry. I had a best friend growing up whose dad always coached our teams, took us hunting and fishing, and didn’t ask for anything in return. Thank you, Wilbur.

I have been blessed. If we all think about it, regardless of our situations, we can find the benediction of many in our own lives. Take the time to thank them, or acknowledge them, and let them know that you know they were there. Send them a note. Share a text. Call them randomly. Just let them know.

Thank you to all the fathers out there – you deserve more than just a day. And thank you to all of you for letting me share with you how important the role models in my life have been through the years in this July blog. We are truly blessed by all of you.

~ Mike