The Daily Meaning

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Career, Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Science Travis Shelton Career, Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Science Travis Shelton

Choosing the Wrong Anchors

Let's say you have a full-time job but are simultaneously working to transition to your dream job, your calling. You aspire to eventually transition full-time into the new gig. However, the elephant in the room is when. Every ounce of you wants to do the new thing, but the bulk of your time is invested in the old thing (which you don't particularly care about). How do you know when to flip the switch?

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Investing Travis Shelton Investing Travis Shelton

I’m Sorry, Dead Horsey

34.4%. That's what my investment account received in the last 12 months (12/1/2023-11/30/2024). My friend couldn't believe this. "How the #$!@ did you get that??!?"

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Behavioral Science, Meaning Travis Shelton Behavioral Science, Meaning Travis Shelton

It's Still the Same You

In an instant, everything changed. Yet, at the same time, nothing changed at all. During a recent conversation, he interestingly said, "I thought my life would magically change, but I'm still the same me." He seemed disappointed by that revelation. Money has a funny way of not impacting us like that.

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Generosity Travis Shelton Generosity Travis Shelton

I Stole Her Generosity

I recently stole her generosity, though. It was Thanksgiving Day. We were in a grocery store picking up some ingredients for our big meal. It was Sarah, me, the boys, and our two nieces. As we stood in the checkout lane, Sarah noticed two firefighters standing in front of us. They were in full uniform, with a cart full of food. Sarah leaned over to me, "We should buy theirs to thank them for their service today."

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Careers, Meaning Travis Shelton Careers, Meaning Travis Shelton

Yeah, It's Okay to Hate Your Job, But….

In response, one friend (43 years old) wrote me yesterday; here's what he said: "Is it ok to hate my job? I don't hate it all the time, but I dread it most weeks. However I don't look for meaning in my work. I have a great family, awesome friends, and I enjoy my weekends. I have fun hobbies and I am plenty busy with my kids activites. We take two vacations a year and I'll probably get to retire by 60."

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Careers, Meaning Travis Shelton Careers, Meaning Travis Shelton

Those Little Tells

Once in a while, someone will ask me a simple but profound question about careers. "How do you know if you're in the right job?" It's a weighty question, and there are certainly many factors at play, but there's one thing I always look for: Those little tells.

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Growth Travis Shelton Growth Travis Shelton

Don’t Waste a Good Mistake

Each mistake is an opportunity to learn something about ourselves, the world, and other people. Every screw-up is a chance to find out what doesn't work, inching us ever closer to what does work. It's the iterative process of life.

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Investing Travis Shelton Investing Travis Shelton

The Billion-Dollar Pizza

In May 2010, a man ordered two large Papa John's pizzas for delivery. The total bill was about $40. Instead of using cash, though, he thought it would be fun to pay with this new type of currency....it was called Bitcoin. In exchange for his two pizzas, he sent Papa John's 10,000 Bitcoins. As of last night, those 10,000 Bitcoins were worth about $990 million. Yes, he paid almost a billion dollars for two large Papa John's pizzas.

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Meaning, Relationships Travis Shelton Meaning, Relationships Travis Shelton

Unspeakable Pain

In my coaching work, I get the honor of walking alongside people and sharing their highest of highs......and their lowest of lows. Yesterday was a lowest-of-lows sort of day. My phone rings; it's a client. The moment I picked up, I could tell something was off. The next 15 seconds ripped me apart in ways I could never imagine.

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Career, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Career, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

Throw Deep, Baby

I used to believe in playing life safe. Get an education. Get a "secure" job. Hold onto said job for dear life (even if it sucks). Be financially responsible; be frugal, hoard resources, keep them for myself. Coast through life, pursuing comfort every step of the way.

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Generosity Travis Shelton Generosity Travis Shelton

Listening to Those Nudges

I shouted that I had a tip for him. He turned back toward me. "Oh, thank you much," as he re-approached me. I handed him the cash. "Are you serious? You have no idea! I don't even know........thank you, thank you!"

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