Leaving a Gift For Future You

I had a ridiculously fun experience yesterday. Nearly four years after one of my clients stepped away from our coaching relationship, they reached out and asked if we could set up a one-time coaching meeting. They are contemplating a huge life decision and wanted a second opinion. I get it, as this is a heavy consideration in front of them, ripe with all sorts of consequences (financial and otherwise).

I understood the general concept and heart behind the question, but I didn't yet know the broader context. Then, as happens before all my coaching meetings, they sent me updated financial information. I opened the Excel file and smiled; I immediately knew something they didn't. In the nearly four years since we last met, they had done precisely as I recommended. They followed my advice nearly verbatim. That was the moment I knew it would be a fun and productive meeting!

My job was easy at that point. Instead of trying to measure all the pros and cons of this seemingly heavy decision, I was able to visually illustrate why not only could they do it, but they should do it. They diligently, intentionally, and consistently structured their finances and invested in such a way that they now have a myriad of options on how to handle the next season of life. That flexibility, in turn, will now unlock one of their dreams. They left a beautiful gift for their future selves, and today, their future selves are able to receive said gift.

This is the mind-bending part about our financial lives. Every decision we make impacts two people: Current us and future us. When current me makes a wise decision, it's a gift for future me. When current me makes a bone-headed decision, it's a curse for future me. Whether we want to admit it or not, future me will always become current me at some point in time. Even 80-year-old future Travis will become current Travis in 2061. A time will come when the future old man me will become current me.....I'll be that guy!

I think about this a lot when I reflect on the wild life choices Sarah and I have made over the past six years. With the benefit of hindsight, there was a wonderful season where then-current Travis and Sarah left a truly blessing-filled gift for future Travis and Sarah. That future Travis and Sarah is us today. We're reaping the blessing of decisions that previous versions of us made.

What gifts or curses are you leaving to your future self? That's an amazing question to ask today. What do you want your future self to have? What does future you need from current you today? Whatever the answer is to that question, today is a good day to give that gift.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Ugly Scoreboards

Yesterday was Finn and Pax's first flag football game of the season. Pax's excitement was sky-high, and he was hoping to perform at the highest level. On the very first play of the game, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. In a matter of five seconds, they were losing 0-7. Ouch!

I was expecting the worst. Would he start crying? Would he get angry? Would he pout and feel sorry for himself? To my surprise, he seemed fine. His offense went three-and-out on its next possession, and their opponent scored an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of their next drive. Two minutes in, and they were down 0-14.

Later on, he missed a tackle that resulted in a long touchdown. Ok, now he was really going to be down. Except he wasn't. He was on the sideline, hyping up his teammates, bringing encouragement, and celebrating every little win. Who is this guy?!?! They went into halftime down 0-21, and he seemed oddly jolly.

As the second half unfolded, his team dominated. Pax moved to defense, where he made himself present on nearly every snap. On the other side of the ball, we scored four touchdowns in a row. Each time we scored, Pax sprinted onto the field and wildly celebrated his teammates. It was a remarkable sight, and I was so proud of him. We won 28-21, and I was extremely proud of both boys' efforts.

The most profound part of that experience for me was watching Pax stay positive, encouraging, and confident despite all the adversity that he endured. He was a stellar teammate and the ultimate hype man. He could have let any one of those events keep him down, yet he persevered.

After our post-game ice cream, I told him that was a perfect analogy for life. We will absolutely get knocked down over and over and over. That's never in question. What's in question, though, is what we'll do about it. Will we give up? Will we cower? Will we be a victim? Will we make excuses? Will we complain? Will we blame others? Or. Or. Or will we get up and keep moving forward?

So many people I'm working with are throwing pick-sixes. They just got scored on. They just gave up a long touchdown. They just missed a play. They are at halftime, down 0-21. They are getting their butts kicked by life. But what happens from here on out is still to be written.

Wherever you're at today, whether down 0-21 or on the winning side of the ledger, the future is still in your hands. Please don't let the past mistakes, unfortunate situations, or embarrassing failures keep you down. Today is a great day to get up, dust yourself off, and put some points on the scoreboard of life.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

From the Ashes

One of my friends experienced something beyond horrifying. They've been through it all, and somehow stand upright on the other side of it. I can't even imagine the amount of pain they've endured.

During a recent conversation, I shared that I'm hopeful and confident that beauty will eventually rise from the ashes of this chaos. Over the subsequent 45 minutes, they shared beauty, after beauty, after beauty.

Watching their friends, family, and neighbors rally around them with unconditional love, support, and generosity. They've never felt more loved than they do now.

Speaking of generosity, the love they've experienced from those around them has unlocked an entirely new understanding of what it means to be joyfully and sacrificially generous. Some of their perspectives on giving have been rewired, and the potential consequences of this shift are exciting!

Watching their kids grow in their faith, resilience, and perseverance. Nobody wishes their children to experience pain and suffering, but to see faith bloom during this season has been a tremendous blessing.

Gaining a newfound outlook on life, relationships, finances, and what it means to pursue meaning over money.

Feeling a deep sense of gratitude. Not dwelling on all the things we don't have, but being sincerely grateful for all we do.

Beauty, through the ashes. Sometimes we get more than we bargained for, and we'd give anything to undo it, but beauty will always rise from the ashes.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Carving a Path

According to society, our younger generation is screwed. They will never save money. They will never buy a house. They will never retire. They will never be able to survive without having 3-4 jobs. They will never have a standard of living that resembles the generations before them. At least that's the narrative I hear on a daily basis. 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with one such young adult. 23 years old. Limited education. Comes from a family with few financial resources. Lives in a humble apartment. 

Oh yeah, and he will make more income this year than my family. No, he's not an influencer. No, he didn't invent anything. No, he wasn't given a cushy job by someone with influence. 

He developed a blue-collar skill and decided to sell it to people. After doing that a bunch of times, he did it a bunch more. He saved, saved, and saved. Then he bought a van. Then he hired a few people to help him. Then he hired a few more. Today, he has an entire team that serves people all around the city. He's crushing it! Reminder, he's 23. 

As he shared updates about his journey, I couldn't help but smile. He created something out of nothing. He carved his own unique path. He put in the work, made sacrifices, and figured it out one failure at a time. There's nothing special about him other than his willingness to do what others won't. In today's marketplace, that's a superpower. 

We live in a country that allows each of us to carve a unique path. There's literally unlimited opportunity…..if we're willing to pursue it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a traditional, more linear path. That can be an awesome and fulfilling life, and many people around me are living examples of that. However, if you're feeling discontent with your status, standing, or progress with your current path, always remember that alternative paths exist. An entire alternative universe exists! A universe that you're the author of.

I hope your life, both at work and outside of it, is fulfilling and meaningful. I hope you wake up every day excited for what's to come. If you're not, though, I encourage you to muster the courage to carve a different path. It's right there in front of you.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Deeper Than We Think

I received a bevy of criticism after yesterday's post. To summarize, I shared the story of a friend who is continually scared to spend money on wants because, all his life, he has been told that spending on things we don't need (especially expensive things) is "irresponsible." I challenged him to buy a $500+ ticket to watch his favorite team play in person for the first time ever.

The criticism:

• "You're encouraging people to be irresponsible!"

• "You should be telling people to save money not waste it."

• "Good luck retiring someday."

Do you see the irony in this? I write a piece about how a grown man who has done a wonderful job with finances is terrified to spend money on anything fun because all he's been told his whole life is that spending on wants is "irresponsible," then immediately receive a string of responses telling me that he's being irresponsible (and I'm as equally irresponsible for egging him on).

This stuff runs deep, guys! In our culture, we tend to hear the stories about people who are out there recklessly spending; it's almost become a joke. They are certainly out there! Part of the reason we talk about it is that it's so public. We often see the public side of these decisions: big, shiny, new, exotic, and fancy purchases plastered all over social media.

However, those who suffer on the other side of this coin typically suffer in silence. They often feel guilty, sometimes embarrassed, about not being able to spend money on wants. Years and years of criticism are taking their toll. Those words heard when they were children and teenagers sound as loud in their heads today as they did when first spoken.

A few encouragements today:

• If this is you, you're not alone. Find a way to break through, even if just something small. A start is a start.

• If you have influence over someone, and I suspect you do, encourage them to spend some of their resources onwants. Not all.....some.

• Lean into YOUR values. Don't spend money just to spend money. Find what matters most to you, and invest those dollars there.

• Enjoy the process!

• Have an awesome day.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Book It

I was having a coffee with a friend. Let's call him Bill. Bill is in his 40s, humble, disciplined, and by all accounts, financially successful. His family floats somewhere in the middle class. They don't lack, but at the same time, they don't live a showy life. Bill's family is what I'd refer to as a fairly normal suburban American family.

Bill is terrified to spend money on things that matter to him. If he needs it (truly needs it), it's no big deal, done. However, whenever something veers into the want camp, especially if the price tag exceeds $100, he cowers. His hesitancy isn't caused by a lack of resources or difficulty prioritizing expenditures. He and his wife have made great financial decisions and don't need to worry about drastic negative consequences.

Rather, his mental and emotional roadblock stems from childhood. For decades, he heard the same message: "Don't spend money on things you don't need." "Don't be irresponsible." Thus, Bill views spending money on wants as taboo.

Bill loves his favorite sports team. LOVES them! During my recent conversation with Bill, he confessed that he's never actually seen his team play in person. Why? It's a want....and wants are irresponsible.

"Book it!" I exclaimed. "Buy a ticket and go." Not only that, but I encouraged him to buy a high-quality ticket. The good seats! I took it one step further. He wasn't allowed to spend less than $500 on the ticket. The mere thought of this idea made him sweat. Not only was I asking him to spend money on a want, but to do it in a big way.

Bill actually followed through! He bought the ticket for his team's first game of the year. Not only that, but he bought an amazing ticket. Fast forward several weeks, and the game arrived. That was last night.

It was a night to remember for Bill. It was everything he dreamed of these last four decades, and more. What about the money? Shockingly (to him, not to me), he doesn't feel like spending that money will negatively impact him, nor does he feel "irresponsible."

I couldn't love this more. It might seem like a silly hurdle to overcome, but this is a crippling problem for millions of people. Sometimes, you just need to book it. It's important that we practice the art and science of spending money on wants. For some, it comes naturally, but for others, it's one of the biggest roadblocks of our lives. If we can learn to do this freely, but within reason, it can unlock so much meaning in our lives.

Book it. Just book it. Try me on this one.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Give An Inch, Take a Mile

We have a podcast called Meaning Over Money. From March 2021 through March 2025 (more than four years), we published two episodes per week, every week, without fail. We didn't miss a single episode for 419 episodes. Then, something happened: We decided to take one week off. Just one week!

The problem is that every time we give an inch, they will take a mile. In this case, by "we," I mean Cole and I, and by "they," I mean Cole and I. We gave ourselves an inch, and we took a mile. Our "we'll just take off one week" quickly grew to two weeks. Then, after just one episode, we took another three weeks off. Episode. Then a few more weeks. Episode. Then another few more weeks. Episode. Then, lastly, we had a near three-month gap.

Just like that, we self-sabotaged ourselves right under our own noses. Now, it's fair to admit that both Cole and I had a LOT of life going on. Travel, parenting, work, marriage, ministry.....all the good things. However, it's amazing how we'll use even the smallest excuse to derail ourselves if we allow ourselves.

This is one of the reasons why I've published on this blog for more than 1,000 consecutive days. I know myself well enough to know that even one day off could be the gateway to a month off. Give an inch, take a mile!

Sure, it's evident that if we miss one day, we can always jump back on the horse with little harm. That's quite true. However, our human instinct will always pull us away from our endeavors when this happens. It's sad, but true.

This isn't me saying that perfection is the answer. Perfection kills more dreams than mistakes do. Instead, what I'm suggesting is that we need to be aware of how apt we are to self-sabotage our own best interests. We'll self-sabotage our dreams like it was a trip to the dentist. That's how deeply wired this concept is in our human psyche.

So, today, draw a line in the sand and don't give yourself an inch. Whatever that project or endeavor is, stay the course. Follow through because that's what you do. You're a follower-through'er. Then, tomorrow, you'll do the same. One flawed, imperfect step at a time.

If you've never listened to our podcast before, I invite you to check it out. Today’s episode is about this very topic of self-sabotage. You can find it on APPLE, SPOTIFY, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Structure

The boys go back to school on Tuesday. All four of us are looking forward to it! A lot! We've had a great summer, full of adventures, experiences, memories, and travels. I hope the boys permanently cement some of what we experienced into their brains. I'm truly grateful for these past few months. However, it's time to get back to "normal."

More importantly, I'm excited to get back into a solid structure. Structure is one of those things we spend our entire lives trying to avoid and rebel against. On the surface, most of us want to fly by the seat of our pants, live willy nilly, and do what we want when we want. That's often cited as one of the primary reasons people want to start businesses. They are trying to escape the structure that normal life often dictates to us.

Today, though, I want to counter this inclination. I'm pro-structure. Actually, I'm deeply convinced that structure is what allows us to thrive. While I spent decades trying to avoid structure, I've spent the past six years intentionally working to create structure in every phase of my life. I'm not militant about it. I'm not a victim of it. I don't let it drive my life. Rather, I create, tweak, and perfect various forms of structure that enable me to be my best. Things like:

• When I get up and go to bed.

• What I wear.

• When and what I eat.

• Where I sit in rooms.

• What I take with me everywhere I go.

• The people I regularly spend time with.

• The order I sequence my work.

• The days I do various types of activities.

• The habits that connect to particular actions.

I create structure anywhere I can find a way to create structure. Sarah and the boys often laugh at me, but that structure is what allows me to handle all that's on my plate.

On the negative side of this conversation, I STRUGGLE when I lose my structure. I simply haven't been my best over the past several months. I've let a lot of people down and whiffed on many different endeavors. The lack of structure is killing me. I desperately need to get my structure back, and God willing, this is the week it happens!

This is simple stuff for some of you, but for others, this might be the one piece that can help you unlock your best self and most meaningful day-to-day life. Perhaps this is the week you start adding structure. Start small. Add one piece of structure and see how it goes. Then, add another. Build, test, iterate, repeat. It might just unlock the next best season of your life!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Just Take a Step

You never know what will happen by simply taking a step. Some steps are insignificant. Some steps move us forward. Some steps hinder our progress. Some steps change everything. Here's the problem: We rarely know which is which.

In the fall of 2015, I received a phone call from a guy I barely knew. His name was Gary Hoag (yes, the same Gary I often talk about in my writing). I had only met him one time at that point, but I was excited to speak to him again. Long story short, he called to ask if I would be interested in joining him in some international ministry. The next step would be for Sarah and me to fly to Asia to interview with the board. I had never been to Asia. I had lots of emotions. I was excited, anxious, and overwhelmed. What should I do?!?!

I took a step. I booked plane tickets and we boarded a plane for Asia. Some steps change everything; this step changed everything. Ten years later, I still call these people family. I've experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with these people. I've seen the best of humanity, and the worst of humanity. I've seen the overwhelming awesomeness of God, and the absolute brokenness of our world. I've seen things I can never unsee.....for better or for worse. Through it all, we've done it together. Grateful doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this group of people.

All because I took a step. One simple step. That step could have meant nothing. It could have been insignificant. It could have been as forgettable as any step. We never know which is which. But this particular step changed everything.

We humans are so good at saying no, justifying inaction, and normalizing the status quo. Sometimes, though, we just need to take a step. No, we won't know where our steps will lead. No, we don't know if it will impact us. No, there's no certainty our lives will be better for it. However, there's no way for us to experience life-changing steps without first being willing to simply take a step.

Taking a step is one of the hardest things about the human experience. It's risky. It's scary. It's uncertain. All true, but it can also be beautiful. Today, I challenge you to take a step. I don't know what your step is, but I think you do. There's something you know you need to step into. It could be nothing.....or it could change everything.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

It’s the Third Question For Me

Why do some people succeed while others flounder? Is it luck? Good/bad fortune? Circumstance? I think about this a lot as I watch people all around me.

One of my favorite speakers at the Global Leadership Summit this year was former Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Coach Saban is arguably one of the best football coaches of all time, with a resume to back it up. One of the most interesting things he talked about at the Summit was how he approached his players.

When he first met a player, he would ask them three questions:

1. What are your personal goals? Some players wanted to be a starter. Some wanted to graduate. Some wanted to make the NFL.

2. Working backward, what do you need to do to achieve those goals? In other words, if a player wanted to make the NFL, what specific steps would the player need to take to make it happen?

3. Are you willing to do what it takes to see it through?

It's the third question for me! Lots of people have goals. Some people plot out the steps to make it happen. Few have the fortitude to actually achieve them. Talk is cheap, action is work, and perpetual consistency is tremendously difficult.

Very few people have the fortitude to do what it actually takes to achieve the goal. I'll give you two personal examples. For years, I've wanted to be a high-level professional speaker. I absolutely love the idea. However, a few years ago, I plotted out what I would need to do to make it happen. Truthfully, I'm not willing to do what it takes to make it happen. I used to feel guilty about that, but when push came to shove, the cost for other areas of my life wasn't worth the prize. I've mourned that loss, but it's an intentional choice.

Here's the other side of that coin. TJ, my Northern Vessel business partner, has a unique dream. He wants to create the single best coffee shop in America. Just like the speaking dream, we've drawn out what needs to happen to bring that dream to life. We know what must be done. Finally, the third question: Are we willing to do what it takes to see it through?

The answer is a resounding "Yes!" We're 100% able, willing, and excited to do what needs to be done to bring that dream to life. It's a brutal endeavor, but a beautiful one. It's become one of the greatest joys of my life, and I never take that for granted. Will we actually become the best coffee shop in America? Time will tell, but we're committed to the pursuit of excellence.

That third question is what matters most. Think about what you want most. Really think about it! Are you willing to do what it takes to bring it to life? The honest answer to that question probably tells you everything you need to know.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Block By Block

Yesterday was a special day for me. Nobody knew it was a special day, but I felt it from front to back. Pax has really come alive these past few days, actively engaging with the various leaders we're spending time with. Yesterday alone, Pax spent time with leaders from five different countries and was exposed to six different languages. Every once in a while, he would give me a look. It was a look that communicated some combination of impressed, curious, and excited. He was like a sponge. His eyes are opening to the world, and his curiosity is palpable.

As the day progressed, I could see him gaining more confidence. He asked more questions, volunteered to help out, and approached people whom, just a few days prior, he seemed intimidated by. Block by block.

"Dad, when can we go to Mongolia?" Those words are music to my ears. His view of the world is expanding. He's starting to see a bigger picture forming. He's beginning to think about people outside his own little bubble. Block by block.

A few of the men said they were going to swim out into Lake Huron, where there's a large sand bar a few hundred feet out. It's an intimidating lake that's more akin to an ocean. Water as far as the eyes can see, with waves caused by the recent storm continuously crashing on shore. Pax, having grown in his confidence and trust in this diverse group of leaders, eagerly and excitedly jumped in with us. Block by block.

Will this week change Pax's life? Maybe, but probably not. However, what he's experiencing during his time here is a key building block in a broader journey. It's uncomfortable, but fulfilling. It's nerve-wracking, but exciting. Man, I'm proud of that little guy. We still have a few days left, and I'm excited to watch both boys add a few more blocks.

Perhaps this message is for your kids.....or maybe it's for you. Block by block. Every experience (especially the ones that put us out of our comfort zone) is an opportunity to add a block. Subject yourself to new, interesting, and challenging experiences. Put yourself out there. Find new ways to serve. Engage with people who are different than you. Embrace new cultures. Every single block makes us better.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Willful Discomfort

Can we all agree that life can be uncomfortable? Regardless of how much comfort we try to pursue, discomfort will find us. Don't agree? Last time I checked, none of us make it out alive. Discomfort is coming, but the who, what, when, where, why, and how are still up in the air.

Last night, I had the blessing of spending time with a group of people ranging from long-time friends, to acquaintances, to first-time encounters. The conversation went deep. I heard several profound stories that rocked me to the core.

Something interesting dawned on me by the time the night concluded. Every one of these amazing stories had one thing in common: willful discomfort. While life will inevitably become uncomfortable at times, every person in that room willfully subjected themselves to discomfort along their journey. Not only that, but this willful act of discomfort had a direct connection with the beauty that subsequently unfolded.

This is a topic I write and talk about a lot, but it never goes out of style. Here's one example from my own life. Just over six years ago, Sarah and I made the radical decision that I would leave my 15-year career, our family would take a 90% pay cut, and we'd start over with a completely different life. All the material comforts our world had to offer were staring us in the face, and we turned the other way. Culturally, what we did was stupid. Mathematically, what we did was stupid. Comfort-wise, what we did was stupid.

However, with the benefit of six years of hindsight, that willful discomfort was easily the best decision I've ever made in my life. It might have also been one of the toughest things I've ever done, but that's a story for a different day. That single act of willful discomfort transformed our family, our lives, and the impact we've been able to make. Many decades from now, when I look back on my life and the thousands of key decisions I made, I will surely pinpoint that decision and a few other ridiculous acts of willful discomfort as the turning points of my life.

Sure, discomfort will find all of us.....eventually. However, what I'm suggesting today is that we should each willfully pursue discomfort. Find it, welcome it, and embrace it. When we're willing to stare at discomfort in the face and not allow it to deter us, everything is on the table. That's living!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

When the Beauty Arrives

In July 2024, I wrote a piece titled 'Beauty From the Pain' about a friend who was experiencing profound turmoil in her life. The post was about the reality that while painful moments are absolutely terrible while in the midst of them, beautiful things often transpire from them. I ended the piece with this: "Someday, preferably sooner than later, I hope my friend sees how much beauty came from this season of her life. She deserves it! Whatever pain you're experiencing, just know that a beautiful chapter will soon be written. Keep pressing on. You deserve it, too."

A few days ago, 55 weeks after writing that piece, that same friend sent me the most amazing update about her journey. After so much hurt, unknown, and self-doubt, she's about to enter a brand new season of life, full of optimism and opportunity. And just as predicted, the very things that caused her so much pain last year will now be used as tools to help her thrive in this next chapter. Beauty from the pain!

This is one of the things that makes life so hard. Despite feeling like our lives are flashing before our eyes, those tumultuous seasons seem to linger. It feels like we're stuck in quicksand, trapped in our own circumstance. However, if we can see it through and KNOW there is beauty on the other side of this pain, it could give us the extra boost of energy and motivation we need.

Whatever pain you're going through today, know that the end is near, and beauty is waiting on the other side. We won't know what form that beauty will come in, but it sure will be fun to find out!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

1,000

"Just write daily. It will change your life."

These words from my dear friend Gary Hoag sat with me for weeks. I could feel the weight of his statement, yet at the same time, I couldn't wrap my head around it. "Just write daily. It will change your life."

It took me a few months to get over myself, but eventually, I decided to trust Gary. Thus, the Daily Meaning was born. I only had two rules for this new endeavor:

1) 500 words or less

2) Publish daily, no exceptions.

By no exceptions, I mean no exceptions. I needed to create an environment where there are no outs. No justifications. No excuses. I committed to writing, editing, and publishing every single day of my life, regardless of circumstance. Even on my worst days. Even on my best days. Even on my sick days. Even on my where-am-I days. Even on my wilderness days. Even on my I-want-to-crawl-in-a-hole-and-die days. Even on my Sarah-and-I-are-fighting days. Even on my too-busy days. Even on my don't-know-what-to-write-about days. No exceptions. I write because I write.....period.

Today is day 1,000. 1,000 days in a row of writing and sharing my ideas with the world. Gary, I gotta tell you, you were right. It changed my life. Sincerely. It enabled me to serve thousands of people all over the world, meet new friends, engage daily with curious readers, and through the art of writing, learn how to think better.

I've written in ditches, tents, Mongolian gers, airports, cars, hospitals, funeral homes, amusement parks, planes, resorts, ships, gyms, schools, factories, arenas, and more than a dozen countries. When writing is woven into our lives, the world becomes our canvas, our creativity becomes our brush, and our experiences become our paint. It's all so beautiful. Not just the tangibly beautiful things, but everything.....including the pain.

Where do we go from here? To me, the answer is simple: "Just write daily." My commitment to you, and myself, is to continue writing daily, endeavoring to add value to people's lives, and perhaps provide a few laughs along the way (even if at my expense). If my theory is correct and everything we do builds into the next, the next 1,000 days should be even better than the first. I guess we'll find out.

My sincere thanks to everyone who signed up to take this journey with me. I hope the few minutes we share together each morning are as valuable for you as they are for me. Please never hesitate to hit "reply" and share what's on your mind. It's sincerely the highlight of my day. I'm eternally grateful for each of you.

God bless, and cheers to the next 1,000 days.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Lessons From My First 10 Years at the GLS

Day One of the Global Leadership Summit was a huge win. I thought the speakers were phenomenal, and a few of them seemed like they were speaking right into my soul. I always find it crazy when the perfect message hits us at the perfect time.....just when we need it most. That was my experience yesterday, for sure.

As we were waiting for the conference to begin yesterday morning, my friend Dan and I were discussing our key takeaways from the conference over the past decade. Since this is my 11th Summit, I've thought a lot about this topic. Therefore, I'm going to share the three main lessons the Summit has taught me over the years. No, these aren't lessons shared by specific speakers. Rather, they are lessons I learned about learning. This applies to the Summit, but through a broader lens, I think it applies to life as a whole.

Lesson #1: Be humble. We can't learn new things if we think we already have things figured out. I noticed this about myself during the first few years of the Summit. For whatever reason, I'd go into certain talks with an "I already know this stuff" posture. That's a sure-fire way to get nothing out of it. It's a great way to stay stagnant and remain right where we're at. Eventually, I recognized that I can learn something from anyone......period. It doesn't matter their education, experience, age, or discipline. If they have a pulse, I have something to learn from them.

Lesson #2: Less is more. In my earlier years attending the Summit, I wanted to walk away with dozens of new ideas and takeaways. I wanted to learn everything and change my life in 100 different ways. Then, I learned the hard way that trying to do 100 things is a great way to do nothing. Change is hard enough, never mind several changes at the same time. Instead, I shifted my goal to latch onto 2-3 key ideas and takeaways that could transform my life/business. That simple shift in mentality changed everything.

Lesson #3: Application. Sure, it's great to learn new things: conferences, podcasts, YouTube videos, books, online courses. There are countless ways for us to learn new ideas and skills. One thing I recognized early in my Summit days was a disconnect between how I felt immediately after the Summit vs. one month later. I learned all these new things and somehow thought that was enough. It wasn't! Ideas stuck in our brains do no good. Instead, we need to apply our learnings to our lives and business. We need to put one foot in front of the other and do the hard work. It's only then that we get to experience true impact.

That's my strategy heading into day two of the Summit. Be humble, find a few key takeaways, and apply them effectively. Regardless of where you're at today, I encourage you to do the same. Principles to live by!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

It’s All Connected

I'm excited to spend the next two days at the Global Leadership Conference, an annual event that I've been excitedly and dutifully attending for the last 11 years. I'm sure many blog posts and podcast ideas will blossom from what I experience these next few days, and I look forward to sharing that with you!

One of the things I was most excited about this week was the 5-hour drive with my friend Dan. I don't see him often, so any meaningful time I get with him is something I cherish. However, just a few days ago, he texted me and told me he would be flying to Chicago and would meet me there. What?!?!

He shared with me that he wanted to "get a long run on Lake Michigan" to celebrate a fun milestone in his business. Weird, I know....but that's Dan! Fast forward to yesterday, and I had just arrived at the hotel. Dan shot me a text that he just wrapped up his run and hopped into an Uber to meet me at the hotel. He also included a data link to the run he just completed: 23.57 miles! Immediately after exiting a plane. On a hot summer day. Dan, man!

This is one of the things I love most about Dan. I'm not an avid runner like he is, but I greatly appreciate his discipline and desire to push himself into discomfort. It's all connected, as far as I'm concerned. The fact that he can hop on a plane specifically to rip out a 24-mile lakeside run on a hot summer day tells me a lot about how he's wired and how he approaches life. The way he navigates relationships, work, business, ministry, parenting......it's all connected.

One of the fun pics Dan sent me during his 24-mile journey.

If it's true that it's all connected, then it feels like everything is a chain reaction to everything else. I feel this about my recent health journey. First was the intermittent fasting, then the intentional walking, then the shift in what I eat, then the daily biometric scale, and then lastly, the Garmin watch that monitors my vitals 24 hours per day. Each one led to the next, and most of them wouldn't have happened without the prior. It's all connected. Where this has led me is a far more intentional life. What I put in my body, how I move my body, the disciplines I practice daily, how I structure my work, and the consequences of my actions. This also spills over into my parenting and relationships.

While I'm bummed I didn't get to ride with Dan yesterday, I love that he was able to fly in earlier to run 24 hot miles. It will no doubt lead to some other great things for him, as it's all connected.

As you navigate your life today, I hope you can see how it's all connected. Everything is tied to everything else. That can be a very, very good thing, or a very, very bad thing. Make it the best of things! Have an awesome day.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Normalize Winning

One of my favorite parts of my work is walking alongside small businesses, helping them unlock new gears they never knew existed. For example, this week I'm meeting with a business coaching client who has far surpassed every goal he ever set for his business. Whether it's revenue, client roster, gross margins, impact, or net income, he has exceeded every benchmark that he previously used to define "winning."

It's not that he originally doubted himself, but rather, he never thought to dream this big. He never actually gave himself permission to win like this. His original plan was to simply provide enough income to support his family and save for the future. It never dawned on him that he could create something this impressive. It never occurred to him that he possessed the ability to build something so cool.

But here we are! Every time we walk through his numbers, his eyes get big and his smile even bigger. He's dumbfounded by where this is going, but he's embracing it every step of the way. The biggest shift that allowed this to happen is that he normalized winning. He stopped being bashful and feeling guilty about his newfound success, and is instead focused on practicing excellence and serving people well. The rest takes care of itself.

Another consequence of shifting our perspective and dreaming bigger is the decision-making shift it requires of us. If our goals are small, we’ll make decisions that will unlock these small goals. However, when our goals are large, it requires a different set of decisions to unlock it. Will we achieve these wild goals? Maybe or maybe not. However, there’s a high likelihood that even if we fail to meet the goal, we’ll end up in a far better spot than had we set expectations lower.

While this may seem like a "duh" idea, I sincerely believe it's one of the key drivers for people who are trying to build something (whether a business, career, or ministry). Normalize winning, whatever that looks like for you. Whatever you think the ceiling is, double it.....triple it.....quadruple it. It's okay to shoot high and work toward a yet-to-be-defined target.

More than anything, though, be sure to approach it with meaning, purpose, and a desire to make an impact. When you do, it makes the journey all that much more fulfilling. If you find meaning in the day-to-day process, regardless of the outcome, you've already won.

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Idle Hands

With one day left in the month, Northern Vessel has already shattered most of its all-time single-month records. By all accounts, everything continues to trend in a shockingly positive direction. A week doesn't go by without a business, investor, or property requesting us to open a new location.

Speaking of new locations, it's the elephant we hear nearly every single day:

"When are you going to open a new location?"

"When are you going to expand?"

"Where will the next shop be?"

"Why don't you open another spot?"

"You'd make so much more money if you would just grow!"

Yes, it's the elephant in the room. You know what they say about idle hands, though. This is the moment most business owners would get big eyes, grow complacent with their current operation, and decide to start multiplying. Having worked with countless businesses, I think this approach is often a huge mistake.

Multiplication sounds simple and effective. Just do the same thing again, and make twice as much money. However, there are deep implications to such an approach. It increases risk while spreading thin our time, attention, energy, leadership, team, and resources. It's nearly impossible to retain the same level of excellence by multiplying. Few can do it well, but most crash and burn.

Our strategy is completely different. Instead of letting our idle hands lead us down the road of multiplication, we're going to double down and triple down on excellence. Whatever we're doing, we need to be better. Better hospitality, better drinks, better experience, better atmosphere, better process.

Here's where I think businesses and people make a critical mistake. Every time we hit our peak, we think it's our peak peak. The truth is that it's not our peak peak, but rather our next peak. We have so much more in us!

Here's how this has played out at Northern Vessel. As we round out our shop's third year, we've noticed a trend. This year's floor was the prior year's ceiling. Our prior best becomes the new worst. Every time we think we've hit our peak, it turns out to be the new floor. The bar gets raised, then we endeavor to meet it again. It's a self-perpetuating cycle. That's the real secret behind sustained growth. The relentless pursuit of excellence!

This applies to all of us, whether an individual or a business. If we're not careful, our idle hands lead us down some awfully self-destructive roads. Instead of trying to find easy or artificial ways to grow, sometimes we just need to be more excellent. Excellence is the gateway to the next level.....and then the next. Wherever you are in the journey, just know that your current peak will soon be your new floor. Keep raising the bar!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Because Of, Not In Spite Of

I spent the last two days in rural Nebraska working for a new business consulting client. The trip came together on 36 hours' notice, which required me to rearrange my entire schedule and convert in-person meetings to virtual (big shout-out to everyone who showed me grace!). It was one of the most challenging weeks of my career. I’m exhausted, overwhelmed, and a bit stressed.

Sometimes, we look at these types of situations and tell ourselves that life is good in spite of these twists and turns. I don't think that's a fair way to perceive it. Instead, I think life is good because of these twists and turns. 

As I reflect on all the insane situations I've found myself in this past year, I don't think 15-years-ago Travis would have been able to wrap his head around it. Frankly, I don't think that version of me would have been down for it. After all, our human nature is to hold on to the familiarity of the known (comfort) and reject the unknown (perceived risk). 

If I could go back in time and have two minutes to share something with former me, it's this: Embrace the journey. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. The twists and the turns are what enhance the meaning. 

As I head back home this morning, I'm full of gratitude, fresh insights, unique challenges, fun experiences, and hopefully some new relationships. 

Cheers to another day/week/month/year of twists and turns. Run to them, not away from them. Have an awesomeweekend!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.

Always the Long-Term

I still can't over how my convertible survived my stupidity and the flash flood I subjected it to. Two days removed from floodgate, everything seems to be working. The stereo, speakers, automatic seats, dashboard controls.....everything! Unbelievable! Not only that, but the car is 19 years old. So today, a huge shout-out to the engineers at Nissan who created something nearly two decades ago that could withstand all that life would throw at it. I think it's truly remarkable!

It makes me think about a concept TJ and I discuss often as we build Northern Vessel. Whenever a decision needs to be made, we filter it through the lens of the following question: Which option is better for the firm 10 years from now? It's always about the long-term for us. That may not always sound fun, but in my experience, it ALWAYS yields the best outcomes. However, in order for that principle to carry forward, we must be willing to accept delayed gratification.

Here's one example where we didn't follow this principle. In December 2023, we thought it would be fun (and financially advantageous) to run a crazy gift card special for the Christmas season. For a 15-day window, we ran a buy-one-get-one special on $20 gift cards. For every $20 gift card purchased, customers would receive a $20 gift card for free. We had some strategic reasons for pulling the trigger on such an insane idea. One of the reasons was to boost cashflow for some upcoming projects. In just 15 days, we sold nearly $30,000 of gift cards......and gave away another $30,000 of gift cards.

While that cashflow influx (and the other ancillary benefits of getting thousands of NV gift cards in stockings and under trees) was nice, it was a decision that benefited us more in the short term than the long term. Fast forward 19 months, and we're just now starting to run on a net positive monthly gift card variance. When we made that decision, we failed to consider which decision would be better in the long term.

I'd like to think those Nissan engineers who spent lots of time, energy, and money designing and building a car that would thrive in the long term. Sure, they could have cut corners and boosted gross margins by producing a slightly cheaper vehicle, but they chose the long-term. As a customer, I'm so grateful for that. Today, I tip my cap to those engineers from 20+ years ago who considered the long term and saved my bacon two decades later.

It's so hard to view life through this lens. After all, the sexier and more enjoyable decision is almost always the one that benefits us more in the short term. Signing up for car payments vs. investing monthly. That Chipotle burrito vs. paying down debt. Focusing on our core products vs. grabbing whatever income streams we can find. Obsessing about excellence vs. trying to drum up more customers. Hitting the fast-food drive-thru vs. making a healthy meal at home. Taking a high-paying job we don't care about vs. a lower-paying job we might love.

If we were wise, every decision would be framed through the lens of what benefits us more 10 years from now. We might not like the answer (today), but our future selves will thank us soon enough!

____

Did someone forward you this post? We're glad you're here! If you'd like to subscribe to The Daily Meaning to receive these posts directly in your inbox (for free!), just CLICK THIS LINK. It only takes 10 seconds.