Brian Sytsma

The John Rowland Scholarship 📝

For a bit of background on my grandfather-in-law John, he’s:

1. An esteemed alumni from NC State that LOVES his WOLFPACK NATION 🐺
2. A former athlete for State’s 1968 World Series Baseball team ⚾️
3. Someone I’m PROUD to call FAMILY 🙏

We created this scholarship in his honor to CELEBRATE and SUPPORT the academic success of NC State students and give back to a university that has given us SO much and SO MANY opportunities 🔴 ⚪️

Thank you to Lexi Wirth on helping us assist the future of NC State. Honored to be supporting its growth 💯

Indecision….IS a DECISION…especially FINANCIALLY 💡

Future you….will thank CURRENT you on:

1. Not GUESSING and creating a STRATEGY 📝
2. Making CHESS moves with your money vs. focusing on checkers ♟️
3. Understanding that AI is a HELPFUL tool BUT cannot make decisions for you. You MUST take action yourself! 👌

Cheers to YES’s and NO’s. There’s no more STRESSFUL plan than “thinking about it” while the world PASSES you by 💯

Credit to Jeff Jackman in motivating me to think about how to “stand out” in your personal AND business relationships…here’s 5 ways you can be viewed as DIFFERENT to others 💡

1. Remember kid’s, grandkid’s, and pet’s names: Thoughtfulness comes in the details of referencing past the basic “how are the kids, how are the dogs, etc.” 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 😒🐶🐱
2. Wait at least 3-5 seconds after someone stops speaking to share a response and don’t interrupt: People want to be UNDERSTOOD not responded to 👂
3. Ask 2-3 clarifying questions: Shows curiosity, actual interest in what they are saying, and the ability to give a more IMPACTFUL answer 🗣️
4. Buy into being WEIRD: I started sending “birthday videos” this year which usually consists on my cringe singing…but they are MEMORABLE since NO ONE else does it 🎉
5. Send gifts without asking for permission: Everyone likes a compliment and feeling appreciated. The more tailored the gift to their personality / situation…the better 🎁

Building meaningful relationships takes time, patience, and the willingness to get out of your comfort zone. Start today! The world FAVORS the BOLD…like taking an impromptu trip week of Texas to spend time with your people 💯