Accountability, But With Grace

A few days ago, I shared my It's Gotta Come From Somewhere principle. When we screw up our budget (when, not if), we can't give yourselves a free pass, nor can we take the path of least resistance by robbing our savings, throwing it on a credit card, or melting away our cushion. Instead, once we blow our budget, our immediate mission is to reallocate cash from a different category to fill the gap.

One nuance I don't think I delivered properly was the importance of giving ourselves grace in the process. Don't beat yourself up. Don't linger on the failure for days, weeks, or months. Don't let it define you. Don't get into constant fights about it with your spouse. Forgive yourselves (and each other!) and move on.

It doesn't have to be one or another. We don't have to choose between dealing with the consequences OR giving ourselves grace. Instead, we should deal with the consequences of our mistakes WHILE giving ourselves grace. Grace does not mean the absence of consequences and accountability, just as the presence of consequences and accountability does not mean the absence of grace.

I work with couples who still can't get over $1,000 mistakes they made nine years ago. Nearly a decade later, they still beat themselves and each other up over it. They've long ago dealt with the consequences of their mistakes, but haven't found a way to offer grace yet.

I'll say something profoundly obvious and simple: We can't live a truly meaningful life if we're dwelling on past financial mistakes. Let's say you made a $1,000 screw-up 12 months ago, and you've been carrying it with you. What you're essentially telling yourself is that your happiness and fulfillment are worth a mere $1,000. I don't think that's true, and you probably don't, either, but your attitude toward the mistake says otherwise.

Here's my challenge for you today. Think about your past financial mistakes, regrets, and screw-ups. Think about each one of them. Which ones weigh on your conscience? Which ones linger within you? Please find a way to give yourself grace and move on. You can't undo what's happened in the past, but you can CHOOSE to stop letting it impair your present.

Accountability, yes. Consequences, yet. But always grace, too.

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Thanks For the Pain!

Some days I have to find my writing inspiration, and some days my writing inspiration finds me. Today is an example of the latter. As I was casually scrolling my social media feeds yesterday, I stumbled upon a post by my friend Teresa. She owns a successful business and continues to grow more excellent each day. Here's an excerpt from her post:

"I'd like to once again take a second to thank my previous employer for laying me off. Every knockdown is just an opportunity to come back even stronger."

Her story is wild, and similar to many epic stories of success, it involves profound pain. It would be so easy for her to wish away all the junk that's happened to her, but at the same time, that same junk is what set the table for what has become a beautiful story.

Had she not experienced the pain, uncertainty, and stress of a layoff (with a baby at home, mind you), I'm not sure she would have developed the vision and courage to launch the business she's now blessed with. Comfort might have lulled her into complacency. "Good enough" could have been the motto of her prime years. She might have conceded that mild misery is an acceptable way to traverse this thing called life.

Instead, though, pain met her head-on! The pain knocked her down, forcing her to take a hard look in the mirror; a glimpse in the mirror she might have avoided if things were merely "good enough."

I can relate to Teresa's experience so much, and I have a feeling many of you can, too. One of the worst experiences of my life was being 3.5 years into my dream career and learning that my company was being shut down. I had also been engaged to my wife for just three days (yeah, that was fun). I had my comfortable life all planned out when I woke up that morning, but by the time I went to bed, I was hurt and scared.

Fast forward 17 years, and I can now confidently say that the most profoundly painful experience in my life was the beginning of the most beautiful journey. NONE of what I have today would be without me having gone through the pain, suffering, and uncertainties brought on by that debacle.

Thanks for the pain! Cheers, Teresa! From one hurt friend to another, I'm so glad you're a living, breathing example of what it looks like to use one's pain for good. People are watching. People are noticing. People will continue to be impacted by your example. Keep pursuing excellence!

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When the Stingrays Eat Your Fist

We had a great time adventuring around Chicago yesterday. One of the highlights of the day was spending time at Shedd's Aquarium, one of the best aquariums in the country. I remember going there as a kid, and it lived up to the hype that lives in my head. The kids had a blast, and we saw some pretty remarkable things.

One of my personal highlights was watching the boys feed stingrays. If you've never fed a stingray, it's an intimidating task. You take half of a small dead fish (such as a sardine) and close your fist around it, with a good portion of the fish protruding above your fist. Then, you dunk your fist as far under water as possible so the stingray can swim over the fish. Lastly, the stingray opens its mouth as it swims over, snagging the dead fish out of your closed fist.

On the first pass, one of the stingrays practically swallowed Pax's entire fist while trying to grab the fish out of it. Pax looked in shock, but he quickly gained the confidence to try again. Finn was the same way. What started as a scary endeavor quickly morphed into a fun adventure.

I love manufacturing scary situations, both for myself and for my kids. Not fear for fear's sake, but rather, the opportunity to push ourselves past what we thought was possible.

I'm heading back into the Boundary Waters wilderness next week, ready to again face my fears. This will be my 7th or 8th trip there, and I can't say it ever gets easy. It will be cold, wet, physically challenging, uncomfortable, and mentally draining. I'm dreading it. However, at the same time, I also crave it. I need my system to be shocked. I need to face discomfort in the most direct of ways.

Some of the best growth of my life has happened in the Boundary Waters. It's where I discovered true contentment. It's where I realized life isn't meant to be lived in comfort. It's where I found out there's far more in me than I ever knew.

So when I watched my kids struggle to feed those stingrays, all I could do was smile. They were fighting their own battles, facing their own fears. Ultimately, they prevailed and learned some valuable lessons. I hope to do the same thing next week when I face my fears in the wilderness.

That's my challenge for you today as well. Find ways to get uncomfortable, face fears, push yourself in ways you never knew existed. Every time we force ourselves to do scary things, we become the type of person who does scary things. It might start simple, like feeding a stingray or sleeping in 25-degree weather with no tent, but it can quickly morph into the way we approach the bigger things in life: our career, finances, relationships, and parenting.

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Easier to Just Stay At Home

In just a few hours, I'll be the keynote speaker at an event I've wanted to speak at for several years. Hundreds of the most influential Christian business leaders in our state will be in attendance. I'm really, really, really excited.......

.......and I'm really, really, really nervous. It would be easier to just stay at home. I've been planning this talk in my head for months and preparing for it for weeks. I'm going to share some challenging ideas and encourage some radical shifts when it comes to the pursuit of excellence.

Can I just be frank and tell you I'm terrified? Yeah, it would definitely be easier just to stay at home. If I were to stay home today, there's zero chance I could fall flat on my face and face a giant embarrassment. On the flip side, staying home also ensures I don't make a difference. Staying home would be me turning in my permission slip to help people. Staying home would all but guarantee I don't fulfill my purpose today.

It sure would be easier to stay at home, though!

Whatever you're called to do today, this week, or this month, don't just stay at home. Put yourself out there. Face your fears. Risk failure. Take a swing and see how the chips fall. You might just impact some lives along the way!

As for me, I hope to rejoin you tomorrow morning with less stress, more composure, and a lack of stories about failure and embarrassment. Have a great day, all!

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Noisy But Quiet

I returned home on Friday night from the Nebraska cattle ranch I've been working with. My first order of business yesterday was to spend some time at Northern Vessel. The weather was perfect and the sun was shining.

However, I noticed something the moment I walked into the shop. Despite the place being absolutely packed (which is normal), the energy was off. Hundreds of people flowed in and out of the shop, but at the same time, it felt empty. As one of our baristas put it, "noisy but quiet."

People were still spending time with loved ones. People were still enjoying their free day. People were still consuming tasty beverages. But something was off. You could cut the tension with a knife. Perhaps it was just me? I chatted with a dozen different people, each saying the same thing. Everywhere they've been has felt similar: noisy but quiet.

Maybe that phrase not only applies to rooms, but to people as well. Noisy but quiet. That's how I'm feeling. I have lots going on right now. I am serving countless people. I'm leading businesses. I'm trying to make solid decisions. I'm preparing for speeches. I'm creating content. It's noisy. However, it's quiet. Inside me, it feels quiet. The energy is off. I can cut the tension inside my soul with a knife.

We ALL go through times like these. Different events, seasons, and situations can trigger it for each of us. We might feel perfectly well one moment, and just like that, life feels different the next.

I don't claim to be an expert on this topic, but I'll share the little wisdom I possess today. During times like these, we need to keep moving forward -- step by step, one foot in front of the other. The only other option is to cower and whither away, and nobody wins when we select that option. Therefore, I'll just take one step today. I hope you do the same.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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