IF YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO THIS WEEK'S PODCAST EPISODE, YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT AT THIS LINK PIT001
Well, I’ve finally launched the podcast
Lessons From the Pit along with my website
www.lifearoundthepit.com. While it is a little overwhelming to know that I’m putting myself out there, I believe the message I will be sharing will speak to the people that need to hear it.
This week’s episode, “PIT001 - Welcome and 10 Life Lessons Snapshot” is the initial, introductory episode of Lessons from the Pit referencing short snippets from each of the 10 lessons that I’ve learned with a quick tip or two on implementing some of them. Each week we will discuss the lessons, barbecue tips and tricks, recipes and more to see how they are relevant to our lives as men.
I’ve been smoking meat and cooking bbq for over 10 years now and I am one of the pitmasters at Wright’s Barbecue in Rogers, AR. I spent 15 years in the corporate finance world and worked part-time at Wright’s for 4 years before moving to full-time as one of their pitmasters. I love everything about it because barbecue (BBQ) is just…well….perfect!
Lessons from the Pit are the lessons I see in BBQ that I use in my own life and that you can implement into your life to help you stay focused, on track with your goals for what matters to you. They will allow you to be the best and healthiest version of yourself so you can make lasting connections and impact in your families, jobs, communities and leadership arenas.
The 10 Life Lessons
- Lesson 1: “The Heat”: This lesson discusses how consistent heat is necessary during the cooking process to pull out the best flavor possible. This corresponds to the need for us as men to have a consistent time with God or alone in meditation, silence or solitude. We need this time to help us grow, reflect and face the day.
- Lesson 2: “The Meat”: If you have cooked bbq long enough, you know that each piece of meat is unique in how it cooks. The same is true of us as men. We are all different. We are all unique.
- Lesson 3: “The Seasoning”: Different seasonings have different effects on varying meat. That is how influence works in our lives. What or who are you letting influence your life and what kind of influence are you on those around you?
- Lesson 4 - “Fire Adjustments”: When it comes to fire adjustments, it does not take much to make a big difference in the heat. Habits act in the same way. Small changes to our habits make a huge difference.
- Lesson 5 - “The Stall”: This one is tough because in bbq and in life it feels like you are doing all the right things and making the right adjustments in the fire or habits and yet you are in a stall. It is the patience and perseverance that pushes things over the hump and moving in the right direction. Don’t give up!
- Lesson 6 - “Hot Spots”: Every cooker has them…hot and hotter spots. If you are going to provide excellent bbq, you have to know how your smoker works. We are going to have highs and lows, ups and downs, hills and valleys, higher stress times if you will. The question is, how will you respond and adjust for those times.
- Lesson 7 - “The REST”: Everyone knows you have to let your meats rest before cutting and serving to your guests. Everyone also knows we all need rest. If you let the meat rest, why don’t you let yourself rest?
- Lesson 8 - “The Details”: One of the things that separates the rockstar pitmasters from the basic pitmasters…is the attention to details. If you want to be a rockstar dad, husband, employee, leader, you name it, then focus on the little details that separate you from the rest of the pack.
- Lesson 9 - “The Plan and Prep”: There is a lot that goes into a good bbq cook. Sometimes things happen you don’t expect. Sometimes everything goes wrong. But that is why you plan ahead. In order to be present in each situation, you have to plan. I’m talking about being organized and strategic with your time and energy.
- Lesson 10 - “Connection”: We want connection and we want to be known and accepted and noticed. Some of the best relationships I have come from time sitting around the BBQ pit or around the table enjoying some good food.
Tip of the Week: Schedule 3 calendar events for this week (and make them recurring for 4 weeks) to have some personal time alone either in prayer or meditation or just in silence. Schedule it and do it. It doesn’t have to be a lot, intricate and detailed, it just needs to be enough to start you moving.
Call-to-Action: Download the free 10 Lessons infograph at
www.lifearoundthepit.com\lessons_wins and sign up for the free newsletter on the website so you can stay connected and up-to-date with what is happening around the pit.
Remember, BBQ is known for being low and slow cooking that produces a fantastic reward. Life as a pitmaster is the same. You have to put in the low and slow efforts to produce the fantastic reward: a legacy of impact! Until next time, season some meat, start a fire and make an impact!
IF YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED TO THIS WEEK'S PODCAST EPISODE, YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT AT THIS LINK PIT001back to blog page