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!"

Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 10/6/24 Travis Shelton 10/6/24

Right Thing, Right Reasons

When I left my prior career and started my coaching business, I promised myself I would always be honest with people. If I could serve them well, I’d tell them. But if I wasn’t the right person for the job, I also needed to share that.

Travis Shelton 10/5/24 Travis Shelton 10/5/24

Ruin vs. Waste

"Most of us aren't at risk of ruining our life. Most of us are at risk of wasting it."

Travis Shelton 10/4/24 Travis Shelton 10/4/24

Looking In the Mirror

Travis Shelton 10/3/24 Travis Shelton 10/3/24

Reflections…..In a Ger

Travis Shelton 10/2/24 Travis Shelton 10/2/24

I Just Wanna Play Football

I often reflect on a particular conversation I had years ago with a bunch of my high school youth group kids. I don't remember the overarching topic of the conversation, but I pulled out a normal-to-me question: "What do you want to do when you're an adult?"

Travis Shelton 10/1/24 Travis Shelton 10/1/24

Yes

We just wrapped up two days of amazing meetings at a rustic lodge about two hours outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. My head is spnning. As I attempt to write today's piece, all I can think about is the word "yes."

Travis Shelton 9/30/24 Travis Shelton 9/30/24

Be the Worst Person In the Room

I intentionally chose a provocative title for today's piece, but it's sincerely how I feel. It's an alternative way to view the old moniker: "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with." These last few days, I've spent time with countless people who have made far more impact, have a much grander vision, and have made much deeper sacrifices in their journeys than I can ever imagine.

Travis Shelton 9/29/24 Travis Shelton 9/29/24

Nobody Wants to Work: 1800s Edition

Question: In your opinion, when was peak music? What decade or period do you believe was the best? I know your answer, and you're right. My answer is probably different than yours, but I'm probably right, too. Let me guess. Your answer probably correlates with your mid-to-late teen years. Am I right?

Travis Shelton 9/28/24 Travis Shelton 9/28/24

Slivers of Light in the Darkness

It's been 24 hours since I wrote yesterday's blog, meaning I should be enjoying the sights and sounds of Mongolia by now. That's not my reality, though. Instead, I'm sitting at the same table in the Chicago airport where I wrote yesterday's piece.

Travis Shelton 9/27/24 Travis Shelton 9/27/24

When In Rome

I love the expression "When in Rome." It encapsulates my perspective of and approach to travel. The moment I depart Chicago, I will set my Midwest American culture, norms, and preferences aside and embrace the culture I'm entering.

Travis Shelton 9/26/24 Travis Shelton 9/26/24

Be Wary of Self-Titled “Experts”

I recently had a conversation that's stuck with me like a never-ending cold. One of my friends showed me her family's recent monthly statement from their financial advisor. This financial advisor works for one of the most respected companies in the industry. That, combined with the fact my friend (and her spouse) don't know a ton about investing, blindly trusted the "expert."

Travis Shelton 9/25/24 Travis Shelton 9/25/24

How to Avoid Failure and Criticism

Guys, lean in. Lean in close. A little further. I'm whisper typing. Do you want to know how to avoid failure and criticism? If so, today is your lucky day. It involves two very simple steps.

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

Growing Into It, Not Out of It

Actually, I do think income and the need for budgeting are correlated......but the opposite of conventional wisdom. The more money someone makes, the greater the need to budget.

Travis Shelton 9/23/24 Travis Shelton 9/23/24

But What Will You Give Up?

One of my friends reached out, wanting my input about a big decision he and his wife are considering. They own a house that roughly fits their needs, but house fever is setting in. In a weak moment, they cracked the door open and started looking at houses. Surprise, surprise.....they found an amazing one!

Travis Shelton 9/22/24 Travis Shelton 9/22/24

Pushing Boundaries

Things are scary....until they aren't.

Things are new.....until they become normal.

We don't know how to do something.....until we've done it.

Travis Shelton 9/21/24 Travis Shelton 9/21/24

Hop Into My DeLorean

Not long ago, I was having lunch with a former youth group kid. He's nearly 30 years old now, diving head-first into life. Career, marriage, ministry, babies....all the good stuff. Amidst that conversation, I uttered the words, "Man, what I would give to go back to being 30!!!!"

Travis Shelton 9/20/24 Travis Shelton 9/20/24

The Competitor In the Mirror

My business partner TJ received a phone call from the Des Moines Register a few days ago. The reporter wanted to know what he thought about Caribou Coffee opening a new location right next door to our Northern Vessel shop. First, that was the first time either of us had heard about Caribou's plans. Second, we did have thoughts!

Travis Shelton 9/19/24 Travis Shelton 9/19/24

You May Only Get One Chance

Most of you probably aren't giving a talk next week, but you are doing something that will provide you with rare access to someone. For 5, 15, 30, or even 60 minutes, you might have a brief but powerful window to move the needle in someone's life.

Travis Shelton 9/18/24 Travis Shelton 9/18/24

I Guess I’ll Go There

Today's post will be a bit different than most. It's a post I never intended to write, but I feel an unshakable nudge to do it. I'm not sure what the impact could or should be, but I pray whatever impact it has, it outweighs the discomfort and possible consequences of writing it. I'm also willfully exceeding my self-imposed 500-word limit, but I hope it's worth it!

Travis Shelton 9/17/24 Travis Shelton 9/17/24

Kicking In the Door

If there's one thing that never ceases to amazing me, it's our human instinct to justify our desires. We'll use just about anything to squint, twist, and sell ourselves into a decision we probably shouldn't make.

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!"