We have a saying here in Michigan, “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, it will change.” That statement is also true about life.  If you don’t like your life, trust me, it will change.  Whether is changes for the better or worse is up to you.

When it comes to change, fear is often the leading emotion.  We fear the unknown; we are afraid of a future we cannot see.  But the truth is, knowing is not knowing.  It’s an illusion created by our unconscious to protect us from the idea that there may not be a day after tomorrow.

A truth I am learning to embrace is that change IS the only constant.  Nature changes daily.  The rivers flow, the oceans churn, the air cycles around the earth; the air you are breathing right now is not the air from your last breath.   We face change every moment of every day without thinking about it, let alone fearing it.

My challenge for you, hunters: see change as opportunity.  Here are a few reminders on how to get to a place of clarity and fearlessness when it comes to change:

• Get above and clear about how you feel, sometimes all you need is a different perspective to see the possibilities.

• Sit down with a person who knows nothing about what you are facing and lay it out for them. Another set of eyes can often see what is not apparent when you are too close to the challenge.

• Take a look around you. As I said earlier, the earth is in a constant state of change. Pick up on the details of those changes so you can recognize the changes in your life.

• Take a break. As parents, we don’t always see the small daily changes in our kids.  And then one day you see them from afar, and they are inches taller overnight!  Sometimes you need to take a step back to see what was happening right in front of your eyes.

As hunters, we are always looking for the next shot, the next opportunity to take down a target.  Change gives us that shot every day; it’s up to you to take it or not.

I’ve been waiting…and waiting…and waiting for spring to come and to get outside to look for my beloved morel mushrooms. Not that I haven’t been looking…out car windows and while on walking meetings, during teambuilding retreats and every chance I get!  And this weekend, (Memorial Weekend!) was going to be the culmination of my morel season – three full days on the farm with my family, nothing but mushroom hunting with my wife and sons, surrounded by nature.

At least that’s how it was going to happen.  As it turns out, the thoughts I was thinking in my head never made it to my wife’s ears.  And now we have other plans, and my hunt is not to be.  And you know what? It’s fine with me.  Because I love hunting for morels.  And I’ve been doing it all spring, and I’ll do it next spring too.  My passion is for hunting morels, not picking or eating, but seeking out the clues and finding all their secret hiding spots.  It’s like a mystery made just for me.  And I love it.

So it got me to thinking about how much of my spirit, my soul, is fulfilled by hunting.  Building companies? Hunting! Finding talent? Hunting!  Making connections? Hunting!  Finding out what makes people tick? Hunting!  The pursuit of my passions is my passion.

Now is the time to dig in, hunters, and figure out what your passion is.  What are the actions that make you happy?  What days leave your heart and soul feeling satisfied?  My bet is those aren’t the days you finished something, but the days you spent pursuing what you love.  Last week, I wrote how people are what they do. If action is the thing that defines us, then my mantra continues to be: I hunt, therefore I am.  What’s yours?

We are social animals, and words are our toys.  We say or write (or text, let’s be real) all types of things that, in turn, create feelings of love or frustration or anger in the recipient. Words have great power and are often wielded without much consideration for the damage they can do, whether it is creating hope where there is none or slicing deep, creating a wound that festers.

I hope by now you have all taken my communication mantra to heart: the meaning of communication is the message received.  I want to give you a new skill to add to your communication toolbox.  It is another go-to mantra passed on to me in many forms, but here it is in a nutshell: People are What They Do.  This applies in business, in parenting, in marriage.

If you find yourself confused about a message left unanswered or an unexpected response, do not create excuses.  Yes, things get held up all the time, but if someone wants to talk to you, engage your business or go on a date, they will find a way to make it happen.  Actions speak louder than words.  People are what they do.

Here are a few words of advice from one hunter to another:

Only raise your weapon if you are going to shoot.  If you say you are going to do something, do it.  Don’t say “I’ll call you” if you have no intention of following through on it.

If you are putting on your camo, you might as well go hunting.  People lose confidence at the last minute.  So if you are suited up and ready to go, that is the time to get fired up!

Keep track of your arrows.  If you even think you accidentally wound an animal in the field, you show compassion and track it down to minimize any suffering or ensure its safety.  This applies to communication as well.  If you think you may have misfired an email or are hearing alarm bells in your head after a conversation, reach out for clarity.

So often, we get caught up with the judge, spinning stories in our mind about whys and whens without considering facts. Now, more than ever, hunters, we need to stay above and clear.  Be a scout, lead with strength and take down your targets!

When I sit back and look at the success of HealthRise, Carbon Media, even the speaking and consulting opportunities, I couldn’t be prouder.  None of it would be possible without my father, Burt and Farbman Group, now helmed by my brother, Andy.  This week, the company our father, my hero, Burt Farbman, started with 13 cents and a dream celebrated its 40th anniversary.  Farbman Group is the Mother Ship for my brother Andy and me – the birthplace of our passion for real estate, the training ground for structuring deals, the master’s class in service and dedication.  (Oh, and AFarbz may have done a little stint on Wall Street #stud)

Thanks to Burt’s vision and foresight, he created a rock solid foundation on which the high rise of today’s Farbman Group is built.  My brother, Andy, and I and a team of great people have all played a role in laying the bricks, building the infrastructure, and shingling the roof, but without the solid start formulated by my dad, none of our hard work would have had the same effect.

Burt created a real estate company designed to be nearly recession-proof.  Rents and occupancy go up and down, but some services are always needed. Farbman Group is a full-service company, and service never goes out style and has value in any economy.  Andy has taken the company nationwide and international with service always being a priority.

This past Tuesday, my dad, my brother and I stood in front of 800+ people in the amazing building, The Standard (90,000 square feet of office space available if anyone’s looking :)). That moment will be forever frozen in my mind as a reminder of how grateful and blessed we all are to be a part of a family business.  Tears of pride flowed freely, and I felt my soul fill with gratitude for having been a part of it.

My hunters, take a moment now to be grateful for your family, the values they have instilled in you and the strong foundation in your life that helps you be the successful businessperson, parent and human being you are today.

Here’s to 40 more years of Farbman success and to the successful pursuits of your hunt!