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The Power of Buy-In: Leading Teams to Success
One of the biggest challenges for any leader, whether in sports, business, or academics, is getting everyone on board with a shared plan. Success often depends on how well a leader can unify their team and create a sense of purpose.
However, not everyone will immediately support a new strategy or change. Some people may resist because they prefer the way things were before, while others might not fully understand why the change is necessary. Others may have personal reasons, such as feeling like their role in the group is being affected.
This is where resilient leadership becomes
important - the ability to push forward despite challenges, keep the team focused, and help everyone feel confident in the direction they’re headed.
Why Buy-In Matters
In any team or group, buy-in means more than just following instructions - it’s about believing in the plan, trusting the leader, and committing to the goal. When team members truly support a system or strategy, they work harder, communicate better, and feel more connected to the team’s success. On the other hand, if people don’t believe in the plan, it can cause confusion, frustration, and even conflict.
Without buy-in, some team members might not put in their best effort, which can hold everyone back. If leaders ignore this resistance and don’t try to bring people together, the team may struggle to achieve its goals. This is why gaining buy-in is such an important part of leadership. It keeps everyone motivated, engaged, and working toward the same goal.
How Leaders Can Build Buy-In
The best way to gain buy-in is through clear communication, strong relationships, and leading by example.
First, leaders should explain why the change is happening and how it benefits the team. People are more likely to support something when they understand its purpose.
Second, trust is key. Leaders should listen to concerns, answer questions honestly, and show that they care about the team’s success. When people feel heard and valued, they are more likely to commit.
Third, celebrating small successes along the way helps build confidence in the new approach. Recognizing effort and progress keeps the team motivated and shows that the strategy is working.
Finally, leaders must be consistent and hold everyone accountable. If someone isn’t following the plan, a strong leader will address the issue in a fair but firm way. By staying resilient, communicating clearly, and supporting their team, great leaders can turn hesitation into enthusiasm, helping everyone move forward together.
Article by Carnell Moore
8 Resilience Practices
Design Your Life for Performance, Longevity
Achieving peak performance as an athlete is more than just having natural talent or practicing regularly. It requires a holistic approach that includes nutrition, injury prevention, mental health, and disciplined routines. Elite athletes meticulously design their lives to maximize performance and longevity, and you can, too, by following these expert-backed strategies.
1. Nutrition:The Basis of Athletic Success
What you fuel your body with directly impacts how you perform on the field, court, or track. Proper nutrition ensures sustained energy, quicker recovery, and improved overall performance.
Key Nutritional Components:
Carbohydrates: These are your body’s primary energy source, especially during intense activity. Athletes should aim for 5060% of their daily intake to come from complex carbohydrates like whole grains, sweet potatoes, oats, and quinoa.
Protein: Critical for muscle repair and recovery, athletes need about 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily. Lean meats, eggs, Greek yogurt, and plantbased options like lentils and tofu are excellent choices.
Healthy Fats: Fats play a crucial role in brain function, energy storage, and reducing inflammation. Incorporate avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon into your diet.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is nonnegotiable. Dehydration of even 2% of body weight can significantly impair performance.
Drink water consistently throughout the day and replenish electrolytes with sports drinks or natural sources like coconut water during extended training sessions.
Pro Tip: Plan meals and snacks around your workouts. Eating a balanced meal 2-3 hours before exercising and refueling with a mix of carbs and protein within 30 minutes postworkout helps optimize energy and recovery.
2. Injury Prevention: Protecting Longevity
Injuries can derail your progress, sometimes permanently. Injury prevention should be a core part of every athlete’s routine.
Strategies for Staying Injury-Free:
Warm-ups: Start every workout or game with dynamic stretches and mobility exercises to increase flexibility, blood flow, and range of motion. Incorporate movements that mimic the activity you’re about to perform.
Cross-training: Avoid overuse injuries by mixing up your training. Adding low-impact activities like yoga, swimming, or cycling gives overworked muscles a break while improving overall fitness.
Recovery: Rest isn’t laziness it’s when your body rebuilds and strengthens. Sleep, in particular, is vital for muscle repair and cognitive function. Aim for 7-9 hours per night and consider naps during intensive training periods.
3. Mental Resilience: The Hidden Superpower
Physical conditioning is only part of the equation mental toughness is the gamechanger. More athletes are prioritizing mental health to gain an edge both on and off the field.
Mental Health Strategies for Athletes:
Meditation and Mindfulness: Daily mindfulness or meditation sessions can help athletes reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance performance under pressure.
Visualization: Picture yourself succeeding. Visualization techniques are proven to boost confidence and improve outcomes in competition.
Journaling: Writing about your goals, challenges, and emotions fosters selfawareness and clarity.
Athletes like J.J. Weaver have openly shared how mental health resources helped him overcome challenges. “Counseling gave me tools to process grief and become a better player and teammate,” he says.
Pro Tips for Peak Performance
Beyond nutrition, injury prevention, and
mental resilience, here are additional tips for elevating your game:
Track Progress: Use apps or fitness journals to monitor training, performance, and recovery. This data can help identify trends and areas for improvement.
Listen to Your Body: Pain is a warning sign, not something to “push through.” Address minor issues early to avoid longterm damage.
Surround Yourself with Experts: Work closely with trainers, physical therapists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals to create a well-rounded support team.
Set SMART Goals: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Regularly reassess and adjust them as needed.
Final Thoughts
Peak performance starts with taking ownership of your health and habits. From fueling your body with the right nutrients to investing in mental resilience and protecting yourself from injury, success isn’t about luck it’s about intentionality. Remember, the journey to greatness starts with you!
Stay Informed With Key Updates In Estate Planning
Estate planning laws continue to evolve, making it essential to stay informed about the latest developments. Keeping up with these changes ensures that you make the best decisions for your assets, family, and future.
Estate Planning: Beyond Wills & Trusts
While wills and trusts remain foundational elements of estate planning, modern plans often go further. With people living longer, many estate plans now include provisions for decision-making in case of physical or mental incapacity.
An estate planning attorney can assist in preparing crucial documents such as:
- Powers of attorney (POA)
- Healthcare proxies
- Advance healthcare directives
- Prenuptial agreements
- Life insurance trusts
- Medicaid and asset protection trusts
- Trusts for minor children
- Conservatorships and guardianships
Avoiding Probate May Be Easier Than Ever
More financial institutions now allow account holders to set up pay-on-death (POD) and transfer-on-death (TOD) designations, enabling assets to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate.
Additionally, some states permit enhanced life estate deeds (commonly known as “Lady Bird” deeds) to transfer real estate to a named beneficiary, helping estates bypass
probate while maintaining control during the owner’s lifetime
The Growing Demand for Special Needs Trusts
Families are increasingly recognizing the importance of financial planning for loved ones with disabilities. Special needs trusts allow individuals to inherit assets without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid and Social Security Disability.
Protecting Digital Assets in Estate Planning
As digital assets become a larger part of our lives, estate planning now includes provisions for managing online accounts, cryptocurrency, and other digital property. Many states have enacted laws granting estate administrators authority over digital
assets, but these permissions must be explicitly outlined in a will, trust, or power of attorney. A comprehensive estate plan should include an inventory of digital assets and instructions for their management
Start Planning Today
Estate planning laws continue to change, offering individuals more tools and flexibility in securing their financial legacies. By staying informed and working with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney, you can create a plan tailored to your specific needs
Consult an experienced attorney to explore the latest estate planning options and ensure that your assets are protected for the future. We work multiple estate planning attorneys to ensure your needs are met.
Article By Carnell Moore
8 STEPS TO CREATE AN ESTATE PLAN
Affordable Housing A Concern For Young Adults
Affordable housing is a critical issue for young adults as it directly impacts their financial stability, mental well-being, and ability to build a secure future. With rising rents and stagnant wages, many young people find themselves struggling to secure safe and stable living conditions. Addressing the importance of affordable housing for young adults is essential for fostering a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The Financial Impact of Affordable Housing
For young adults, affordable housing can mean the difference between achieving financial independence and falling into a cycle of debt. Housing costs are often one of the largest expenses in a person’s budget. When rent consumes a disproportionate share of income, young adults have little left for essentials such as food, transportation, and healthcare. This
financial strain also limits their ability to save for long-term goals, such as purchasing a home, investing in education, or starting a family.
Affordable housing provides stability by ensuring that young adults can allocate their income more effectively. When housing costs are manageable, they can build emergency savings, invest in skill development, and participate in the economy. This financial security also reduces reliance on credit cards or highinterest loans, which can trap individuals in long-term financial hardship.
The Role of Affordable Housing in Mental and Emotional Well-Being
The stress of unaffordable housing takes a significant toll on young adults' mental and emotional health. Constant worries about paying rent, potential eviction, or living in substandard conditions can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. These challenges are especially pronounced for young adults who are just starting their careers and may not have established support systems.
Affordable housing not only provides a stable living environment but also fosters a sense of security and peace of mind. When young adults have a safe and comfortable place to live, they can focus on personal growth, education, and career advancement without the constant distraction of housing instability. This stability can also improve relationships, social connections, and overall quality of life.
Affordable Housing and Career Development
Housing affordability significantly affects young adults’ career choices and opportunities. High housing costs in urban
areas often force individuals to live far from their workplaces, resulting in long commutes and reduced productivity. In some cases, young adults may turn down promising job offers because they cannot afford to live in proximity to employment hubs.
Affordable housing initiatives, particularly in areas with high economic activity, can bridge this gap by allowing young adults to live near their workplaces. This proximity reduces commuting times, enhances worklife balance, and opens up access to better job opportunities. Furthermore, young professionals who are not burdened by excessive housing costs can invest in professional development and take calculated risks, such as starting a business or pursuing a passion project.
Supporting Social Mobility and Economic Equality
Affordable housing is a key driver of social mobility and economic equality. For young adults from low-income or marginalized backgrounds, access to affordable housing can break the cycle of poverty and provide a foundation for upward mobility. Stable housing enables individuals to pursue higher education, vocational training, and career advancement, which are crucial for long-term economic success.
Moreover, affordable housing initiatives contribute to community diversity and inclusivity. Mixed-income neighborhoods, where people from various socioeconomic backgrounds live together, promote social cohesion and reduce segregation. Young adults who grow up or reside in such communities benefit from a richer social environment and greater exposure to diverse perspectives, which can enhance personal and professional development.
Addressing the Housing Crisis: Solutions and Recommendations
To address the growing need for affordable housing among young adults, policymakers, communities, and organizations must work together to implement effective solutions. Here are some recommendations:
- Increase Funding for Affordable Housing Programs: Governments should allocate resources to build and maintain affordable housing units, particularly in high-demand areas. Expanding subsidies and tax incentives for developers can also encourage the construction of affordable housing.
- Promote Rent Control and Tenant Protections: Implementing rent control policies can prevent excessive rent increases and protect tenants from displacement. Strengthening tenant rights ensures that young adults have access to fair and stable housing agreements.
- Encourage Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between the public and private sectors can accelerate the development of affordable housing projects. For instance, private developers can partner with local governments to create mixed-use developments that include affordable units.
- Expand Access to Housing Vouchers: Housing vouchers can help low-income young adults bridge the gap between market rents and their ability to pay. Expanding these programs ensures that more individuals have access to safe and affordable housing.
- Support Co-Living and Innovative Housing Models: Co-living spaces and micro-apartments offer affordable alternatives for young adults. These models optimize space and provide shared amenities, reducing costs while fostering a sense of community.
- Invest in Transportation Infrastructure: Improving public transportation systems can make it easier for young adults to access affordable housing in suburban or rural areas without sacrificing job opportunities in urban centers.
Conclusion
Affordable housing is not just a necessity for young adults; it is a fundamental pillar of a thriving society. By ensuring that young people have access to stable and affordable living conditions, we empower them to build secure futures, contribute to the economy, and lead fulfilling lives. Addressing the housing crisis
We Can All Give Back To Help Others
Many celebrities use their fame, wealth, and influence to uplift and support those in need. Whether through direct community engagement, charitable foundations, or advocacy work, these public figures are making a significant impact. Below are two recent examples of celebrities dedicated to helping others and creating positive change.
Meghan Markle and Kimberly WilliamsPaisley: Community-Focused Philanthropy
Last year, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was seen dining with actress
Kimberly Williams-Paisley in Montecito, California. While the meeting may have seemed like a casual gathering, their connection runs deeper than shared alumni status at Northwestern University. Both women have dedicated much of their time and resources to philanthropic efforts focused on supporting communities in need.
Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry pictured below, founded the Archewell Foundation in 2020. The organization focuses on community development, mental health awareness, and food security. Through this foundation,
Meghan and Harry have collaborated with chef José Andrés’ (pictured top right) World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to people affected by disasters and food insecurity worldwide. Their work has helped deliver aid to struggling families and frontline workers in crisis situations.
Similarly, Kimberly and her husband, country musician Brad Paisley (pictured bottom right), founded The Store, a non-profit grocery store in Nashville. The Store provides free groceries to families in need, operating as a year-round food assistance program for people facing food insecurity.
Unlike traditional food banks, The Store offers a dignified shopping experience, allowing families to pick out their own groceries, ensuring they receive the food they need while maintaining a sense of normalcy. This initiative has supported thousands of families and continues to expand its services to reach more people in need.
Meghan and Kimberly’s recent meeting highlights a shared commitment to community service and philanthropy. Both women are passionate about using their influence to create programs that directly impact people's lives, providing crucial resources for those who need them most.
From funding free grocery stores to providing meals for disaster victims, their work is making a difference. But giving back isn’t just for the famous. what are you doing to help others?
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