Blake Aviles’ Post

Monday Morning Mileage: Gratitude Fuels the Journey As we head into Thanksgiving week, I can’t help but reflect on the people and moments that make this journey worthwhile. In sales, logistics, or any profession, it’s easy to focus on the grind—the deadlines, the goals, the next big deal. But this week, I’m reminded of the importance of pausing to appreciate the road we’re on and the people traveling it with us. I remember a Thanksgiving (Several years ago) when I was brokering freight and stressing over a missed delivery. A driver called me—he’d been on the road for days and was delivering this shipment early in preparation for Black Friday. As we talked, I asked him what he missed most about Thanksgiving at home. Without hesitation, he said, “The noise. The house full of family, the sound of my kids laughing, and even the chaos of the family dramas” That conversation stuck with me. It reminded me of the sacrifices so many in this industry make to keep things moving, even when it means missing those irreplaceable moments at home. This week, let’s take a moment to be grateful—for the colleagues who go the extra mile, for the clients who trust us, and for the families who support us on the road and at home. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling; it’s the fuel that keeps us grounded and motivated. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Let’s carry that sense of gratitude with us, not just this week but every mile of the journey. #MondayMorningMileage #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #ProfessionalGrowth MileMaker

Thanksgiving is always a reminder for me that the year is about over. In full candidness, I don't think about turkey, food and desserts during this time. Instead I think about: - Who am I still in contact with? - Who did I lose touch with this year (intentionally and accidentally)? - Why did it happen, or continue, with this person? - Who did I make promises to and did I keep it - or miss it? - Who did I help directly/proactively - and who helped me through challenges? - Who did I forget to say THANK YOU to during this year (and can still do it)? Though I keep a laser-focused approach the majority of the time, those questions (around this season) always make me remember PEOPLE. Not food. Not how much I'm going to eat. Not how much holiday cheer I'll sip on. Not Black Friday sales. Not politics. People. People I've connected with. People I've meant to connect with (and probably still haven't - but working on it 😉 ). The way I've intended to make people feel and how they've made me feel (whether successfully or still a work in progress). All of the above is the measure of it all. Take that (people) away, and everything else is just "stuff". About 95% of people I'm connected with on LinkedIN is someone I know personally, have worked with before or engaged with for a specific reason first. I don't believe in, or like, just connecting for connections sake. So if we're connected on LinkedIN at this time, THANK YOU for making time for me to be part of your Life - even for just a moment. THANK YOU for taking the time to respond. THANK YOU for chatting with me at the event. THANK YOU for working with me long enough to know/learn each other enough to connect here (even if we didn't ever have lunch). THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts, insights and experience with me. If we're still connected here on LinkedIN, but it's been awhile since we've chatted one-one-on, THANK YOU for choosing to stick around. We'll get there [I promise...? 😏]. In any case, please know - I'm thankful for you. Because (still) being here, means you're allowing us (you and I) another shot to reconnect directly. That is what makes today, tomorrow, next week and next [fill in the blank] - worth it all. Happy holidays to you (directly from me).

Thanksgiving weekend is special. (Secret ways to enjoy the holiday aftermath) 1. Leftovers, pie & coffee for breakfast: • Leftovers somehow taste even better than Thanksgiving day. • Enjoy a slice of pie with your morning coffee. • Relax and enjoy at least 1 day without rushing. 2. Football and holiday movies: • Watch football or don't. When it's on, and family is around, you know it's Thanksgiving weekend. • Put on Christmas Vacation or Elf. Never gets old. • Stay home and don't feel bad about doing nothing. 3. Black Friday shopping and naps: • Black Friday deals for family, friends AND yourself.  • Amazon and done. • Indulge in afternoon naps. You gotta recharge and relax. 4. Holiday music and gratitude: • Play holiday music...nostalgia. • Reflect on the things you are grateful for. • Share the joy and gratitude with your loved ones. When the Thanksgiving weekend arrives,  I embrace the chance to slow down and enjoy. Now I appreciate: → WHAT makes these moments special. → WHEN to take a break and recharge. → WHO to spend quality time with during the holidays. You enjoy more when you cherish the little things. You feel grateful when you share the joy. Who knows what next year will bring? Gratitude is a mindset. Not an occasion. Enjoy the present. ♻️ Repost or 👍 if you can relate and are enjoying this long holiday weekend.

🎄 Meaningful Gifts: The True Spirit of Christmas 🎄 While gifts are wonderful, it’s the meaning behind them that truly lasts. This holiday season, let’s focus on what really matters. Let’s Fill Our “Gift Lists” with Heartfelt Offerings ⬇️ This Christmas, let’s prioritize gifts that come from the heart, not just from Amazon. Here’s how we can make this season truly meaningful: - 🎁 Give Gratitude: Express appreciation for those you love. - 🎁 Wrap Up Kindness: Share acts of kindness instead of just presents. - 🎁 Light Up Smiles: Spread joy and laughter beyond just decorating trees. - 🎁 Create Memories: Focus on experiences rather than shopping lists. - 🎁 Serve Joy: Share happiness around the dinner table. - 🎁 Offer Your Time: Spend quality time together rather than just giving material things. - 🎁 Share Laughter: Create joyful moments, not just leftovers. - 🎁 Show Patience: Wrap every interaction in understanding and care. - 🎁 Exchange Empathy: Foster connections instead of simply trading gift cards. - 🎁 Deck the Halls with Compassion: Fill your home with warmth and kindness. This Christmas, let’s go beyond material gifts and embrace the true spirit of giving. Because the best gifts don’t come with a price tag or an Amazon Prime subscription—they come straight from the heart. What will you give this Christmas that transcends a simple gift? 💖 Img credits: Sean McPheat

Do you already miss December? I do. December seems to bring out the best in us—as people and as businesses. As people, we focus on joy and peace for ourselves, our families, and the world (except for Black Friday—a topic for another time 😉). As businesses, we often go full throttle, putting in 110% effort to meet strategic and tactical goals set for the end of the year. We chase results because those end-of-year numbers might lead to the maximum bonus—if eligible. Yet, we still find ways to celebrate. We embrace the season, no matter our traditions. We offer gifts to our customers and employees. We accommodate school plays and family obligations. We relax and accomplish goals, which seems paradoxical for the other eleven months. And we seem... happy. Hmmm… So, instead of creating a list of resolutions for 2025, I’m looking for ways to continue the spirit of the holiday season all year long. * How can I keep that sense of urgency to accomplish big goals for myself and my clients in thirty to sixty days? * How can I offer peace and grace to others when needed? * How can I be more joyful—in both business and life? I encourage you to do the same. What can you do to keep the holiday spirit alive all year long? Comment below and share your ideas—in true LinkedIn spirit. Stay jolly, my friends! 🎄✨

It’s officially one month until Christmas. 🎄 Cue the jingle bells, the Black Friday hustle, and the festive frenzy of Christmas markets and year-end functions! For many of our retail clients, this is your busiest—and most profitable—time of the year. It’s exciting, but let’s be real: it’s also chaotic. From last-minute stocking decisions to managing long queues, the pressure can be relentless. Here are a few survival tips to keep you (and your sanity) intact: 🎯 Plan Smart, Hustle Smarter: Whether it’s stocking up for Black Friday or prepping for holiday sales, work your plan—but don’t be afraid to pivot if things go sideways. Flexibility is your best friend this season. ☕ Fuel Yourself First: When was the last time you sat down for a proper meal or even a cup of tea? (And no, a pie and Coke doesn’t count!) Take time to recharge—it’s the only way you’ll make it to December 25th. 💳 Mind Your Cash Flow: This is a season of big spending, but don’t let the inflow and outflow of cash overwhelm you. Use tools like payment gateways and track every cent to avoid nasty surprises in January. 🎄 Keep the Festive Spirit Alive: You’re not just selling products or running events—you’re creating moments of joy for your customers. Celebrate that! The little smiles, the repeat customers, and the gratitude in someone’s eyes are the best reminders of why you do what you do. 🌟 Look Ahead: It’s not just about surviving the next month; it’s about setting yourself up for success in the new year. While you’re decking the halls, take a moment to reflect on what’s worked this year and what you’d like to do differently in 2025. The countdown to Christmas has officially begun! Keep pushing, keep thriving, and remember—we’re cheering you on from behind the scenes (and the spreadsheets). You’ve got this! 💪

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 November Market Updates are here: Thanksgiving is almost here, marking the perfect time to reflect on gratitude and financial mindfulness. In this month’s video, Karen shares: 📈 Market Insights: The market has surged post-election, but much depends on the upcoming transition period and first 100 days of the new administration. “Hang in there” is the message for navigating these shifts. 💸 Holiday Spending Tips: The average American racks up $1,500–$2,000 in Thanksgiving-related credit card debt. Karen emphasizes: “Just because it’s a good deal, doesn’t mean you need it!” to help you avoid unnecessary holiday prep and Black Friday overspending. As we celebrate the month of gratitude, let’s focus on what truly matters—family, friends, and financial peace of mind. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

When you're in my world, be prepared to blow it the f*ck up. Having a 19k Day Followed by a 13k Day Followed by 7k in an Hour Without live launching a god damn thing Here's how we do this: We're going to take what you're already doing for your high ticket 1:1s (insane value) and implement my Iconic micro genius offers method. Because you're so deep in your work, you can't often see what would sell like hot cakes to your audience... that's where I come in. I can see within seconds of your offer what to pull out that would sell like wild fire. From there to add an order bump, upsell, downsell, to add more $$$ to your offers... Hello stacking cash You don't have to create anything new. No need to have exhausting live launches. No need for a new group program every 8 weeks. Let's use what you have, stack these offers to increase $$$ and have dream clients flowing in and out of everything, then DMing you saying how can I work with you 1:1... if you want 😉 I'm obsessed with using the Frequency of Celebration and for this holiday I want you to tap into this frequency and collect that cashhhh In celebration of the holidays and giving back, I'm giving you my number one training that has my clients creating $50k cash weeks, without adding more calls or 1:1 clients. Get access to the Frequency of Celebration to Collect Cash for only $22 Link in the comments

Thanksgiving always leaves me thoughtful and grateful about where my life has been, where it is, and where it is going. I turn 65 next week and find that I am incredibly fortunate for the family, clients, and colleagues that I have in my life. Last night, I took some time reading a number of my old postings. I could not help but come away feeling that there are number of people out there who tend to assume the ill-intent and behavior of others. I see instances where PBMs, other payors and providers,  are accused of fraud and malintent towards patients and customers. I also see accusations towards employers for their supposed ill-will and manipulation of dollars against their employees. When I see these things, I cannot help but try to find grace for people who write these things. In some instances, it is honest misunderstanding and attached emotion around what has occurred. In other instances, it appears to be somewhat of a cottage industry, whereby accusations and inuendo based on limited information is based upon a limited level of understanding or financial gain. I often wonder how well and completely people who author these posts would respond if approached the same questions and tone about themselves and their businesses. As I mentioned earlier- I will be 65 next week. I have been in and around this industry for over 40 years. Anyone who knows me, especially in my younger days, knows well that I love a good fight, and am not beyond starting one. Even now, no one who knows me would utilize the word “mellow.” At the same time, I have learned that asking questions is a more intelligent way than making declarative statements. I’ve also learned that assuming someone else’s intent tells me more about the person doing so than the supposed intent being ascribed. The people we serve deserve better of all of us. We can achieve significant improvements through alignment and accountability, instead of a mentality tied to “gotcha.” Wishing everybody a Happy Thanksgiving- how about if we all try to do better next year?