"On the Offense" recap by Margaret O'Reilly

We were thrilled to have Michael Fullon from Hodge Company speak at our recent Young Professionals luncheon. His talk, titled "On the Offense," provided invaluable insights into personal and professional growth.

Michael outlined the three types of people in the world:

1. Stupid - Those who never learn from their mistakes.
2. Smart - Those who make mistakes and learn from them.
3. Geniuses - Those who learn from others' failures and their own.

Foundation to Success: Own Your Success
Michael emphasized the importance of taking control of our destinies. His mantra, "On the Offense," revolves around three core concepts:

1. Who I Am - Understanding oneself.
2. Who I Become - Making conscious decisions to improve.
3. Who I Aspire to Be - Focusing on growth and overcoming struggles.

Personal Story: The Pivotal Moment
Michael shared a formative experience from his childhood. Excited about a school science day, he forgot to bring his project. His teacher asked him to talk about his chosen animal, and when he wasn't prepared, she simply said, "You can sit down." This moment taught him the importance of always being prepared.

Internal vs. External Locus of Control
He discussed the concept of locus of control:

• Internal Locus of Control - Believing you can control your destiny through your actions.
• External Locus of Control - Believing that external factors dictate your life.

Life Challenges and Family
Michael opened up about the challenges of fatherhood, recounting a particularly difficult night that led him to read "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod. Implementing morning routines helped him handle difficult situations better.

Success Habits
Michael stressed the importance of habits and systems in achieving success:

• Morning Routine - Begins the night before with planning.
• Mindfulness and Intention - Starting the day with focus.
• Movement - Physical activity to energize the body.

Time Management
He highlighted the significance of owning your time:

• Maintain Tasks - Necessary tasks with consequences if neglected.
• Gain Tasks - Tasks that drive you forward and often lack external accountability.

Work/Life Integration
Michael compared life to a jar of golf balls, emphasizing the need to prioritize the most important things. He and his wife use a family calendar to ensure they stay on track with their priorities.

Growth Mindset
He differentiated between a fixed mindset, which relies on innate talent, and a growth mindset, which values effort and persistence.

Fear of Failure
Michael discussed balancing fear with the willingness to take action, citing his experience in the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race. Preparation and perseverance were key to his success.

Confidence and Action
Confidence, according to Michael, comes from mastery and the ability to figure things out. He stressed that preparation without action is wasted potential.

Final Challenge
Michael encouraged everyone to embrace challenges and take immediate action when motivated. His closing message: "Go back and do something hard. Be on the offense."

Thank you, Michael, for an enlightening and motivating speech that left us all ready to tackle our own challenges head-on.