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 11/1/24 Travis Shelton 11/1/24

None of Us Really Know What We're Doing

I hadn't actually thought about that until it escaped my mouth, but it's so true! Business owners know nothing....until they know something.

Travis Shelton 10/31/24 Travis Shelton 10/31/24

Respecting Younger You

There's a lot to be learned from this story. It's a story of entitlement, ownership, personal responsibility, and cause and effect.

Travis Shelton 10/30/24 Travis Shelton 10/30/24

Lessons From a Second-Grader

One particular kid looked anxious. I could tell this was all new to him, and it didn't necessarily come naturally to him. But I could tell he wanted to give it his best effort, which he absolutely did. After practice wrapped up, he approached me: "Coach, what's one thing I did good, and one thing I can work on before next practice?"

Travis Shelton 10/29/24 Travis Shelton 10/29/24

Pull Your Levers Wisely

Years ago, I read something that transformed the way I view restaurants. The author explained that every dining establishment has three possible levers to pull.

Travis Shelton 10/28/24 Travis Shelton 10/28/24

What It’s Really About

A friend recently shared that he occasionally forwards my blog posts to his wife, encouraging her to sign up. But she's not one to care much about reading a daily money blog. Eventually, she relented and signed up, which I'm assuming was so she wouldn't have to listen to him talk about it anymore. My friend's recent feedback: "She likes it because it's not always about money!"

Travis Shelton 10/27/24 Travis Shelton 10/27/24

Author Unknown

"Accepting generosity, accepting appreciation, and accepting recognition are all related. As difficult as it can be to accept them, rejecting them can be a symptom of false humility and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes - "Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying." St. Vincent de Paul. Accept generosity, appreciation, and recognition when they're true and pure."

Travis Shelton 10/26/24 Travis Shelton 10/26/24

First, Do It Poorly

Here's a concept that applies to all areas of life: First, we must do it poorly. Then, we get to do it ok. Later, we get to become good. Eventually, we have the opportunity to be great. But it all starts with our willingness to be terrible.

Travis Shelton 10/25/24 Travis Shelton 10/25/24

You’ll Still Be You

Have you heard there's an election coming up? Surprise, surprise, I know! I don't have a magic eight-ball to predict the winner, but I do know one thing for sure: 45% of this country will be elated, and 45% will be devastated. One group optimistic about our future, and another terrified. One faction will celebrate wildly and rub it in the other side's faces, while the other faction will cry foul.

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

Always Be Unreasonable

Regardless of your vocation or industry, whether an employee or an owner, unreasonable hospitality is always the right approach. Generosity always wins.

Travis Shelton 10/23/24 Travis Shelton 10/23/24

Opening Eyes, Escaping Traps

On the heels of yesterday's post, I received some expected pushback. Specifically, I was accused of exaggerating the monthly car payment this couple would need if they decided to buy a new car. The exact words were, "A $580 car payment seems over the top. That doesn't even seem like a realistic number. Car payments aren't that high."

Travis Shelton 10/22/24 Travis Shelton 10/22/24

They Ate the Elephant

Don't fall for the trap. There are better ways to live out our finances. Harder ways, but better ways. Patience. Delayed gratification. Humility. This young couple is so glad they took the path less traveled. They are living for meaning first, and it's a joy to watch. You deserve the same!

Travis Shelton 10/21/24 Travis Shelton 10/21/24

Parsing Needs Wisely

I was chatting with a friend about the upcoming football game, which was supposed to be a blackout (all-black uniforms and fans also wearing black). Amidst our conversation, my friend lamented, "Ugh, we need to buy black ISU gear for the game. That's gonna cost at least a few hundred dollars."

Travis Shelton 10/20/24 Travis Shelton 10/20/24

Sear It In

Amidst the pandamonium, I leaned over to TJ and suggested that this might be Finn and Pax's first seared-in sports moment. A moment they might someday tell their own kids about. The type of moment that will ultimately get stored away in their core memories.

Travis Shelton 10/19/24 Travis Shelton 10/19/24

Exposing the Secrets

As I was chatting with a friend yesterday, I noticed, in real-time, that the stock market hit a new all-time 155-year high (since 1870). Curious, my friend asked me a few questions.

Travis Shelton 10/18/24 Travis Shelton 10/18/24

What if It Were Life or Death?

Many people struggle to save. There are many contributing factors to this type of wiring, spanning from nature to nurture.

Travis Shelton 10/17/24 Travis Shelton 10/17/24

The Awakening

Ultimately, upon reflecting on his own life and the decisions he made, here's where he landed: "I got everything I ever thought I wanted, then realized it's all crap."

Travis Shelton 10/16/24 Travis Shelton 10/16/24

Beware the Shadow Side

After discussing the mechanics of how it would work and whether it could be a viable option for them, he asked the question I was dying to answer: "What's the shadow side of using a HELOC?" He knows me well, and he knows I'm constantly thinking about the behavioral science of things. In short, there are three psychological traps to using a HELOC.

Travis Shelton 10/15/24 Travis Shelton 10/15/24

Owning Non-Excellence

Then mere hours later, I performed a masterclass in non-excellence by letting three separate people down: a client, a blog reader, and a fellow board member. Three whiffs, three embarrassments, three regrets. Several factors played into my mistakes, including my new agonizing back injury and technical issues. However, while it would be easy for me to make excuses for these mistakes, there was one common theme in each of them: Me!

Travis Shelton 10/14/24 Travis Shelton 10/14/24

The Bar Has Never Been Lower

I dealt with many businesses during my Minneapolis trip this weekend. Retailers, restaurants, hotels, and venues. The majority. Poor quality. Inconsistent, Terrible service. Practically no hospitality. I repeatedly watched businesses treat people like dirt and sell them inferior products. The bar has never been lower.

Travis Shelton 10/13/24 Travis Shelton 10/13/24

The Daily Meaning

Not already a subscriber? Get the blog delivered right to your inbox.

“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!"