Midyear Recap & Reset 🤩
🛑 Recap & Reset
Hey LLJR Fam 🫶🏾
Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025 … 181 days?! 😱
Time truly flies when you’re living with purpose, serving with passion, striving to make a positive impact and having FUN! As June comes to a close, and before we welcome July … what a perfect time to take a deep breath 🧘🏾♂️ pause, reflect & reset.
This newsletter isn’t just a check-in … it’s a checkpoint. A moment to:
🏆 Celebrate the wins (big and small) 🪞 Reflect on the lessons 🎯 Recommit to the goals that matter most
Inside this issue, I’m sharing some Highlights 🤩, Lowlights + Hard Truths of Lessons Learned + Lessons Earned 🥊, and Signature Experiences 💫 from the first half of the year - I’ve also got a few intentional questions to help you refocus for the second half.
Be sure to check out our weekly Midweek Midday Motivational Minute Live Broadcasts 🎥 every Wednesday at 12pm noon EST where we reset, recharge & get JOLT!ed⚡️ together every week!
Let’s finish this year strong by showing up Bold, remaining Focused & leading with Contagious Energy 💥
We’re just getting started! 🚀✅
💫 Highlights
✨ Let’s Celebrate the Wins (Big and Small)
✅ Health = Wealth
Grateful that our family stayed healthy and happy. 💖 Nothing beats that foundation.
✅ Taking Care of Business
🎤 Kicked off the year strong with 11 engagements in January, fired up with visions of a BLOWOUT year that sets us up to thrive in 2025. 🚀
✅ Shared the Stage
Had the honor of sharing the stage with John Edwards at NSA Thrive - ALWAYS a privilege to learn and serve alongside Legends, and the true Greats of our industry.
✅ Leadership Transition
Proudly passed the NSA Carolinas President baton to Dr. Sarah Glova. I’m excited to support her and the chapter as we continue to grow our speaker family.
💡Lessons Learned and Earned 🥊
This year reminded me that growth isn’t always linear, which is A-Okay ... enjoy the ride 🎢.
From late March through May, things slowed down dramatically 🐌 Speaking engagements quieted 🤐 Deals delayed 🛑 Momentum paused. It felt like a test - and it was.
The lesson? We don’t control the waves, but we do control how we surf them 🌊🏄🏾♂️ That stretch taught me to lean into faith, patience, and resilience, even when the calendar looks emptier than expected 🤷🏾♂️.
What truly mattered most was the love and support of my family during that season. They were there, reminding me that health, relationships, and faith form the real foundation of success - NOT just business numbers.
These months earned us perspective:
As we head into the second half of 2025, I’m carrying these lessons forward while staying ready to serve, speak, and show up at the highest level for individuals, organizations, and communities ready to grow 🌱.
💖 Signature Experiences
In continued reflection over these past 6 months, it’s been awesome to see the many ‘Signature Experiences’ I’ve had the blessing to be a part of ...
Although too many to name them all, here are the highlights, by month:
January: Kicking off the New Year with Family & Friends (*those friends that I actually consider family 💝). The Long Family got to hang out, and break bread with my former boss/mentor/fabulous friend Marc Winchester and his wife Katherine. This truly set the stage and tone to Thrive in 2025 🚀 (*Bonus Blessing of having Marc & Katherine join us for our Annual Super Bowl party 🏈)
BONUS: Getting to play golf at the legendary Pinehurst #2 w/ great friends Pat Haggerty (thanks Pat!), Stan Phelps and marcus hawkins ⛳
February: Attending ‘Speech on a Beach’ 🏖️ Speaker Development Retreat hosted by my mentor/friend John F. Edwards, CSP in Myrtle Beach (*having my wonderful wife, Maria Long , join me for this experience was even sweet’er 🫶🏾)
March: Honored to serve as Keynote Speaker on the Main Stage of National Speakers Association (NSA) Thrive Winter Workshop Conference in Orlando … truly a dream come true 💭 (*sharing the stage w/ John Edwards was a privilege 😇 … getting to have my beautiful wife alongside for the journey was a beautiful blessing 💖)
April: Long Family Spring Break Road Trip … enjoyed the sights and scenes during pitstop in Atlanta ( Chick-fil-A Restaurants Tour w/ fabulous friend Jen Hoverstad ; visiting Centennial Olympic Park) before making #LifesABeach 🏖️ memories at the Marvelous Miramar Beach, FL ⛱️
BONUS: Getting to serve as Keynote for the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, & Chatham Counties Scholarship Ceremony, honoring our bright, young minds and brilliant high school scholars was awesome (*enjoying the experience alongside my wondrous wife, Maria 😍 ... thanks Holly Fraccaro , George Linney & #CoolHBA Team)
May: Speaking in Singapore 🌎 was awesome, and honored to present my ‘Speaker Sales & Leveraging LinkedIn’ Program to fellow Professional Speaker colleagues from across the World at Asia Professional Speakers Singapore Annual Conference (*notice a theme here as getting to share the experience with my lovely wife was the cherry 🍒 on top! Thanks Eugene Seah & Melvin Tan )
Special Thanks to my Mom for watching the kiddos when we were in Orlando 🐭 and Singapore 🇸🇬 creating memories that will last forever
BONUS: Served as Commencement Speaker at my first Graduation Ceremony 🎓
CONGRATS & thanks to Antwaun Arnold , Joanna Gates , Ashley Stallings Simpson and the great staff and graduating students of AMIkids Infinity Wake County for allowing me to serve and speak an encouraging word during your graduation celebration … so truly humbled and honored 💙
DOUBLE-BONUS: My daughter, Lucia, graduating from 5th Grade ✨ (*she also received the 'Writing Wizard' Award), and progressing to Middle School ... her curiosity, kindness and enthusiasm for life remind of life's wonder and possibilities 👏🏾 My son, Trey Long (Larry III) thriving in his first year of high school ... demonstrating the power of hard work, determination and dedication 🏫
My family is ‘My Why’. They ground me, energize me, and also remind me that everything I do circles back to creating a life that aligns with faith, love & purpose❣️
June (busy-Busy-BUSY!): Chicago, IL 🛫 Minneapolis, MN 🛬 McCall, ID 🛫 St Louis, MO 🛬
Blessed to be Booked'n'Busy:
📈 Sales Training for the BlackDoctor.org Sales Team in Chicago (+ a round of golf ⛳, White Sox game ⚾ & Giordano's Pizza 🍕)
🎙️ Emcee for National Speakers Association-Minnesota Chapter (NSA-MN) Annual Gala & Awards Night in Minneapolis (+ 2 rounds of golf w/ speaker friend James Robilotta, CSP® and new NSA-MN President • Jasmine Brett Stringer ⛳)
🎤 Keynote Speaker for the IDAHO FUNERAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION (IFSA) Annual Convention in McCall (+ joined their golf tournament ⛳ ... thankful it did not snow this year ❄️ + enjoyed meeting with colleagues in Boise - thanks Kara Barnes 🎤⚙️ & Alexis Rivera Scott ! 🙌🏾)
🎤 Breakout Session Speaker at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress (WEC) in St. Louis (+ concert performances by Digital Underground & Nelly 🎶, coffee catchup meetings w/ NSA Speaker Colleagues & Legends Jason Dorsey & •Shep Hyken ☕🗣️, batting practice in St. Louis Cardinals batting cages ⚾, tour to the top of The Gateway Arch 🤩, golf w/ Lewis Sheats friend from NC State University ... now at St. Louis University ⛳)
BONUS: 🎙️Served as Emcee for the 9th Annual Day of Giving hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Sigma Tau Omega Chapter in partnership with the IVY COMMUNITY SERVICE FOUNDATION OF CARY INC 💚🩷
DOUBLE-BONUS: 🔦Passed the torch as President of NSA Carolinas (NSA) Carolinas to Dr. Sarah Glova during the Annual Awards Ceremony & Program - our chapter is in GREAT hands with Sarah's Presidency & new Board ... was spectacular honoring Amazing Awards Recipients and having Keynote Speakers Lindsay Wrege & • Frank Kitchen - Certified Speaking Professional, CSP® share great insights 💡
🌈 Looking forward to an even more AWESOME 2nd half of the year, as we continue to Thrive in 2025 and help others to do the same. May your year be filled with Signature Experiences and lifelong memories 🌟
🏁 2nd Half Goals/Vision
As we cross the halfway mark, it’s time to pause, reflect, and recommit to the goals that matter most.
Health Health is the ultimate wealth, and it remains a top priority. This second half, I’m recommitting to moving daily, eating well, staying hydrated, getting quality rest, and protecting my mental and spiritual health so I can show up with full energy for my family and those I serve.
Business We started 2025 strong, and although hit a bumpy stretch, we’re not letting up. My vision for the second half is to expand the impact of our speaking, coaching, and training, helping individuals, teams, and organizations level up while staying aligned with purpose. We’re focused on:
Recommit to Goals This isn’t just about big goals; it’s about small, daily choices that add up. Showing up consistently, serving fully, and living intentionally.
The mission for the rest of 2025 is clear: Live healthy. Serve boldly. Lead with love.
Let’s make this second half count!
❓⁉️ Questions For You
I’m here to help you truly 'Thrive in (the rest of) 2025', and that starts with clarity.
Here are a few questions to consider as you reset, refocus, and recharge:
VISION: What, specifically, do you want in the 2nd half of 2025? (Not just vague hopes - encouraging you to write down exactly what “winning” looks like for you.)
TEAMWORK = DREAMWORK: Who do you need on your team? (Who will challenge + support you, and hold you accountable?)
DAILY DISCIPLINE: What steps will you take daily to seize that vision? (Small, consistent actions beat occasional big moves, each & every time!)
SACRIFICE: What will you sacrifice to make room for what matters most? (Old habits, distractions, excuses - what needs to go so you can make room to grow?)
🤫 Take a few quiet moments to reflect and jot down your answers.
Your future self - and those you serve, will thank you for it.
If you want to share your vision or need accountability, hit reply. I’d love to support you in making the rest of 2025 your best yet.
🚀 Ready to Take Action? If something sparked for you in today’s newsletter, don’t just let it pass by. Pick one action you can take this week to move closer to your goals - then let me know what it is! I love hearing your wins and walking this journey with you.
🎤 Bringing Energy & Impact to Your Next Event? If you, a friend or colleague are looking for a Keynote Speaker or Emcee to energize, inspire, and equip your team or audience, I’d love to explore how we can make your next event unforgettable. Hit reply or reach out anytime to start the conversation!
💥 Stay intentional. Stay encouraged. Let’s keep making a positive impact together!
🎤 Upcoming Events
👋🏾 See you soon! ...
July 9-11: West Palm Beach, FL, Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE)
July 20-22: Wilmington, NC, North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (NCGFOA)
July 26-29: Scottsdale, Arizona, NSA Influence Conference
July 29: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, NACE (National Association of Catering & Events)
July 31: Remote, NSA (National Speakers Association) Kansas City
Hope to catch up, if I'm in a town by you 🫵🏾!
🎤 Bringing Energy & Impact to Your Next Event?
If you, a friend or colleague are looking for a Keynote Speaker or Emcee to energize, inspire, and equip your team or audience, I’d love to explore how we can make your next event unforgettable. Reach Out at your convenience to start the conversation!
💥 Stay intentional. Stay encouraged. Let’s keep making a positive impact together!
Larry Long Jr | CEO (Chief Energy Officer) | LLJR Enterprises
🎥 Speaker Reel: https://youtu.be/0kGdmwo9Rgg?si=Xjhfs98_4oVDpi6x
Helping Business leaders and Educators build Championship Teams. | Keynote Speaker, Workshops and Coaching | Author
2moThanks for sharing Larry. Ironically, I just wrote a Blog about the 10 questions you should ask and answer as we start the 2nd half of 2025. Thanks for sharing.
Entrepreneur & Educator
2moThat is a year's worth in only half of one! I am glad you had time to hit the links :) - thanks for letting me be part of it!
Certified Speaking Professional™ | Author | Organizational Culture and Leadership Speaker | Improv Comedian
2moBeautiful recap, brother! Proud to be a part of it!
Web Designer | Growth Hacker | Empowering Full-Time Coaches And Consultants To Grow a Profitable Business Without Paid Ads.
2moLove this format, such a thoughtful and balanced way to reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. The mix of highlights, lowlights, and lessons earned really resonated it’s such an honest and growth-focused approach. Looking forward to digging into the intentional questions for H2.
Development Consultant || Entrepreneurship Coach || Management Advisory || Programs Planning & Management || Sales, Customer Service & Marketing Expert || Leadership Coach || Vice President & Board Memb || Tennis Addict
2moAnd the mic got dropped! Larry Long Jr 🎤, you keep impacting! Don't leave that mic. Susie Mathieson, did your path not crossed his in H1? 😀. Proud of you always man. Keep up the fire burninggggg.