Green Egg & Ham

I ran into my friend, Abby, yesterday and asked her about her Easter weekend. She mentioned her family had smoked ham and a ton of other food. Then, she added, “They smoked it on a green egg smoker.” This launched into an entirely different conversation, leading another person to laugh about the fact someone would make a smoker in the form of a green egg. Who does that? Why would they do that? What’s the point of doing that?

I quickly pointed out there may be one very simple reason why someone would create a smoker in the form of a green egg. We’re talking about how the ham was smoked on a Big Green Egg smoker. Had it been any other smoker, the conversation would have simply gone, “smoked ham.” But here we were, a bunch of amateur non-meat smokers going on and on about a green egg smoker. Geniuses, I tell you!

Between my businesses and my clients’ businesses, I think about this idea a lot. What makes you/me/them stand out? What makes people pause, tilt their heads, and ask questions? What draws people to you? We may not have something as quirky as a green egg to smoke meats on, but we do have something. Here’s the irony. We often try to smooth out our uniqueness to fit in with the crowd. If the Big Green Egg did that, they would just be a regular ‘ol smoker. Instead, we should embrace what makes us different from others and lean into that thing.

Just the other day, I was meeting with a couple. They asked me an interesting question, to which I gave them an honest answer. The wife responded, “I think you’re the only person who would have ever given us that answer……..*pause*………..and we expected you would say something like that.” To be honest, it would be easier if I would just mold myself to be more like everyone else, giving the same advice. After all, I don’t always enjoy the pushback and criticism. It can be exhausting at times. But I need to be genuinely me and not be scared to do so. It’s a battle at times, but a battle worth fighting.

The same goes for you. Don't water down your gifts or what makes you unique. People can go anywhere for the ordinary……they come to you for you. Whether that’s through the lens of you as an employee, friend, family member, or business owner, the world deserves to get the full and real you.

Not All Days Are Created Equal

Sometimes, life feels repetitive. The same rhythm, the same routine, the same responsibilities, the same drives. Even when these things align with your values and mission, the repetitiveness can make us weary at times. But not all days are created equal. Some days just stand out. Some days are different. A special event, meeting someone new, reconnecting with an old friend, starting a new project. These types of days are special, but they wouldn’t be special if it weren’t for the “normal” days. It’s kind of like a vacation. A vacation is a vacation because not every day is a vacation. If every day were a vacation, a vacation wouldn’t be a vacation. Can we make up a new term and just call it the “vacation paradox”?

Today is one of those special days. Easter Sunday. For us, it’s an Easter egg hunt, church, special food, time with our nieces, and extra play time with the boys. Whatever your day looks like, I hope you enjoy it. Don’t take it for granted, but also don’t overlook the importance of the “normal” days. Without them, this special day wouldn’t be special.

Short and sweet today. Enjoy your special day…..and the not-so-special days. Happy Easter, everyone! See you tomorrow.