Behind the Bluff
Uncover best practices to participate in life on your terms. Every week, hosts Jeff Ford and Kendra Till guide listeners with short conversations on trending wellness topics and share interviews with passionate wellness professionals, our private club leaders, and additional subject matter experts offering valuable tips. Each episode conclusion includes Healthy Momentum, five minutes of inspiration to help you reflect and live differently. Subscribe now and discover the keys to living your greatest active lifestyle.
Behind the Bluff
Exploring Nature and Wildlife Wonders | Cassie Critchlow
Curious about the enchanting world of sea turtles and the magic of the Lowcountry? Join us as naturalist Cassie Critchlow takes us on a journey through the vibrant ecosystems of Montage Palmetto Bluff. Cassie's lifelong passion for marine life began with dreams of working with fish, leading her to transformative experiences at the Georgia Aquarium and Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. Through her vivid storytelling, you'll gain insights into the mesmerizing nesting season of sea turtles and the vital conservation efforts to protect these incredible creatures.
Explore the unique blend of nature and wildlife at Palmetto Bluff, where deer education and sustainability initiatives are at the forefront. Cassie shares her expertise on managing the deer population and highlights the significance of iconic species like alligators and Spanish moss. Listeners are invited to appreciate the delicate balance between development and nature, learning how Palmetto Bluff honors its rich history while embracing growth. With stories of alligator sightings and immersive nature programs, this episode paints a picture of a stunning natural paradise.
Discover the powerful connection between wellness and nature as Cassie reveals her love for running and the simple joys it brings. Emphasizing the importance of knowledge in conservation, she encourages us to engage with our surroundings and pursue our aspirations with mindfulness. This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to plan effectively, overcome procrastination, and make the coming year one of fulfillment and progress, inspired by the wonders of the natural world.
Are you ready to live an active lifestyle? Welcome to Behind the Bluff, where we believe every moment of your life is an opportunity to pursue wellness on your terms. I'm your host, jeff Ford, and I'm joined today with Cassie Critchlow, montage Palmetto Bluffs. Naturalist, cassie oversees all environmental and historical programming for Montage Resort guests, and she specializes in educating guests on local flora and fauna, as well as sustainability, through guided tours and many special events. Prior to joining Montage Palmetto Bluff in April 2022, cassie spent seven years as an environmental coordinator and senior lifeguard trainer at the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort. Today, we're going to discuss Cassie's unique experiences and insights into our property's rich ecosystems. Cassie, welcome to Behind the Bluff.
Speaker 2:Thanks, Jeff.
Speaker 1:I am stoked to have you here and before we talk about the incredible nature world here at the Bluff, I want to understand why you wanted to become a naturalist and dig a bit more into your background. So let's start simply here. What inspired your first passion for nature and wilderness?
Speaker 2:So I have been into nature ever since I was five I think I was just born with it. And when I was five I said I want to work with the fish, want to work with the fish. Little did I know. That's called a marine biologist. And I just kept going and my parents just backed me up and supported me and let me go to camps. We would go to Florida so I could go to marine biology camp and wound up getting a degree. And here I am.
Speaker 1:Wow, it's rare that you hear someone deciding at five years old what they want to be. Now it began with fish. Did you own fish? How like? What types of the fish did you enjoy?
Speaker 2:I loved all fish. We did have a fish tank, um, so I had a large variety of fish. Um always wanted saltwater aquarium. Haven't gone there yet, but I will cause. Saltwater is really my love, um, but freshwater aquarium and sea turtles. Sea turtles are a big thing for me. It's my favorite animal.
Speaker 1:Now in the low country sea turtles are a big thing. Between here, savannah. What's the sea turtle scene like? Could you share?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so our turtle season runs through May through October. When it comes to our sea turtles and nesting, they nest on our beaches. So you're not going to see it necessarily here in Palmeiro Bluff, but Hilton Head, our 13 mile stretch of beach, is where they're going to come up and lay their eggs and they're going to hatch and go back out to the ocean.
Speaker 1:And there's a lot of prevention right now to keep the beaches sea turtle friendly. Do I understand that right?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's correct. The simplest thing is to pick up your trash. But as far as telling people, hey, lights out after 10 pm just to make sure that those turtles are going back to the ocean and not towards a road or the dunes or anything like that, yeah, yeah, the lights are a big thing yeah.
Speaker 1:Cool. So I understand that early in your career you did an internship at the Georgia Aquarium and I did not know this before we got on air. Today it's in Atlanta and it's the largest aquarium in the U S. Yes, wow, what was that like?
Speaker 2:to start your naturalist career there. So it was really cool. They have all sorts of different exhibits and there are sea turtles there, Um, but um, I a lot of the things that I did was hand out guides and kind of tell people where different things were. In short, information, um, nothing too-depth, that was more of the professionals who were there and had already gone to school and had training. But getting to go through the aquarium and walk around and just kind of see the excitement on other people's faces that I get and that never left for me. So I got to relive it over and over again, not only through myself but through other people, and then got to scuba dive in their big tank there, which was actually really cool, yeah, and so I recently took a trip to Florida and I went to SeaWorld for the first time.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:With my almost five year old at the time. She'll be five in a couple of weeks and I cannot tell you. I think I want to be a marine biologist too. After watching the different exhibits that they have there, it's remarkable what the trainers could do with those animals.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's really cool and they are so smart and we just sometimes don't realize that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, is the proper term. Killer whale Is that the right term?
Speaker 2:Yeah, you could say killer whale or orca, yeah.
Speaker 1:What's nuts is. They have trained them to the point where they can jump out of the tank and slide up and they're right there. And then all the flips and stuff. Like I was absolutely blown away. I'd seen nothing like it. Yeah, it's wicked cool. Yeah, well, great to hear that you you have started more on the aqua side of things. As I understand it, you were at Disney for seven years and you actually were also part of the lifeguard staff. How did that role kind of go hand in hand with your love for wilderness and the wild and animals?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I actually started at the Disney Resort as a part-time lifeguard, just as a summer job, and then, about a month before I was going to graduate, their full-time naturalist position opened up. So I just kind of slid into that role and I was very passionate about lifeguarding and keeping people safe and, um, I became their senior lifeguard instructor and did that for the next six years, while also being their man or their naturalist dual role dual role.
Speaker 1:That's really cool. Now, lifeguard training uh, that's, that's not easy, right, Like we've, we've got to put people through the paces. Um, what was that like? Leading a team of lifeguards at a in a resort setting?
Speaker 2:Um, it's really cool, it is intense. Um cause you have to know that you're teaching these people to be out there to save people's lives. Um, like, there are people's children who are in your hands and just making sure that you're vigilant and that you can do everything that you can, that if you have to do something, you're doing it to the best of your ability.
Speaker 1:How many lifeguards did you have on staff?
Speaker 2:On staff. We had about 20.
Speaker 1:Okay, very cool. I used to work at a water park when I was growing up. It was so cool.
Speaker 2:They throw a dummy down the slides and they would test you, would you?
Speaker 1:do things like that too.
Speaker 2:We did. It's called a silhouette it's the outline of a person laying at the bottom and we'd have to sneak into the pool and lay it down and they had a certain amount of time to recognize it and whistle in a certain amount of time to retrieve.
Speaker 1:Retrieve that so and you sound like a very systems oriented person and I always thrive off hearing about folks professionalism when it comes to safety, so I appreciate you sharing a bit more on that. Fun fact about your time at Disney is Disney Resort on Hilton Head Island. There's a golden retriever mascot named Shadow that you integrated into the programming. Can you share more about that?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so Shadow was the resort's mascot. She is a golden retriever and she was just there for people to visit really. And then I started taking her along with me on my nature tours and just kind of using her to teach kids on look shadows, picking up trash, and kind of just using her to get to people to really hone in on nature and how you can help um be more sustainable and things like that. Cause, who doesn't love a golden retriever?
Speaker 1:100%. Yeah, like I'm not a huge nature guy, but the fact that you're bringing a dog along the tour, um, definitely makes it for me. I'd be more apt to attend. Um, well, that that's super fun. Let's go ahead and dig more into your role. Uh, here at Palmetto bluff, what is the naturalist of montage Palmetto bluff do on a day-to-day basis? Naturalists of Montage Palmetto Bluff do on a day-to-day basis.
Speaker 2:So I do a lot of different programming. I do nature walks. I also offer a Duffy Eco Tour where we go on the inland waterway and we really dive deep into the gators and into history with that one, which is actually my favorite tour that I do. And then during the holidays I do specialty programming. So coming up, we're going to talk about deer, because it's Christmas and that's closest thing to a reindeer that we have on property. And then I'll do some sustainability talks in the new year on some sustainability resolutions.
Speaker 1:So it just kind of depends. And so you're here to support the resort guest experience and to educate, and you're also involved in the sustainability of this property.
Speaker 2:Yes, so I get to handle the guests and then also work with the conservancy, sometimes as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, tell us more about the deer education that you're going to be putting on.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so we're going to have it's called oh Deer, and so it's going to be put on at the fire pit and we're going to talk all things deer. We are in our deer season right now as well, and just a little bit more about them. People see them on property and I don't know why people are very amazed by the deer.
Speaker 1:So I'm amazed by them, and I see them a lot as well. What's the population like? Um, why do they enjoy living at the bluff?
Speaker 2:I mean, who doesn't enjoy living at the bluff? Um, it's a great place for them to live, Jay and the team. They do an incredible job when it comes to our deer population and herd management. I'm not sure what the status is we're at this year, but I mean we have food plots for them, feeders and all sorts of stuff, so it's a great place for them to live and the people here really care about the nature and having things here that make animals want to be here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that support the ecosystem and maintain their quality of life as much as us as people living here yeah. Yeah, well, I understand you're from New York originally. You were raised in Georgia, though yes, primarily Now. The low country is a very unique environment. Most of our listeners are members or folks who have visited the bluff before. But for those who maybe aren't as familiar with the low cut country, what? What makes this region so special and what makes it so special to you?
Speaker 2:So, growing up in Atlanta, I was landlocked and, as I said, I really liked the fish. Um, so it's for me the marsh is what does it. For me, it is the fact that we have these beautiful marshes that transition into our maritime forest and then you get more into different pines, and it's just the amount of ecosystems that we have in one area. And a lot of people, when they think about going to the coast, they think about the beach, which I also love the beach but the marsh is just so special and beautiful.
Speaker 1:And just being able to get out there and see that every day is what makes it for me. Yeah, I often, over the marshes, here on property, see the sunrises, and sunsets are just as powerful as if you're over by Wilson Marina seeing the sunsets. It is very, very unique compared to other regions. I'm so glad that you're not landlocked anymore. Yes, thank goodness, very unique compared to other regions. I'm so glad that you're not landlocked anymore.
Speaker 1:Yes, thank goodness, I'm with you. I like to be around water. Besides deer, what are some iconic species that the bluff hosts here?
Speaker 2:Everyone loves the gators. If I get two questions, it's always about gators and the Spanish moss.
Speaker 1:Those are the two big things that everyone wants to know about. This is when you're on your tours.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's the one thing, even with our associates who work on property and people who live in this area. People are fascinated and terrified about gators and people want to know about the Spanish moss and if it's a part of the tree, if it's not, if there's bugs in it. So those are my two big things that everyone always like, hones in on and wants to know about.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like hones in on and wants to know about. Yeah, I can see those two things being popular topics. Let's, let's take a pause there.
Speaker 2:What? What's important to know about alligators on property here? That they live here, they're always here and we're not going to get rid of them. This is their home, and just really knowing to respect them from a distance. You can observe them they're wicked cool but just knowing to not get close to them, to not feed them. You can observe them they're wicked cool but just knowing to not get close to them, to not feed them. There are plenty of ways to prevent accidents from happening, and just being aware of your surroundings and paying more attention to the nature and where the gators might be than than your phone.
Speaker 1:Well said, yeah. Now how Spanish mosh? What is its role? I don't know anything about this iconic. It's not even a species, but I'll let you classify it. Why is that so prevalent here on property, and what does it do?
Speaker 2:We have a lot of it. It's not Spanish and it's not moss, so very well named. It is an air plant, so it does get everything it needs from the air, so it likes high humidity, it likes this low country area, um, it is native here to the United States. Um, it's not a part of the tree and you can touch it if it's hanging from the tree. Um, don't be scared to touch it if it's hanging. Um, but it is an air plant, so capturing everything from the air.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so it's not like built into these trees, it's just getting all its nutrition from the air.
Speaker 2:Yep, and it just hangs on the tree Um, so you can find it on a wide variety of trees. You'll see it a lot on our live Oaks, cause they have those nice drew B branches, but you can see it on other trees like magnolias um, red Cedar trees, really wherever the wind can carry it Um, and it can regrow. It's going to be on that tree, regrow, it's going to be on that tree man.
Speaker 1:Well, that's a good quick look at Spanish moss. Probably could deserve a whole episode on it. I'm sure there's some intricacies Now. We talked earlier about your work with the conservancy to protect this land. What does that look like on an annual basis for you?
Speaker 2:So for me, I work with the conservancy typically about one day a week. What I do kind of varies based off of what they need. This past summer I got to do bluebird research for them and their sound surveys, which was really interesting. I got to go to the bluebird boxes and stand with a reader and it would tell me the decibel level. So I would do that every 30 seconds for three minutes and it's helping us see if the birds are nesting more where there's less human activity or if the human activity doesn't matter and they're just going to nest in the box anyway. So that's been pretty interesting.
Speaker 1:Um, is it fair to say the higher the decibels that you record, the more bluebirds have been to those boxes?
Speaker 2:So what I thought was really interesting is you could have a lawnmower going off um in one of the residential parts of palmetto bluff, or you could be in the middle of the woods where the birds are chatting, and they're also really loud, yeah, and they could be the same decibel um. You just have a lawnmower and birds chatting um, and so far it seemed that they're going to nest in the box, regardless um of the noise. Wow, but I just found it interesting that they're going to nest in the box regardless um of the noise, wow.
Speaker 1:But I just found it interesting that birds are just as loud as a lawnmower. That's a fun fact for sure. Now, besides the bluebird efforts and um keeping track of them across property, what other initiatives have you been a part of?
Speaker 2:The big thing that I am working on right now is with our archeologist on property.
Speaker 1:Katie Epps.
Speaker 2:Katie Epps Cool. Working on right now is with our archaeologist on property, katie epps katie epps, cool. Yep, so I've been working with her um for a good bit. Um, I am currently doing a master naturalist course, so I haven't um, I've kind of taken a step away and I'll be back in a couple months to help her. But I've been working a lot with our artifacts and making sure that they're getting ready for curation so we can go and store them. She's's been writing reports for them. So whatever assistance she needs and support is what I've been helping with- that's really fun.
Speaker 1:Yeah, now you are referring to artifacts that are newly found, or existing artifacts that we've had for a while, that we're just recording at deeper levels.
Speaker 2:Existing artifacts. All of Palm Ale Bluff has already been excavated, so we won't be digging anymore into the ground looking for artifacts. That is complete um. So right now it's just taking all those artifacts that have been found and making sure that they're properly bagged, labeled, cataloged, because what we're doing is they're getting ready for curation and they're going to go off to a facility for future research. So if you want to do research on something specific in the low country when it comes to artifacts, you can go to this facility and pull artifacts and use artifacts that we've found in the area Right from Palmetto Bluff.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that must be a lot of fun to be a part of.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's really cool To know that you've found these super old items, you've recorded them and you've brought them to the masses to explore further yeah Cool, to explore further, yeah Cool. Well, I think what's interesting about Palmetto Bluff and your role is there's a lot of different avenues, a lot of different directions that you seem to be going on a daily basis as well. I'm interested in, like the most unique or fascinating, surprising thing that you've discovered since being here over the years at Palmetto Buff.
Speaker 2:I think for me. I am a big nature history person and just seeing how the history has grown with the nature here and how we still encompass the two, even though we're developing, is the most fascinating thing for me. Because it's really hard. You go to a place where people really care about development and that's all that they see, or they really care about conservation, that's all that they see. But to be in a place where they are taking nature and history and development and they're wrapping it all into one and trying to honor all sides of things, that's what's really cool about this property.
Speaker 1:Yeah, even though we have so many more houses being built, it does feel like the history and the development are going hand in hand.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, working together.
Speaker 1:That's so cool, yeah, so let's go back to the wildlife a little bit. Have you personally or been on a tour where you've had an encounter that's memorable?
Speaker 2:I have had a couple memorable encounters. One was personally, one was on a tour, one personally on my way into work. I did see a 10 foot gator who was munching on a five foot gator Yikes, so that was a way to start my morning.
Speaker 1:I didn't know alligators were would eat their own kind.
Speaker 2:That happens you know, when you need a girlfriend, do whatever you can.
Speaker 1:Understood.
Speaker 2:Yeah, they're super territorial, especially during mating season, and that was um right around the time. It was back in May.
Speaker 1:So wow, of this past year, of this past year rather recent. So, uh, you said uh, you had another encounter besides alligators, or?
Speaker 2:I did. Um, I mean it has to do with the gator, but we were admiring a deer taking a sip out of the inland waterway and he wasn't standing for much longer after that.
Speaker 1:No way, gator just came out, got the deer. Yeah, bigger gator.
Speaker 2:Bigger, yeah, he was pretty good size.
Speaker 1:Have you ever caught any of these encounters on video? They probably happened too fast.
Speaker 2:No, they happened too fast and I was so amazed I'm pretty sure my jaw was on the ground. Yeah, I was like well, poor deer.
Speaker 1:Whenever I see a hurt deer like it doesn't make me feel good inside. I'm not a. I'm not a hunter.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but you know they got to eat too.
Speaker 1:Yep, yep, I guess we do have that. What's the order in nature of like packing order.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah. Well, I mean, gators are pretty close to the top, so they're good.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you for sharing those memorable moments. I'm sure you have more ahead of you in your role. I'm interested more specifically on resort guests. Now they come here, they choose Montage because of the beautiful surroundings and, I think, the component of being able to do things in nature. So I'm interested what are the main programs and activities that you offer on a weekly basis at the resort?
Speaker 2:So my two big ones is I do a walk and talk. It's about an hour nature walk and it's right there. It starts at the back of the inn, it goes through the cottages, a little piece of Wilson Village and back. Just so I can give something that those guests know when they're walking around property, like hey, I saw this, so I want to do a familiar place to them that they're going to see, that then they can kind of pick up on those things that they've learned. And then I also do our eco tour, which is on the Duffy boat.
Speaker 1:The one you said about the Inland Waterway.
Speaker 2:Yep, the one with the Inland Waterway, and that one gives them a great way to see Palmetto Bluff from the water. So just from a different point of view, and maybe parts of the bluff that they wouldn't get to see if they were walking. And then that one is when we dive deep into history, because everyone wants to know about the history of Palmetto Bluff and what was here, how many homes we have, how many homes we will have. So we kind of go through that whole entire thing and each tour that I do is different information, so you're not going to get the same If you come on my walking tour and you come on my boat tour.
Speaker 2:They're different and they couple well together, just so you can kind of get into the land and then into the water.
Speaker 1:And these tours are every week. You have them on your program schedule. Yes, how long is the Duffy tour last?
Speaker 2:That one's an hour as well.
Speaker 1:Okay, how many people fit on a Duffy boat? They're not huge.
Speaker 2:Um, they're not big. I can fit eight on my Duffy tour, um on my boat, um, and it's comfortable. It's a nice little group.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I bet that one's quite popular I would imagine that one is very popular of the two. Now, do resort guests, uh, pay extra for this? Is this part of their stay? What's that look like if they're going to be booking with y'all in the future?
Speaker 2:So my walk and talk in nature is complimentary, so anyone can come on that tour and just hang out with me for free you just have to listen to me. And then the boat tour does have a cost associated with it, and a portion of our boat proceeds actually goes back to the conservancy. So it's really cool to know that they're also not only learning about the land but there are efforts that are going back towards the land as well.
Speaker 1:Yeah, nice, um, okay. Well, we're getting to the the end of our time here together today. Uh, let's, let's go through some curveball questions here. Hidden gem, species or feature what would it be here at Palmetto Bluff?
Speaker 2:For me it's the resurrection, fern it is resurrection fern?
Speaker 1:Yes, what? What is that?
Speaker 2:It's on the live Oaks, it's this fern. It's really cool. Um, if you're looking at it and it hasn't rained, it kind of looks Brown and crinkly and really no one pays attention to it because it blends in with the bark. But after it rains, if you've ever walked outside and you're like, hmm, things just look a little extra lush and green, that's probably because the resurrection fern resurrected, where it pops open. It's green, it's beautiful, it's on our live oak trees and I think it's just. I think people notice that things are extra green, but don't know what it is.
Speaker 1:So they don't realize that's the fern. Well, I've literally never heard of a resurrection fern. And when you say live Oaks just to put in context of those who may be as um unqualified as I am for evaluating trees Are these the trees that, when I'm driving down the main strip of Palmetto bluff, that's where the resurrection ferns are growing? Is that a lot of the live oaks?
Speaker 2:You're going to see live oaks there in our cottage area here in Moreland. So they have those big, long, droopy branches. It looks great for climbing a tree and sitting on it or, if you see a trainer like that, would be perfect for a swing. Um, most likely a live Oak.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, and it's fair to say live Oaks are probably the most prolific trees we have here, like the, the bounty of trees.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think when people come to low country they expect to see the live Oaks with the Spanish moss.
Speaker 1:So it's You're a naturalist. Obviously, you wouldn't be in this field if you weren't passionate and excited about it. If you could inspire people with one message today about the natural world, what would it be?
Speaker 2:Just go out and learn. I think that's the biggest thing for us is we just need to make ourself aware of what's out there and learn about it and then, once you learn about it, you know how to protect it. But I think knowledge is really key and just go out and be your own naturalist.
Speaker 1:Once you learn about it, you know how to protect it. Yeah, okay. Well, hopefully you've listened to an episode of behind the bluff before. Uh, we, we know that you are actually a runner and you've done a couple of marathons, correct?
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, I'm excited to just first off before I give you the final question, like what got you into running? Why do you enjoy it so much?
Speaker 2:I picked up running in really in high school and basically never stopped. I actually ran for the local university here and my goal was to do a marathon, and now I've completed two, and they're just fun. Most people don't love running, but once you get into it, you kind of find that, that euphoria, that zone.
Speaker 1:Now do you like the training that's involved when it uh is for a marathon.
Speaker 2:Not as much. I mean, if you say, cassie, you can just go out and run a marathon tomorrow with no training, even though I know it's going to hurt, I'd probably do it. That's how passionate you are about getting out there and finishing. Yeah, it's just fun to go out there, anyone can be a runner, you just need a pair of shoes.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, I, I definitely agree. And, um, I'm as like-minded with you when it comes to running, I would you know, even if I'm not trained, I'm, I'm excited to be out there too. Um so, cassie, what does wellness mean to you?
Speaker 2:For me, wellness means giving your mind, body and spirit whatever it needs in that moment. Um, every day is different. Some days you need to push yourself and some days you need to take a break and rest, but really just listening to your body and giving it what it needs, because you know best what your body needs, you know best what your body needs.
Speaker 1:You know best what your body needs.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Wow Well, Cassie, I've enjoyed our time here.
Speaker 1:Congratulations on your new journey as Cassie Critchlow as well, and we look forward to continuing these conversations with the team at Montage. It's always a pleasure having y'all come in here and share everything you have going on there and listeners, you can hang out with me for a few more minutes and get your healthy momentum for the rest of your week. Have you ever thought about something so much that you question whether or not you will ever end up actually doing it? I try to remind myself that thinking about what I want and actually doing it are two separate things, whether it's something we want to eventually achieve or a life transition we want to make. It's all going to require a detailed plan, it's going to require carving out the time and it's definitely going to require that we take action. Yesterday, just like every year, I did my annual reflection and I used a formula that we'll soon talk about in some of our next episodes, and this formula helps me to not only look at the routines that were established in my life for that year, but also allows me to tweak the routines and to set new goals in each of the different life domains that I pursue.
Speaker 1:I don't know if everyone even knows their life domains, and that's why we have to have structure to making progress. We have to have a detailed plan so that we can take action, and so oftentimes we fail to even make a plan in the first place. We have this list up in our brain and when we reflect on it year after year, we're constantly surprised of what we didn't accomplish. Now, this doesn't mean we should beat ourselves up. It doesn't mean that we should be upset, but what it does mean is that we've got to do something different. We've got to ask ourselves how long is our list and what's getting in the way of my ability to focus on this list. So, for me, during my review, it typically fires me up for the next year. This plan, these principles, this process isn't a demotivating process. It's one that excites you for the future. It's one that allows you to make next year better and to make it a year where not only for me, but as you work these steps you will connect deeper to your vision, your values and the people in your life.
Speaker 1:You see, I think we are all guilty of saying to ourselves I'll get to it soon. Have you ever said that? And at the essence of I'll get to it soon is procrastination. And procrastination, folks, is real. We wait when we should cross the road. I want to ask you this week what are you waiting for? And if you stop waiting and you step out onto the road, how will your life be different next year? The message is simple Stop waiting, go. Thank you for taking the time to listen to Behind the Bluff this week. This brings us to the end of our episode. We're looking forward to kicking off new episodes in 2025. And if there's certain topics that you want us to cover, or even guests that you suggest we bring on to Behind the Bluff, we'd love to hear from you in the comment section of wherever you're listening from. Until next week, remember to actively participate in life on your terms. Thanks, everyone.
