Meet Mark Daggett

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Daggett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I have always been somewhat of a confident person and been a people person. I have been confident in operating my own business for 21 years and making decisions . it was in 2001 that a good friend named Doug came to me to see if I was interested in growing my personal self! I said so thanks. He approached me again on the same topic and again I respectfully denied! Little did I know this would Change my Life Forever
It is interesting how opportunities seem to present themselves in time of need and not knowing you could benefit from them!
Fast Forward 8 months, Doug comes to me again with the same opportunity and I said I was interested.
The opportunity, come to find out was called Rapport Leadership International. A 3 day Leadership Development Course in the mountains of Nevada on a pristine Executive Retreat Ranch.
What took place over the next 3 days was Mind Blowing! It not only took me so far outside of my comfort zone, I was sure I would have a panic attack! You see, When you get out there on those skinny branches of the tree of life, is where you grow, The processes and exercises you go through along with 25 others who you do not know and have come from across the U S to do the same thing! Grow themselves and become all of who they are capable of being. The keep benefit that would unfold over the next few days are, you would become such genuinely good friends with these strangers and gain their trust! You would come to realize that this Leadership Development Course has nothing to do with learning things from paper hand outs, or the instructors telling you things. It has everything to do with Self Realization and realizing what you really are capable of!
Long hours well into the mid mornings , tired and ready to be done! this sums up what we all were feeling. After starting the course on Friday, by Saturday evening, I started to see some things that were starting to make sense.
In a nut shell, The key that they were giving us to personal success is the key we already have! We have all of what it takes to be successful and thrive. WE all have the tools needed to be successful in business and your personal life. Once I figured this out this it becomes so powerful and exciting. I exuded confidence on a good level. I felt more energized and ready to share my experience with the world! I wanted to tell my family who I already loved so much, how much I really loved them! This would carry over into my business life and into building strong relationships.
The fact that we already have the tools needed to be not so much a better person but one that learns how to articulate better and is much more approachable. I found myself going out of my way to talk to people and strike up conversations and just display my new found confidence and love for myself and others !

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have always had a giving heart! There are basically two types of people in this world! Givers & Takers! I am grateful that I am a Giver. In 2016 I was close to retiring from my work career of 47 years in the Landscape, Horticulture and Land Development world. Mid 2016 our company hired a young lady that I knew to eventually take my place. Things were going great and mid May 2017 , my co-worker Tammy and her husband along with their 23 month toddler Reilly were out shopping for a friends birthday.
In an instant Reilly had a tragic accident that left him with a C-2 Complete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) paralyzes from below the shoulders and on a ventilator . In the blink of an eye, Life changed for Reilly & his Family. Everyone was devastated with the news and all of Reilly’s Community rallied together to do what they could. Go fund me account was set up, we held a charity golf tournament was held raising $155,000. As the days, weeks, months went on, the depth of sorrow, compassion and empathy grew beyond belief. At first I asked why is this affecting me so deeply? As we went along, one day in the office I figured it out! This was a Mission from God and I was the chosen one! OK, now we have it figured out right? Not even close.
Through the balance of 2017 & 2019 we worked to get our filing’s completed with IRS & the State of California. Beginning of 2020 Rally4Reilly & Friends was borne and was a registered 501c3 non profit organization! We continued to have our Annual Charity Golf Tournament and the community continued to support us along the way. We would go on to partner with Sharp Rehab facility, Rady Childrens Hospital San Diego , San Diego Sockers and many other wonderful organizations. The long term goal for Rally4Reilly & Friends is to become a Hub in San Diego for the Spinal Cord Community. To advocate for the SCI Community, to provide the critical needs and services to the SCI Community. Rally4Reilly & Friends will become the First and Foremost organization to turn to in the Spinal Cord Injury Community.
We continue to reach out to the community to gain interest in our Mission and welcome in additional Community Partners. These partners will not only help financially support our mission but stand along side of R4R & F in the community and help us provide for the SCI Community at the level they need and deserve. The services and goods that we provide are very expensive. This is why we are seeking partners to join in to help make our mission possible.
We push forward with our new Strategic Plan and share with the world what is important to Rally4Reilly & Friends.
We strive for positive forward growth by living by our 4 Pillars. Education, Rehabilitation, Mental Health & Resources.
At Rally4Reilly & Friends we continue to add to out events venue. We are hosting our 2nd annual Cornhole tournament and family fun fair in October.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I believe one of the most important factors in this journey is having such a deep level of passion. It grows deeper each and every day.

A strong sense of Leadership is very important. The fact that you will be leading your team and board of directors takes a strong sense of working and leading a team and having everyone feel a part of belonging.

Always have a plan
Staying positive and keeping a smile on even though it gets tough.

We get to be a part of something that is far bigger than all of us!
Stay Humble & Grateful

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My Parents taught myself and my siblings How to be a Good Human. They showed us the need and importance of practicing Respect , Kindness and Humility. Always lend a helping hand.
These key life lessons that my parents instilled in us have grown stronger over the years and I am forever grateful for their input.

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Image Credits

Aaron Lawler @ Model Image Media

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