These are 4 questions from Lilly Moore in response to my AMA last week:
1. What qualities do you look for in the people you choose to work with and partner with in business? How do these elements lead people to success?
The qualities I look for in people I choose to work with and partner with are no different than those I would look for if I am looking for a travel buddy or romantic partner. I want to get stuck in an airport with you because we have so much to talk about. I want to partner with someone who can get stuck on an a deserted island with me and we are going to figure out how to have a good time making food, catching fish, and making up theories as to why we are abandon on the island in the first place.
2. What successes in your life are you most proud of?
Natalie is my first partner in life and 22 years later, still is. I was pretty much going at life solo until I met her and started making kids, and doing business together. I am most proud that we were able to figure out around the 19 year mark. We recognized what we are both the best at in the partnership and feel like we can do anything together. That is success to me. It was a marathon of many years to get there and not an overnight success.
3. Have you ever struggled with mental illness or do you have people close to you who are plagued with depression, anxiety, adhd, or other challenges?
I have had ADHD since childhood and was constantly in trouble and I was the black sheep of any grouping of people. I flipped the script and realized that I loved my chemical imbalance and being a black sheep is my gift to the world. I have children with crippling anxiety. The things that are considered “plagues” are possibly the manifesting our very gifts. Embrace all the parts of you that might seem undesirable and reverse engineer how that could be your superpower and how you are specifically adapted to see and do things no one else around you can see or do. My kids will do exactly as they are supposed to do with the talents they have.
4. Can we be besties?
I am you, you are me, we are already besties because a wise person told me to love my neighbor in the same way I love myself. I am best friends with me, I am best friends with you. This took me 42 years to figure out, but anyone that wants to be a bestie can show up as a bestie and I will reciprocate. Time is the only enemy to having a million besties.
Loved the questions Lilly! See you around
Happy 4:20 to all my other besties reading this that I haven’t met yet.
SP
There are not many marriages who can figure out a partnership through all of life's changes, or realize that it is an equal partnership. It deserves no less, and even more time, than we put into our business partnerships. It can be the foundation upon which all is built.
I have certainly struggled with the challenge of mental illness and anxiety with one child in particular. I love your answer which I forwarded to her. To accept that as a part of our being and possibly learn to love that part as equally as the others is a challenge for sure, but maybe that change in thought process could help.
Many of your posts share elements of your journey that closely reflect my own experiences. I appreciate this post very much. Glad you've figured out how to live your life in such a way that works so well for you and those around you. That makes me happy. My greatest joy is seeing others get what is most important to them. Keep making a positive difference, Scott!