The Daily Meaning

Take your mornings to the next level with a daily dose of perspective and encouragement to start your day off right. Sign-up for a free, short-form blog delivered to your inbox each morning, 7 days per week. Some days we talk about money, but usually not. We believe you’ll take away something valuable to help you on your journey. Sign up to join the hundreds of people who read Travis’s blog each morning.

“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”
"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"

Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 9/16/24 Travis Shelton 9/16/24

Scare Yourself Today

Travis Shelton 9/15/24 Travis Shelton 9/15/24

Get On the Stage

In the traditional model, you would practice, practice, and practice, hoping to eventually be good enough to perform on stage. Conversely, in this model, the stage performance is the practice.

Travis Shelton 9/14/24 Travis Shelton 9/14/24

When NOT to Push the Button

Travis Shelton 9/13/24 Travis Shelton 9/13/24

To Press or Not to Press (the Button)

They aren't alone in this sentiment; it's all too common! The perceived sense of security always emotionally outweighs the benefit of actual relief.

Travis Shelton 9/12/24 Travis Shelton 9/12/24

This May Only Make Half Sense

Travis Shelton 9/11/24 Travis Shelton 9/11/24

Closing the Loop

This is where so many of us whiff. Whether it's ourselves or in our parenting, we don't close loops with finances. We take shortcuts, stop short of fully completing goals, and inadvertently rob ourselves (and our kids) of the tangibility.

Travis Shelton 9/10/24 Travis Shelton 9/10/24

More Expensive, But Cheaper

My friend Ryan swears by Helm Boots. Whenever he talks about them, or I see him wearing them, I want to buy a pair.....until I see the $300 price tag. Ouch!

Travis Shelton 9/9/24 Travis Shelton 9/9/24

Heartbreak. Joy. Impact.

What makes you angry? What breaks your heart? What makes you sad? What puts a knot in your stomach? What gets you fired up?These are some of the questions I ask people when they are interested in giving, but don't know where to start.

Travis Shelton 9/8/24 Travis Shelton 9/8/24

A Different Kind of Structure

While I'll die on the hill of getting our financial structure in order, I have a similar feeling about our geographical and logistical structure of life. To me, no amount of money can compensate for having a life structure that entails endless commutes and 24/7 to-and-froms.

Travis Shelton 9/7/24 Travis Shelton 9/7/24

She Completely Blanked

I ran into a former client at a coffee shop recently. I haven't seen her or her husband in upwards of three years. As we exchanged pleasantries, she exclaimed, "We did it!!!" To be honest, I had no idea what she was talking about.....so I asked for clarification. "The trip!!!" Ah, yes, the trip! I knew exactly what she was talking about!

Travis Shelton 9/6/24 Travis Shelton 9/6/24

It’s Hard to Overcome Our Structure

Unfortunately, it's hard to overcome our structure. This family had created a really expensivefinancial structure for their household. Based on THEIR choices, more than 70% of their income was already spoken for before it hits their bank account. No amount of trimming or cutbacks can help this family remedy what ails them.

Travis Shelton 9/5/24 Travis Shelton 9/5/24

The Destinationless Journey

Nobody said, "Wow, I'm just really looking forward to packing it in and riding off into the sunset." It was quite the opposite, actually. It was about finding new ways of making an impact, investing in their families, volunteering, and pursuing new types of work. Meaning, meaning, meaning, and meaning.

Travis Shelton 9/4/24 Travis Shelton 9/4/24

A December to Remember

It has everything! Financial self-sabotage, unilateral decisions, financial illiteracy, status-seeking behaviors, out-of-whack priorities, marital strife, buyer's remorse, and a hint of adultery.

Travis Shelton 9/3/24 Travis Shelton 9/3/24

Quality is Quality

By nearly every measure, we have a higher standard of living today than at any time in the history of our civilized world. More people have access to medical care, internet, cars, cell phones, internet, air conditioning, and indoor heating than ever. Houses are bigger, transportation more prominent, technology progressively better and cheaper. Our standard of living continues to skyrocket.

Travis Shelton 9/2/24 Travis Shelton 9/2/24

Resetting the Reset

So today, I want to share some real-world examples of how clients are creating resets in their own journey. My hope is that one of these stories will resonate with you, and perhaps trigger your creativity.

Travis Shelton 9/1/24 Travis Shelton 9/1/24

Sometimes, We Need a Reset

Travis Shelton 8/31/24 Travis Shelton 8/31/24

A Silent Echo

That's the thing about generosity; it's a silent echo. Whether we see it or not, its impact reverberates through people's lives long after it occurs.

Travis Shelton 8/30/24 Travis Shelton 8/30/24

You Don’t Have to Justify Fun

She doesn't need to justify fun, and neither do you! Do you ever find yourself trying to justify a purchase you "don't need?" We play this little mind game with ourselves constantly. At the heart of this toxic practice is guilt. Deeply ingrained, culturally driven, self-deprecating guilt. Therefore, we play mental gymnastics with ourselves in order to remove or lessen the guilt.

Travis Shelton 8/29/24 Travis Shelton 8/29/24

Uncle Joe Wants to Know the Alternative

That brings us to our quandary. If it's possibly true that people prematurely passing away is, in part, caused by a loss of meaning upon retirement, we're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Travis Shelton 8/28/24 Travis Shelton 8/28/24

Racing Toward (Untimely) Death?

Everyone has an "Uncle Joe" in their life. Uncle Joe worked his entire adult life. Eventually, Joe was finally able to retire so he could "actually enjoy life." Then, 12 months later, he died.

The Daily Meaning

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“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”

"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"