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Need some gift ideas for the holidays? Rob & Lee share some of their favorites devices that are sure to bring some holiday cheer! Check out our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide and check out some of the recommended products! You'll see recommendations of devices from Wyze, Notion, SimpliSafe, and more! You may even find some promo codes to help you spread more holiday joy. Check it out!

The world is full of books I have not had an opportunity to read or have even heard of. But you must start somewhere. By Lee Boyd I set goals. I don’t always achieve the results I am looking for, but I always set goals. New Year’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a day to look back on a year to see what I’ve accomplished; and it's a day to look forward, seeing what lies ahead in the new year. One of the goals I set for myself for 2020 was to read 50 books. Yes, 50 books. As I have mentioned in my previous post, reading for pleasure is somewhat of a new concept to me. In the past, picking up a book and read it was no problem, but the time between books would vary greatly. I’ve enjoyed reading so much this year. I’ve even found myself flying through some of the best books out there. I have traveled around the world, learning about different countries and cultures. I have learned how the brain works and the importance of sleep. I have taken a step back in history and learned how civilizations spread thought the world in ancient times. I have read books to promote a healthy marriage and a healthy parenting style. I have read classics like “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “1984,” and “Catcher In The Rye.” I have read novels that will teleport you to a different time and teach out about past cultures and histories. I read books written by presidents, philosophers, holocaust survivors, religious leaders, journalists, radicals, athletes, and Nobel prize winners, CEOs, and Navy Seals. Through this journey through literature, I’ve hit my goal of reading 50 books. I am ahead of schedule, which is very exciting! Who knows how many I’ll have read at the end of the year! I often tell my friends that I get overwhelmed with the world of reading. The world is full of books I have not had an opportunity to read or have even heard of. But you must start somewhere. And having read 50 books is not a bad start. The world of reading offers such deep learning and potential. I’d recommend this journey to anyone who wants to awaken their mind to an undiscovered world of knowledge. Below is a list of books I recommend from my first 50 books of 2020 (including some I have reviewed in previous posts): Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by  Jared Diamond The Nightingale by  Kristin Hannah Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy Outliers: The Story of Success by  Malcolm Gladwell Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by  Matthew Walker Thinking, Fast and Slow by  Daniel Kahneman Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by  Hans Rosling The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy J. Keller Educated by Tara Westover Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio Lee Boyd co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up-to-date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry. Lee is also the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting.

Written by Lee Boyd Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker, PhD., resides in my Top 5 Best Books I’ve read this year, if not, ever. This book opens your mind to the powers of sleep and the consequences of lack of sleep. You’ll learn how sleep, memories, and dreams work, and you’ll also learn how sleep can be affected by the choices you make. Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker, PhD., resides in my Top 5 Best Books I’ve read this year, if not, ever. This book could have taken a different approach on how it explains sleep: boring and full of facts that would put anyone to bed. Instead, Matthew’s approach was anything but boring: He paints pictures in your mind using real world studies, examples and experiences. The book even shows how our idea of sleep has evolved over time. My biggest takeaway: Kids need sleep and plenty of it! Along with the importance of kids needing more sleep, I learned how memories work and how your brain moves information from your short-term to long-term memories. This is a fascinating process where your knowledge moves from the short-term memories to your long-term memories. I have made adjustments to my wake-up schedule in an effort to make sure I get enough sleep. Studies show that lack of sleep affect your reaction time, overall appearance, mood, attitude, recall of information, and so much more. When you get enough sleep, you can work harder, recall quicker, and have an overall better attitude and mood. My family and I are big fans of Pixar. In my business life, I may even be a bigger fan. This book helped me understood and appreciative the movie Inside Out. The movie takes some of the ideas found in this book and illustrates the findings in a way that only Pixar can do. One thing I’d recommend you take a look at are the footnotes while reading through the book. They hold amazing nuggets of information that allow for further reader research and a better understanding of the ideas and knowledge the book has to offer. This book is filled with so many facts, information, and knowledge, it’d be hard to not share what you’ve learned with those around you. This book is filled with so many facts, information, and knowledge, it’d be hard to not share what you’ve learned with those around you. In fact, my entire family was ready for me to finish this book and return it to the library. I found myself dropping facts right and left: Your head hurts? You need more sleep. You’re grumpy today? How much sleep did you get last night? Hard time focusing on schoolwork? Take a half-hour nap. Do you really want to remember that chapter you just read? You need to take a nap. The brain is a wonderful and amazing creation. I have been able to read several books that discuss the brain and the power that lies within: Principles by Ray Dalio, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and now Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. These books have sparked an interest in me to learn more about the inner workings of our brain and the potential that is locked within. I’ve learned so much with these great reads, and yet, have so much more to learn. #business #books #reading #recommendations Lee Boyd co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry. Lee is also the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting.

“A book that motivates you to become a better person and make better decisions, all while giving you a roadmap to make it happen.” – Lee Boyd Written by Lee Boyd I’ve always been intrigued by habits. What can I do to make good habits, what can I do to stop bad habits? How do I become conscious of things I am doing that are bad (binge eating ice cream, for example), and stop them from becoming habits? The science of making and breaking habits fascinates me. I stumbled upon an interesting book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book walks you through Four Laws of Behavioral Change: · Make It Obvious · Make It Attractive · Make It Easy · Make It Satisfy Atomic Habits guides a person through the basics of habit forming and gives great tips and tricks on making good choices and making good habits. I have already made some changes in my life like moving the fruit to a central part of the kitchen and moving the cookies to the closed-door pantry. The result: I have seen the apples disappear and the cookies go stale. The most interesting thing about this book was not the formula for creating habits, but the discussion on motivation. How to you keep going when the motivation drops, when your improvements slow or the newest wears off and the “sexiness” goes away. On page 233, James discusses how to stay focused when you get bored working on your goals. He asks the questions, “What’s the difference between the best athletes and everyone else? What do very successful people do that most don’t?” He then gives us the answer: “At some point it comes down to who can handle the boredom of training every day, doing the same lifts over and over and over.” We’ve all experienced some form of lack of motivation at one time or another. We've all experienced some form of lack of motivation at one time or another. We all suffer with the same questions, wondering if it’s still worth it. Working on a project can be exciting if it is new and draws positive attention; but being able to complete the task when the motivation has dwindled or disappeared, is when you can really make the big difference. There was one quote from the book that has stuck with me, and one I’d like to leave with you: “Professionals stick to the schedule; amateurs let life get in the way.” #thursdaythoughts #business #books #insurance #reading #recommendations Lee Boyd co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry. Lee is also the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting.

Written by Lee Boyd I have just finished Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. This is a challenging read that opens your eyes to the way you think while processing thoughts, fears, statistics, and much more. This book discusses the two systems of the mind and explains why your reactions to situations may be quick, but may not be based on a foundation of logic. My eyes have been opened to think about situations. I may not have learned to control my actions or thoughts, but I have learned to think about the bigger picture and the situation in which errors in judgment are likely. Slow down, think about the situation and the framework of the issue, then react. #tuesdaythoughts #business #books #insurance #reading #recommendations Lee Boyd is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting. Lee also co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry.

Written by Lee Boyd Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, by Hans Rosling, is a book that was recommended to me over the weekend, and now I would love to recommend this amazing book to everyone out there. Factfulness is a book that will open your eyes and allow you to see what you think you know about the world may not be what the world is really like. Misconceptions are all around us. This is such a timely read with the pandemic in our world. I can not recommend this book enough! If you don't trust me, take a look at Bill Gate's recommendation on Gates Notes: https://www.gatesnotes.com/Books/Factfulness #pandemic #education #thursdaythoughts #readinglist Lee Boyd is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting. Lee also co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry.

For those with extra time in their day, looking for some good reads, I thought I would pass along some recommendations of my latest reads. Written by: Lee Boyd With the uptick in telecommuting and restrictions on extracurricular activities, you might find yourself with some extra time in your day to read. I’ve recently started on my own reading journey, fitting in a business book in the spare moments I’ve found. It turns out, reading is growing more and more on me. Growing up with dyslexia, reading was never “fun”. I always felt behind and could never keep pace with my peers in school. Although I learned to deal with dyslexia through the years, and as reading became easier for me, there was no spark of enjoyment in reading. However, the spark that re-ignited my pursuit to read more came in August of last year (2019). I was sitting in my son’s classroom for a parent-teacher night when I heard his teacher talking about the benefits of reading. As she was showing graphs, charts, and data about how reading in children, even a very small amount of reading, can improve test scores, I thought to myself, “If reading is so good for my children, it should be just as good for me.” You’d think that a simple logical thought like that would have been instilled in me long ago, but it was not until that movement that I decided to invest more of my time in reading. Since that night, I’ve been spending more waking moments with a book. My wife has been a reader for as long as I can remember, and she’s shared amazing stories and “trips” she’s taken from her reads. It didn’t occur to me that I, too, can find enjoyment and insight from what I read. I love the lessons I learn from business books, the stories that I am told through biographies and memoirs, and the adventures I can embark on with a great novel. I’m happy to say: I get it! For those with extra time in their day, looking for some good reads, I thought I would pass along some recommendations of my latest reads. Principles by Ray Dalio: I read this book over the Christmas holidays, and since then, this book has stuck with me. Ray Dalio lays out business and personal principles that he lives by daily. He made me realize that we must know what we believe and why we do what we do before we are put into a position that will test us. A long read, but you will not be disappointed. I go back to this book often when I am faced with situations where I need a little guidance. Highly recommended. Leadership Strategy and Tactics by Jocko Willink: A true tactical guide to leadership though the eyes of a Navy Seal and proven leader. I’ve taken pages and pages of notes while reading this one. A great book that is straight-to-the-point and gives great insight into a variety of leadership situations. Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven: I attended a Super Bowl party this earlier year, and a friend of mine recommended this book. A quick read at only 125 pages, Admiral William H. McRaven dives into his 10 points he made during his commencement address to the graduates of The University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Wonderful life lessons. The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues by Plato: Sometimes I think it’s a great idea to challenge yourself, and that is what I did with Plato. Wow! I recommend going deep sometimes. (Side note: A must-read along with this is Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave”. What you see may not be what is real...) 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush: Kristy, my beautiful and smart wife, bought this book for me. I recently just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a great way to learn so much about what former President George Bush’s roadmap looked like. Trillion Dollar Coach – The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg and Alan Eagle: I learn so much from this book. An interesting glimpse into the mind of Bill Campbell and those working with him. A great book for all business leaders. Inside the Magic Kingdom – Seven Keys to Disney’s Success by Tom Connellan: This is an older book, but a great book, nonetheless. I read this book many years ago when I owned an inflatable game company. A great look inside the operations at  Disney and definitely gives you a great appreciation for the detail and care they put into their theme parks. Lee Boyd is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Fourseventy Claim Management. Lee creates innovative processes to transform the traditional methods of insurance claims adjusting. He focuses on the newest technologies and processes, and combines them with custom workflows to serve the needs of 470’s customers. He also heads up data analytics and reporting. Lee also co-hosts the FNO: InsureTech Podcast, a podcast that interviews leaders from insuretech and insurance to get up to date ideas and perspectives on how technology is disrupting and transforming the industry.