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54 Years - 54 Lessons - written by Jon Gordon- www.jongordon.com I turned 54 January 20th. I've learned a lot over the years and thought it would be fun and hopefully helpful to share 54 lessons I've learned along the way. I believe age is just a number. My motto each year has been younger, stronger, wiser and better. I often tell my kids I refuse to age. But I have to admit that turning 54 has made me reflect on life, where I've been and where I'm going. I have decided I'm going for 100. In the words Jon Bon Jovi, I'm more than halfway there... living on a prayer. :) I want to thank you for allowing me to speak into your life with this newsletter. It's been one of the most special and meaningful things I've done with my life. Thank you for reading it! Here are my 54 lessons in 54 years: 1) You don't choose when you were born but you can make a lot of choices that determine how you live. 2) The greatest gifts you can give your children is to love and believe in them. My parents did that for me. 3) If you want something you will have to work for it. 4) A teacher or coach who believes in you can change the course or your life. 5) Be nice to everyone in high school. My high school friend Mark Rathjen is the reason why I got on the Today Show years ago that helped launch my career as a writer. 6) Grit is not something you develop. It's something we are all born with. The key is to remember you've always had it. 7) Don't worry about your greatness in the future. Just be great today. 8) Do your best and let God do the rest. I used to worry so much. When I stopped worrying and started trusting things worked out. 9) It's more important to have vision than plans. You'll often have to change plans to realize your vision. 10) Talkers talk and doers do. Be a doer. 11) Your belief will determine what you create. 12) Don't listen to the naysayers. Listen to your heart that knows you were born to do this. 13) The career your parents would choose for you may not be the one meant for you. My mom wanted me to be an attorney. 14) Keep dreaming even when your circumstances tell you it's not going to happen. 15) When you serve others and help them grow, you grow. 16) Don't chase success. Decide to make a difference and success will find you. 17) Being positive doesn't just make you better. It makes everyone around you better. 18) Make your family a priority. They will be the ones crying at your funeral and miss you long after you're gone. 19) Failure is your partner in growth. It doesn't define you. It refines you. 20) Make daily exercise a part of your life. I walk or run almost every day and play a lot of pickleball with guys in their late 20's and early 30's. 21) Food is medicine. What you eat has a huge influence on your gut health, brain health and immune system. 22) The more I love my wife, the more I love my life. 23) Happiness is an inside job. Don't expect other people or things to make you happy. 24) You have to love what you do. If you don't love it you'll never work to be great at it. 25) Sometimes you have to lose a goal to find your destiny. I lost a race for the city council of Atlanta when I was 26 and it led me ultimately to do this work. 26) Garth Brooks was right. Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. 27) Don't be bitter. Get better. 28) Forgiveness is the ultimate weight loss. 29) Don't hold grudges. When people wronged me I didn't sue or fight. I learned from it and moved on. I focused on my future instead of fighting about the past and prospered as a result. 30) Your health is priceless. If you lose it you’ll spend wherever it takes to get it back. 31) Laughter is good for the heart and soul. 32) So often the worst event of your life prepares you for the greatest assignment of your life. 33) People connect to you the most when you are being authentic and vulnerable. 34) Relationships are everything. 35) Don't seek happiness. Decide to work with passion and purpose and happiness will find you. 36) Never stop learning and growing. If you stay humble and hungry great things will continue to happen. 37) Commitments are greater than goals. It is your commitments that lead you to your goals. 38) Being a great parent and leader requires service, sacrifice and humility. 39) When you appreciate, you elevate your mood and the people around you. 40) Love is more powerful than fear. 41) When I'm speaking the genius is not on stage. It's in the audience. My job is to unleash their genius. 42) Abundance flows into your life when gratitude flows out of your heart. 43) There are a lot of great people in the world. Be an encourager and you’ll find them, and they will find you. 44) Being positive doesn’t mean you ignore reality. It means you maintain optimism and belief to create a better reality. 45) No one creates success alone. We all need a team to be successful. 46) God's plan is greater than our plan. 47) The more you give the more it comes back to you. It's not why you do it but it's what happens. 48) Just as stars shine the brightest in the darkness, positive people shine the most through adversity. 49) My faith in God doesn’t make life easier. It makes me stronger. 50) Ego disconnects you from others and God while Humility connects you to others and God. 51) Your kids are always watching you and listening to you even if they act like they aren't. My daughter at the age of 26 is now a public speaker with a mission to impact others like me and it’s because she saw me speak it and more importantly live it. 52) Consistency Compounds. Consistently do the work and improve consistently, and over time you will see exponential results and impact. 53) You can’t touch belief but you can feel it. You can’t measure it but you know when a person or team has it. As you rise to new levels you will experience new devils. Your belief needs to rise higher to meet your bigger tests. 54) The best is still yet to come. www.answeringservice.us

Winter is in full swing, and with the chilly temperatures and unpredictable weather, it’s important to stay prepared. Whether you’re cozying up at home, working in the office, or braving the outdoors, here are some essential tips to help you stay warm and safe this season. Tips for Staying Warm Layer Up: Dressing in layers helps trap body heat and keeps you insulated. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add an insulating layer, and finish with a waterproof outer layer. Keep Moving: Physical activity generates heat, so try to move around periodically to stay warm. Stay Hydrated: It’s easy to forget to drink water when it’s cold, but staying hydrated helps your body regulate temperature more effectively. How to Keep Your Home or Office Warm Seal Drafts: Inspect windows and doors for drafts and use weather stripping or caulk to seal any gaps. Use Curtains Wisely: Open curtains during the day to let sunlight in and close them at night to retain heat. Optimize Heating Systems: Ensure your heating system is serviced and working efficiently. Change air filters regularly to maintain airflow. Staying Safe Outside in Winter Conditions Walk with Caution: Ice and snow can create slippery surfaces. Walk slowly, take short steps, and use salt or sand to improve traction on walkways. Drive Safely: If you must drive, ensure your vehicle is winter-ready with good tires, antifreeze, and emergency supplies like blankets and a flashlight. Emergency Preparedness: Keep a winter emergency kit in your car, including jumper cables, a first aid kit, snacks, and extra clothing. Winter can be challenging, but with the right precautions, you can stay warm, safe, and comfortable whether you're at home, at work, or on the go. Stay prepared, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Answering Service.US for any assistance you may need during these colder months! hello@answeringservice.us or 1.800.457.6217 www.answeringservice.us

Have you ever wondered, “What the heck is an answering service?”—don’t worry, you’re not alone. People often think answering services are stuck in the past, with operators just picking up phones and scribbling down messages. But we’re here to let you in on a little secret: modern answering services (like ours!) do so much more than answer your phone. What Exactly Do We Do? Let’s set the record straight. Yes, we answer your phone, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Think of us as an extension of your team—a friendly, efficient, and highly professional face for your business. Here’s a glimpse of what we can handle for you:  Scheduling Appointments : Forget the back-and-forth chaos of booking appointments. We’ll handle your scheduling, keeping your calendar organized and your clients happy. Screening Calls : Not every call needs your immediate attention. We filter through the noise, passing along the important stuff while handling the rest ourselves. Providing Estimates : We can provide preliminary quotes or estimates, saving your team valuable time and helping prospects get what they need quickly. Level One Support : Got FAQs or basic troubleshooting requests? We’ve got it covered, so your team can focus on the more complex tasks. Answering and Responding to Texts and Emails : Yep, we’re not just about phone calls. Texts and emails? Consider them handled. Your Business Is Our Business When you hire an answering service, you’re not just outsourcing a task—you’re gaining a partner who’s just as invested in your success as you are. We take the time to understand your brand, your voice, and your unique needs. Whether we’re chatting with a potential customer or resolving a current client’s concern, we’re representing you. That means when your customers call, they’re greeted by a friendly voice that feels like part of your team—because we are. We don’t just answer the phone; we create experiences that keep your clients coming back. Why Would You Need an Answering Service? Running a business is tough. You’ve got a million things on your plate, and customer communication is just one of them. That’s where we come in—to make your life easier and your business more efficient. With us, you can: Focus on growing your business while we handle the day-to-day communication. Never miss an opportunity—whether it’s a lead, a loyal customer, or a new partnership. Provide seamless, professional service around the clock. The Bottom Line So, what the heck is an answering service? It’s not just a service; it’s a solution. It’s peace of mind knowing your business is in good hands. And it’s your secret weapon for better customer service, more organized operations, and a stronger bottom line. Ready to take the leap? Let’s chat! Your business deserves an answering service that’s as committed to excellence as you are. hello@answeringservice.us or 1.877.457.6217. www.answeringservice.us

Winter Vacations

Happy New Year! 🎉 As we step into 2025, let’s take a moment to appreciate you . That’s right—you’ve made it through the highs, the lows, and everything in between of 2024. Maybe you grew your business, crushed some goals, or just managed to keep your plants alive (hey, a win’s a win). Whatever your year looked like, we’re here to say: bravo! While other blogs might be telling you to set goals and make resolutions, we’re here to tell you something different. Let’s talk about how awesome you already are. Think about all the fires you put out (hopefully metaphorically) this past year. The late nights, the early mornings, the "didn't I just answer that email?" moments—you’re running the show like a pro. But let’s not sugarcoat it—running a business can be exhausting. Whether you’re managing a team, answering endless client calls, or just trying to figure out where that missing invoice went, the grind is real. And that’s where we come in. At AnsweringService.US, we’re not just an answering service; we’re your business’s secret weapon. Need someone to take the calls so you can focus on the big stuff? Done. Want to make sure every client feels like a VIP? That’s our thing. We’ve got your back, so you can get back to doing what you do best—building your empire. Now, as we head into 2025, let’s make a pact. This year, let’s find the fun. Celebrate the little victories, laugh at the inevitable mishaps, and keep moving forward. Let’s turn those challenges into opportunities and those opportunities into success stories. You’ve got the talent, the drive, and the passion. And with us in your corner, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. So here’s to you—our clients, partners, and friends. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable, together. Cheers to the new year!! 🎉🎉 www.answeringservice.us

'Twas an Answering Service Christmas!