Author: Jim Thompson


  • Leave No Man Behind: Overcoming Loneliness in Mid-life

    If you have known me for longer than eight years, you’ve heard or seen me talk or post about F3. My wife thinks I belongs to a cult. Apparently so do all of the other wives of other F3 guys across the country. I mean, we do get up at 5A, rain or shine, hot…

  • Faith Without Action Is Dead -And It Changed My Life

    For many, including myself, this week is very special as it marks holy weeks for both Christians and Jews. I am a Christian, and today is Maundy Thursday. “Maundy” comes from Latin and means “a new commandment I give to you.” As part of my Thursday blog posts, I’ve dedicated this time to share more…

  • When “Good Enough” Isn’t Enough: How Data Turned AENC into the Premier Resource

    I am currently working with my first client at Tying It Together Consulting, and the project centers on something they believe they do very well for their members. However, several public and private organizations are actually delivering those same services more effectively. While that scenario may sound eerily familiar to some of you, it immediately…

  • People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel

    A few weeks ago I was sitting outside the office with a good friend, chatting about our children. He mentioned that his youngest had recently been accepted into Appalachian State University. While he was excited for him to experience the book learning that comes with a university education, he also didn’t want him to take…

  • In a World of Neckties, Why Knot Be Different?

    The Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) hosted a Legislative Reception every two years to kick off the long session of the NC General Assembly. And this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill event. The reception brought out the who’s who of North Carolina’s political scene. It was a chance to connect with those recently elected or re-elected.…

  • The Mentor Who Shaped My Association Career – And Why It Led Me to Launch Tying It Together Consulting

    “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – When I first heard that Mark Twain quote, I wasn’t sure what it meant. I was fairly certain it didn’t apply to working in tobacco fields during middle school, baking bagels at Bruegger’s in North Hills…

  • A Realistic Weight-Loss Story: Progress, Setbacks and Staying Healthy

    The guy who asked, “Why?Are you being chased?” If you’ve known me for less than 10 years, you probably wouldn’t guess that I used to be the guy who, when someone said they were going to run a 5K, would respond with, “Why? Is someone chasing you?” But in 2016, and every year before that,…

  • Five Suits, One Mentor and the Start of My Career

    As I mentioned in last week’s post about Tim Kent, he hired me as the first NC Association of REALTORS® Director of Business Development. And from the moment that happened, one thing became very clear: Tim was going to invest in my success. He was determined to give me the tools not only to thrive…

  • Don’t Mistake Kindness For Weakness

    Last week I shared my first experience with a GORUCK Basic. Once I got a taste of what these events were like, it became clear it was time to step up my game. Several of my F3 guys were signing up for the granddaddy of GORUCK events: The Bragg. And this year was special because…

  • When He Walked In

    When He Walked In

    My first role in the association profession was with the NC Association of REALTORS®. And although it wasn’t Tim who hired me, it would be him who ultimately influenced my future career path. I vividly remember the day it was announced that Tim was being hired as the Executive Vice President of NCAR. When I…