Gary L Barker

We live in a fast paced world and many have bought into the lie that moving faster is better. Some wear busyness as a badge of honor.

My mentor John Maxwell, reminds me to walk slowly through the room.

Are you more focused on where you are going or being present where you are?

Sometimes going further and farther is less to do with how fast you move, and more about the intentionality that you move with. Slow down and make the most of every opportunity.

Some of life’s biggest joys are experienced on the journey and not always at the destination.

Enjoy today. For someone, today will be the last day they are gifted to enjoy. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to enjoy today, chasing tomorrow.

The only easy day was yesterday. What hard thing are you embracing today?

Merry Christmas to all and a prosperous New Year!

Secure your spot TODAY!

Influential Selling Workshop Columbia, SC Join us on November 3rd, 2025 in Columbia, SC at The Factory 10 for our 2-hour Influential Selling™ Workshop.Purchase Tickets - https://garylbarker.com/produ...

The Influential Selling™ Workshop is coming to Columbia, SC, on Monday, November 3rd.

Get your tickets NOW:

Influential Selling Workshop Columbia SC Join us on Monday, November 3rd, from 6 PM - 8 PM for our Influential Selling™ Workshop hosted and sponsored by The Factory 10. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to finish strong in 2025 and set a clear path for success in 2026. Every attendee will recei...

“Everything worth having is uphill”

Last Friday I flew to York, PA to spend time with a new client. One of the processes that “worked” was also labor intensive, not efficient, and definitely not scalable.

Being open minded and tenacious, produced a text message sharing the win with me as I was leaving for lunch.

They stayed the course, embraced hard, and within one week improved the process. This will save probably save their team 300 hours or more over a year (excluding growth) which is a big win!

✅ Saving thousands of dollars.

✅ Increased capacity for the team.

✅ Positive impact on morale.

✅ Efficiency improves both team and customer experiences.

What systems and processes are costing you money, eroding team morale, and putting a lid on your capacity to grow?

Let's talk if you're ready to grow.

Growth is optional! Tired of being stuck, not sure where to begin, and convinced there is more in you, but it isn't showing up? DM “GROW” if you're ready to invest in your personal growth and grow beyond your limitations.

"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world but has not solved one yet." - Maya Angelou

Middle Road people strive for fairness. They are willing to give something up if they can get something in return. It seems reasonable, but consider this, "an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."

The Low Road people think only of themselves. They think the world owes them something and often see themselves as victims. They take from others to "settle the score," yet, in doing so, they make the world less fair. By definition, they create what they claim to be so angry about in the first place. This will NEVER work.

The High Road people always lead with an others-first mindset. They give first, without worrying about receiving anything back. They value everyone (including those they do not prefer or agree with). High Road people are not better than anyone else, but they have shifted mindsets.

Which road are you traveling on? Knocking down someone else's position, political preference, or viewpoint doesn't make you right or the winner. It makes you a low-road bully! If you elevate your preference or ideas by demonizing the other person, you are a part of the problem.

How do you know if you are a high-road leader?

When your instincts tell you to fight, you extend a hand of friendship instead.
When others build walls, you look for a gate.
When it seems you have nothing in common, you keep looking until you find anything because connecting with someone is more important than criticizing them.

My mentor, John Maxwell, reminds me that I am the hardest person in the room to lead. He is correct, but why is he right?

Embracing our areas for improvement and understanding that our strengths can sometimes create blind spots is the first step toward transformative leadership. Leadership is about influence, and our influence can only be maximized when we do the right things and avoid the wrong ones.

Take a look over your leadership shoulder? Are others following you, or are you merely taking a walk?

If you have what it takes...
You can lead yourself well and stop being stuck.
You can lead your family well and enjoy those relationships.
You can lead your business well, watch your team accomplish more, and stop hating your business. It's true.
You can lead your community and prepare the next generation for success.

What does it take?
It starts with a decision. Make a decision to stop accepting mediocrity, to get uncomfortable, and to do something different.

Type "LEAD ME" below, and I will send you information about my leadership mastermind. I will invest in everyone who is ready and willing to invest in themselves. If you are not serious about your leadership growth, it's okay. This probably is for someone else.

Let's get you growing in Q4 and equip you to win in ways you have given up on in 2025. I am for you, are you?

Admittedly, I do not watch much sports anymore, but I have tried to follow Caitlin Clark. While I do not consider her an underdog athletically, her game speaks for itself; I have watched her persevere through obstacle after obstacle. The line of haters wasn't a short one. At times, even the WNBA needed more leadership in addressing what was evident to many who follow the sport more closely than I do. But Caitlin's resilience and ability to rise above the challenges truly sets her apart.

I want to speak life to you. This is what I hope for all women, especially Austyn (coming from the heart of a bonus dad.) I get to be a bonus dad to her, and I have watched her fight her own battles. She is a champion. She is an amazing woman, mom, daughter, sister, and leader, destined for greatness. She may not play basketball, but she is winning the most crucial game any woman could play, the game of life. Caitlin Clark, Austyn, and so many women are playing to win. Celebrate the women in your life, especially the young women. Fight for them, cheer them, and take care of them. They will change the world!

As a young woman, Caitlin Clark is an example of character, courage, and tenacity for you. She had "reasons" to give up. She had others against her. She was overlooked by some and outcast by others. She was told she wasn't good enough. She was told she wasn't worth it.

You will face opposition.
You will face obstacles.
You can be an overcomer!
Climbing the mountain will take a lot of work. You will never achieve mountain-top living with downhill habits.
Success doesn't happen one day...it happens one day at a time.

Here is what Caitlin Clark did in the face of opposition. What opposition is facing you? What will you do to rise above it and become who you were created to be.

YOUR 2024 WNBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 🏆

Caitlin Clark redefined what it means to be a rookie, conquering WNBA milestones and setting new standards in just Year 1

➡️ Recorded the most assists in a single season
➡️ Led the Indiana Fever to their first 20-win szn since 2015
➡️ First rookie to record a triple-double
➡️ First player in WNBA history to lead the league in assists and 3PM per game

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