Catching Up with Kevin: Reflecting & Looking Ahead (March 2021)

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Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about a variety of topics that have been on my mind lately. This exercise of reflecting on the past and looking toward the future is something I like to do regularly.

If you subscribe to my YouTube channel or follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you likely saw the following video. However, if you haven’t yet seen it, I invite you to watch it.

In it, I share my thoughts on several topics, including…

📌  Takeaways from 2020

Kevin GuestIn reflecting on 2020, I didn’t realize how much I needed to take care of myself. I’ve spent all these years taking care of others and 2020 for me was really a year that I was able to slow down. I was able to focus on myself. I was able to think about things that were causing me stress in my life and trying to manage them more effectively.

📌  A Year of Acceleration

I really see 2020 as a year of acceleration, not disruption. What I mean by that is we were already on the path of being more user-friendly from a technology perspective. When all of a sudden we couldn’t have our in-person meetings, we couldn’t jump on a plane and travel and fly, we were forced to use technology and I’m so grateful that we were well down the path so that we could pivot when we had to.

📌  USANA’s Five-Year Strategy

There are a few things I’m really looking forward to — the launch of some new products we’ve been working on for quite a long time. We’re also working on expanding into a new market. We won’t announce which one it is until we’re ready, but that’s well underway. The thought of expanding USANA’s global footprint is exciting to me in the future.

And then lastly, stay the course. The last several years have been outstanding and we’re going to have, in my opinion, an outstanding future as we continually do what we do best — which is make the best nutritional supplements in the world.

📌  Social Responsibility (and the new Sustainability Committee at the board level)

The whole idea of social responsibility, social governance, sustainability is nothing new to USANA. Our buildings feature solar panels to help us with our carbon footprint. We xeriscape the property at our Home Office in Salt Lake. We’ve implemented recycling programs in other markets where consumers can bring empty supplement bottles in for us to recycle.

The Sustainability Committee on the board is a more formalized approach to many things we’ve already been doing from social governance and social responsibility perspective. We want to make sure USANA is a good global citizen at all levels as it relates to diversity, as it relates to the environment, and as it relates to social responsibility.

📌  How I’m Adapting to the ‘New Normal’

I think part of being around USANA for 30 years and seeing many different changes in the marketplace come and go is you have to be agile. We are a large, global company and so we’re not as agile as I’d like us to be in many areas. But the way I stay grounded and focused is trying to remain agile and trying to do things here at USANA that can help us respond even quicker to changes.

Thank you for following along here, and I appreciate all the kind words and the interaction on my social sites.

Kevin Guest on How Self-Care is Needed During the Pandemic

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Below are some thoughts on the importance of self-care during the pandemic. A version of this article originally appeared as part of an article I wrote for On Point Global News.

Kevin Guest, author, CEO, and musician, performs on stage pre-pandemic. He believes strongly in the importance of self-care, especially during the pandemic.

Kevin Guest, author, CEO, and musician, performs on stage pre-pandemic. He believes strongly in the importance of self-care, especially during the pandemic.

I’m a big believer in learning from past experiences. As I reflect on 2020, I came to the realization that prior to the pandemic I didn’t take care of myself nearly as much as I should have.

Self-care is critical to living a balanced life. But I didn’t do it.

After years spent taking care of others, 2020 became the year that I finally slowed down. I took time to focus on myself. I thought about things that caused me stress and I learned how to manage them more effectively.

Even more, I really dove into my own mental health, which is such a vital part to truly be healthy.

4 Practices for Better Self-Care

In a recent article for On Point Global News, I identified four self-care practices that I believe will greatly boost balance and energy.

1. Step Into Nature

I learned as a kid that spending time in nature rejuvenates a person. We are natural beings, and when we’re surrounded by nature, we feel ourselves uniting with nature. Time spent there will enrich our souls and help bring back balance and harmony.

2. Breathe and Notice

Close your eyes and name out loud the things you hear, whether it’s near or in the distance. As you continue for one minute, breathe in deeply, slowly and naturally. Realize how this simple practice brings you into the current moment. Breathing clears your mind of concerns in the past or future.

3. Slow the Roll

One benefit of adjusting to the pandemic is slowing down our schedules. Slowing down might even allow us to sleep a little longer. Make time for this important self-care practice and allow yourself to sleep fully each night. Set up a regular schedule for sleeping and stick to it.

4. Value Relationships

I say it often (because I believe it’s true!): Nothing is more important than relationships. I challenge you to reach out to others just to see how they’re doing. Listen to them. Ask questions. Show genuine interest in them. I learned that this value not only sets your day in order, but it also attracts team members who are ready to do the same.

When it comes to self-care, working from a place of harmony allows us to benefit all around us.

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals. A version of this article originally appeared on the On Point Global News website.

Stretch Beyond Perceived Limitations to Reach New Heights

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Just a few months ago, we had the blessing to have a new grandson adopted into our family. It’s been interesting for me to watch him grow. He’s now on his stomach and recently he was trying to crawl. There was a dog sitting a few feet away and he so badly wanted to touch that dog. So, on his belly, he started moving a little bit at a time. Finally, he figured out that he could stretch his way to touch the dog.

It’s been interesting to watch him as he struggles. Sometimes he gets getting frustrated because he can’t get the things he knows he wants. But he’s learning how to find a way to scoot on his belly and move to get what he needs, even though it’s really hard.

So many times, for all of us, we see things we want — things we might even need — and they could be really difficult for us to reach.

Sometimes, we have to get outside our normal selves. We have to understand what we’re capable of accomplishing. But it’s oftentimes not easy. It requires effort, it requires energy.

And as I watched this little baby learning how to crawl, it reminded me: It wasn’t easy to learn how to walk. It’s not easy to learn things in life that we take for granted right now.

That’s the way it will be for other things in our lives. We need to make the effort to stretch, to get outside of ourselves. If we can push ourselves beyond our perceived limitations, it will help us learn and accomplish things we never thought we could have learned or accomplished before.

 

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Help The USANA Foundation Reach its Goal

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We are nearing an important deadline. The USANA Foundation, which strives to provide immediate and long-term food relief for those in need, is seeking to raise enough money by Sunday (Feb. 28) to provide 250,000 meals globally.

The initiative began at the start of 2021 and is an ambitious one. Yet, it’s a target we know we must hit.

Already, the campaign’s raised a significant portion of its goal amount. But we’re not there quite yet.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps to provide potentially life-saving food and nutrition to families around the world.

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed to this important cause. If you’ve yet to donate, or if you’re able to donate additional funds, I encourage you to do so.

Click to Donate

An Important Goal

As Chairman and CEO of USANA, I believe strongly in our vision of creating The Healthiest Family on Earth.

The USANA Family stretches globally — far beyond the markets we serve and those who benefit from our nutritional supplements. It includes the individuals and families whose lives have been helped thanks to your donations to The USANA Foundation.

Since 2012, The USANA Foundation has provided more than 57 million meals and over $23 million in aid. We couldn’t do it without your generosity and ongoing support.

“I am so grateful for everything the USANA Family does to make an impact in the lives of families around the world,” says Brian Paul, president of The USANA Foundation. “It’s so awesome to see the generosity. We have a big goal, one that will make a significant difference for families who have been struggling. I know we can reach this goal if we really come together.”

Please join me in supporting The USANA Foundation’s 250,000 Global Meals initiative by making a donation before Feb. 28, 2021. And please share this article with friends, family, and professional colleagues who would like to make a difference.

Note: A version of this article went to email subscribers on Feb. 24, 2021. Are you on the list?

Country Music Star Influences Global CEO

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A country music superstar influences a global CEO to power through pandemic pressures. The relationship offers lessons for everyone during COVID-19. The following is adapted from a news release published on Feb. 2, 2021. 

“After inviting country music superstar Collin Raye to perform at our company’s annual convention, I was invited by Collin himself to perform with his band on tour,” said Kevin Guest, author, musician, and CEO of USANA Health Sciences. “Collin said he saw my passion for music and wanted me to tour with his band part-time. I was astonished, thrilled, and terrified all at once.”

USANA’s full-time chairman and CEO was reminded of three aspects that can help today’s workers through the global pandemic:

  1. Passion
  2. Hard work
  3. Performing

A Passion for Music

“I had a passion for music from an early age,” Guest said. “My dream as a kid was to become a rock star, to play music for adoring fans, maybe even to be heard on the radio. Creating, composing, and performing music was my passion.

On stage at the 13th Annual HealthCorps Gala in New York on April 16, 2019.

Kevin Guest performs with Collin Raye at the 13th Annual HealthCorps Gala in New York on April 16, 2019.

“I daydreamed for hours, imagining myself on stage in front of tens of thousands of screaming admirers who loved my music. That dream was a driving force in my life, so performing with Collin Raye was a dream come true.”

Guest writes in his bestselling book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, that his parents loved music so much his dad bought a piano before buying a car and rode a bike to work with Guest’s mom on the back of the bike on trips to the store.

The indelible lesson on Guest was “when you really want something, make it happen,” which Guests dubs “The Piano Principle” in his book.

“I really wanted to make this happen, so I worked my heart out to be flawless. It was Collin’s career and product I was presenting on stage,” he said. “I spent hours learning the music and honing my skills. Although I love to play music, that was hard work. And I honestly wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew.

“So, instead of relaxing after working a full day at USANA, I learned how to play every one of Collin Raye’s songs.”

Get On Stage & Perform

Guest writes, according to psychology professor Angela Duckworth, extraordinary success is a combination of passion, perseverance, and grit, which she says is far more important to achievement than natural talent and is a better predictor of success than virtually any other quality or measurement.

“The next step is to perform. To get on stage and take your best shot. Whether that be to your boss, your team, or to larger audiences,” Guest said. “That act alone makes the preparation real and helps a person improve. Working with Collin Raye has allowed me to play with and meet some of the finest musicians on the planet in some of the most famous settings in the music world.

“I’ve performed with Collin when we shared the stage with Brooks and Dunn, Keith Urban, Diamond Rio, and many others, even playing at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry more than once, something that would’ve never happened had I not taken these steps.”

Pursue Your Own Passion

With the pandemic influencing work and personal lives for months ahead, Guest recommends:

  1. Pursuing your passion
  2. Working hard to improve your skills
  3. Performing in front of others for accountability

“When you combine those three steps, you’ll find your work not only becomes more enjoyable, but you get better at doing the things you’re passionate about,” he said. “In these times, that may be the best way to find harmony and balance in a less-than-normal daily schedule.”

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony is available on Amazon. All proceeds benefit The USANA Foundation and its mission to feed hungry children. Each book purchase provides 40 meals.

Recognize and Celebrate Successes

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It’s remarkable what a difference a simple thank you can make. That thought came to my mind as I prepared today’s blog post. It’s the latest in our Engagement Series, and it highlights how important it is to recognize and celebrate successes.

Jeannie Price, USANA’s executive vice president of sales

Jeannie Price, USANA’s executive vice president of sales for the Americas, Europe, and Australia-New Zealand, recently gave USANA employees some ideas to help celebrate each other. It’s always an important thing to do, but even more so now that so many of us are working remotely.

“While we cannot control the ongoing progression of the pandemic,” she says, “we can hold fast to our company values of health, excellence, integrity, and community, as we navigate through our new normal.”

Price explains, and I wholeheartedly agree, that building on our values and culture is more important than ever.

“While the road to normalcy is unknown, it is important for people to know what is important here and now,” she says. “Recognizing people for their commitment to challenging circumstances gives employees a sense of what is important.”

6 Ways to Celebrate Employees

Here are six ways Price identified to recognize and celebrate employees in a remote workforce.

1. Celebrate anniversaries and birthdays

While in-person office celebrations have been temporarily suspended, we still have opportunities to create special, memorable experiences. Send an employee lunch, or mail a gift card to his/her home. Taking the time to send a personal note can be extra special. Organize a virtual happy hour and invite the guest of honor’s spouse and/or family to the event. This helps build a stronger connection with the employee and their family and the work team.

2. Recognize small milestone successes

In other words, don’t wait until a big project is completed to offer praise and congratulations. Set milestone markers and recognize an individual’s or a team’s efforts along the way. And then, once the project is finished, be sure to celebrate the achievement.

3. Show appreciation for the right behaviors

Do you have employees who are especially responsive, even when working remotely? Write them a personalized message that details how appreciative you are of their ability to remain attentive from their new home office. This will reinforce the value of communication throughout your remote team and motivate employees to continue building these behaviors.

4. Celebrate small acts of kindness

Paying it forward is such an important part of our culture. And right now, there are ample opportunities to help others. Many employees are doing small acts of kindness every day that we simply are unaware of. Everyone can search out opportunities to highlight these acts of kindness. We can showcase them not only as an opportunity to recognize but more importantly, to inspire others to do similar activities. It helps to foster emotional connections among team members.

5. Allow for peer to peer recognition

Being recognized by a peer can be very rewarding. Do your part to congratulate colleagues on their successes.

6. Tell the story

To maximize recognition, it’s important to tell the story and shout it from the rooftops. Deliver your recognition in a social setting, including special virtual meetings/calls. That way, peers get the opportunity to add on to the praise and make the appreciation even more special.

“Whatever your style of recognition, celebrate achievements,” Price says. “It will go a long way in fostering relationships and keeping us connected.”

To view additional articles in this series, please click here.

Your Time is Valuable: Insights on Time Management

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A new year, for many, means new resolutions (or old ones revisited). For me, time is of the essence. In fact, in a recent video interview, I mentioned that being present is critical to success. Take time to enjoy the beauty of life and count your blessings with an attitude of gratitude.

Be present with a grateful heart and I think we’ll have the best year we’ve ever had.

USANA President Jim Brown

USANA President Jim Brown wrote an article late last year about this notion of time. In it, he offered several insights on time management and creating an optimal work/life balance.

As I’ve done with previous articles in this “engagement series,” I wanted to share some of Jim’s thoughts with you here.

“Working from home is the new norm for hundreds of employees at USANA,” Brown says. “We’re also connected 24-7. Our work/life balance is more challenging than ever, and I worry your days don’t stop.”

Brown recognizes that companies need to have tools in place to make sure employees are balancing workloads. Without them, it can be easy to slip into 10- or 11-hour workdays — especially when working from home. A set system or schedule can help you manage your time and stay productive.

Below are several excellent time-management tips, courtesy of Jim Brown.

Plan Your Productivity

I use Outlook. The calendar and reminders keep my day on track. And I set alarms on my phone, so I never miss a meeting. I also schedule downtime, time for me to just sit back and read a book, to learn and grow.

A simple pad and pen work for me, too. I keep my daily action items on it and take them into my meetings so that I can write notes. I put an “AI” next to action items. If I don’t keep track of them, I’ll forget to do them. The list sits on my desk.

My administrative assistant, Irene Howell, also helps me organize my events. She has access to my email and can add items to my calendar. She’s always looking ahead for me. It’s nice to have that extra help. She does a lot to help USANA move forward.

Fine Line Between Work and Life

I’ll look at my phone before bed to check if anything has popped up. But even if it’s urgent, I take care of the issue the next day.

Working from home, you get to decide if you’ll take a break or run an errand. Your inner voice may make you feel guilty for going to the bank or hardware store. But if you’re good at time management, and you’re knocking action items off your list (whatever that may look like), you shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself.

Sit down and look at your time. Make that work/life balance happen.

Time Management

It’s Your Time

Some companies have implemented companywide initiatives to block out hours when employees can’t schedule meetings.

We don’t have any such plans. USANA shouldn’t be blocking out hours, you should. And this goes back to time management. Develop your own schedule. Say you need to pick up the kids from school or help them with homework — that’s your downtime. I don’t want you to lose that because the company has scheduled hours for everyone to follow.

Yes, we all have big days that require long hours, but this shouldn’t be the norm. Our normal is a very stable work week where we effectively give to the company because USANA gives back to us.

Good Timing

Time management takes extra effort and attention to detail. It also goes beyond calendars and to-do lists. Here are a few suggestions to help you make the most of your day.

1. Look Ahead

For some people, it’s helpful to always look a day ahead. I keep an eye on my whole week. Managing your calendar in advance gives you the flexibility to modify your schedule for both your business and personal needs.

2. Take Time to Reset

Free time is important. I’m trying to exercise a little bit more now, so that helps me. At night, my son and I play video games together. It’s a great way to spend time with him. I also just love gaming. Call of Duty or Madden is my way to take my mind off work.

3. Procrastination

Everyone procrastinates on some level. Though it’s not something I have much of an issue with. I have a lot of other things to work on, like my impatience.

Procrastination usually happens if a task doesn’t excite you or is something you don’t want to do. But the longer you wait, the worse it gets. It’s better to tackle these things head-on.

And if you have control over your time, you can afford a little procrastination.

4. Say No

I honestly don’t think any of us are good at saying “no.” When something lands on your desk or you’re asked to take on a task, look at your priorities. If you don’t have the time and it’s reasonable to do so, say no.

5. Delegate

Delegating is a great way to get stuff done. It’s a chance to help others learn something new and inspire them. The higher your position, the more important it is to delegate. If you’re building a team, they need to be prepared to move up as well.

Delegation is a tool for growth. Look at it as a teaching tool. If you’re just using it because you don’t want to do stuff, (and I don’t think we have employees like that) then you are not using it right.

6. Set Your Phone Aside

I never actually shut my phone down. But when I finish work, or when I come home, I’ll set it down to take a break from the texts. I typically put it away so that I can spend one-on-one time with my wife and son, too. That way, I can give them my undivided attention.

I’m not always perfect. If that phone vibrates, I’ll pick it up and look at it just to make sure everything’s OK. But sometimes putting it to the side is all you need.

7. Take Vacation

I struggle to use my vacation hours. Sometimes I take a Friday off or go to Lake Powell for a week. But most of my vacations are extensions of my weekends.

Vacations help us wind down and take a mental break from work. I understand vacations look different right now, but it’s important to take time for yourself.

The Value of Time

In the end, the one thing we’ll regret most is the time we didn’t spend with our loved ones.

With good time management, you’ll spend less time working and still get just as much done. Schedules make you feel prepared and productive. And they can help you enjoy work — and life.

To view additional articles in this series, please click here.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Kevin Guest: 3 Keys to a Fresh Start in 2021

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I’d like to share the following article that went out to news organizations in late 2020.

Getting a Fresh Start in 2021

Making a fresh start toward success in 2021 requires three key decisions to forge forward no matter the past. The following strategies are based on principles in All the Right Reasons, a bestselling book by Kevin Guest.

“Few people dispute that 2020 has been one of the most difficult years in history,” Guest said. “But 2021 can become one of the best, especially when we apply solid principles that can move us forward.”

First Key: Learn From the Past

The Butch O'Hare Principle - Butch O'Hare - All the Right Reasons“The first principle is to learn from the past and move forward,” said Guest, who’s also chairman and CEO of USANA Health Sciences. “It’s something I was inspired to do from the life of World War II fighter pilot Butch O’Hare.”

O’Hare became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII and the first Naval aviator to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Guest wrote in his bestselling book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony.

“Butch O’Hare, for whom the Chicago O’Hare Airport is named, was the son of Easy Eddie, the famed attorney for Al Capone in the 1920s and ’30s, who was notorious for racketeering, bootlegged alcohol, gambling rings and prostitution in the Windy City,” Guest wrote.

“But Easy Eddie wanted a better life for his son, and his son, Butch, looked to the future instead of dwelling on the past and made contributions that saved countless American lives in the war. Believing in fresh starts is the key, and there is no better time for us all to do that than Jan. 1, 2021.”

Second Key: Help Others Who Are in Need

The second principle is to help others who are in need.

“Losing yourself in the service of others is therapeutic beyond measure,” Guest said. “That’s something that will bring untold benefits because it helps the giver and the receiver, who may be a coworker, friend, or even a stranger. The rewards of simple acts of service are immeasurable and something we need as we enter a new year and detach from the pandemic.”

Third Key: Never Give Up

Guest’s third principle comes from his grandfather, who taught his grandson confidence, courage, and commitment.

Kevin Guest Speaking“My grandpa was a strong influence in my life in Montana,” Guest said. “He loved to make things happen, not only in business but in life. He was full of enthusiasm and optimism, a real dealmaker.

“His favorite mottos were on a plaque on his desk: ‘You Gotta Fake It Till You Make It’ and ‘Go, Baby, Go.’ Those sayings have stuck with me and taught me that you have to give it your all for as long as you can. You have to be committed and see things through to the end. That’s when the magic happens.”

Leading a billion-dollar company in 24 markets worldwide, Guest applies the principles globally and expects to see a 2021 work environment bring successes for all who apply lessons from the pandemic, help lift others higher and energize their talents to make a difference for the better.

“Persistently implementing these patterns into our personal work habits can carry us to higher levels of personal success — especially as we enter a new year of opportunities like no other time in our lives,” he said.

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, written by Kevin Guest, is available on Amazon. All proceeds benefit The USANA Foundation, which works to feed hungry children. Each book purchase provides 40 meals. A version of the above article was distributed as a news release on Dec. 29, 2020.

4 Ways to Stay Healthy at Home

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Health is much more than simply how we feel physically. Paul Jones, USANA’s chief leadership development officer, recognizes this and recently he shared with our employees four ways to stay healthy at home.

USANA President Jim Brown speaking about the importance of health.

USANA President Jim Brown speaking about the importance of health.

“How grateful I am to work for a company that lists health as a core value,” he says. “Its very vision is to create the ‘Healthiest Family on Earth’ no matter where we are — working in the office or at home.”

Though physical health is incredibly important, so too is our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

“They are very much intertwined and if one aspect of health is struggling, it impacts the others,” Jones says.

With that, Jones outlines four areas of our life we can focus on to improve our overall well-being. It’s the latest in a series of posts from USANA’s management team.

Tips to Stay Healthy at Home

1. Nutrition

For many, it seems one of the more frustrating effects of COVID-19 is the 19 pounds we have gained from staying in and eating less than stellar foods. I have three challenges for us all:

  • First, evaluate the snack selections available in our remote worksite pantries and eliminate the greatest temptations. Snack less in between meals. And when you do snack, choose healthy options.
  • Second, drink more water throughout the day. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.3 liters) of fluids for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women.
  • Third, take CellSentials.

The Challenge: Choose healthy snacks, drink more water, and take your vitamins.

2: Exercise

Studies show the importance of exercise. However, one of the great benefits of regular exercise is better mental health. A comparison of 1.2 million people who do 45 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 days a week have 1.5 fewer days of poor mental health each month.

The exercise does not necessarily have to be in a gym (if they’re open). Shoveling snow, raking leaves, vigorous house cleaning, and many other regular, daily activities also count.

The Challenge: Let’s get up and move!

3: Sleep

Too many of us are sleep deprived. The recommended guideline for a good night’s sleep is at least seven hours. Yet, one in three adults doesn’t meet this standard, according to Nancy Sin, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia.

“A large body of research has shown that inadequate sleep increases the risk for mental disorders, chronic health conditions, and premature death,” Sin says. “All elements of our health are negatively affected when we don’t get adequate sleep.”

The Challenge: Turn off the electronics and go to sleep.

4: Gratitude

This is Jones’ secret to a healthy life. He explains that Nationwide Children’s Hospital has shown the following health benefits from living with gratitude:

  • Improved mood
  • Increased optimism
  • Improved social bonds
  • Improved physical health

And he challenges us to pick one — or more — of the following actions:

  1. Start your day by writing down one thing that went well the previous day and why it went well.
  2. When you find yourself feeling upset or frustrated, hit the pause button and reset your thinking. Come up with something positive about the situation or think about something else entirely that you are thankful for.
  3. Go around the dinner table and have each person state something they are thankful for. Even more, identify something specific to that day that they are thankful for.
  4. Share your gratitude with others by writing a note to someone for whom you are grateful.

To view additional articles in this series, please click here.

Make the ‘Season of Giving’ a Year-Round Effort

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We’re in the midst of what many consider to be the Season of Giving. The holidays are a time for giving back to our communities and giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

Yes, we’re embarking on a special time. And though I encourage each of us to focus on giving during this holiday season, I believe it’s important that we think about how we can give back, no matter the time of year.

It’s the overall Spirit of Giving, a notion that’s not tied to a calendar, that helps to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Volunteering Weekly

USANA Kids Eat volunteers. Photo credit: The USANA Foundation

This time last year, we were putting the finishing touches on opening the new USANA Kids Eat food-packing facility in Salt Lake City. In just a few months, we’ve watched the program become an integral part of our community.

USANA Kids Eat, an initiative of The USANA Foundation, couldn’t do what it does without a dedicated staff and teams of volunteers. Several individuals volunteer weekly throughout the year. They fill backpacks with food and deliver them to schools to ensure students aren’t going hungry on weekends.

In October, The USANA Foundation blog highlighted a half-dozen of the volunteers who are committed to giving back year-round. I’ve known many of the USANA Kids Eat volunteers personally for years as members of the USANA Family. I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks for the countless hours of service.

Miles for Meals

As I mentioned in my October e-newsletter, a group of four USANA employees had organized Miles for Meals. The 12-hour bike ride on Oct. 29 aimed to provide 12,600 meals for hungry kids. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and here’s an update on the adventure. Spoiler: The campaign raised more than 20,000 meals!

Giving Back

As we celebrate the Season of Giving, I’d like to encourage you to look within your community and identify opportunities to give. It’s so important to have in our hearts a Spirit of Giving. I believe it enriches our lives as well as the lives of others.

Thank you for doing all you do to help make the world a better place. We all have the power to help others, to give back, and to do good in this world all year long.

May your holiday season be filled with happiness.

P.S. Here’s a recent news clip featuring USANA Kids Eat.

A version of this article went to email subscribers on Nov. 24, 2020. I invite you to subscribe here.