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 3/1/25 Travis Shelton 3/1/25

Too Too Much of a Good Thing

Yesterday was a very harsh reminder that too much of a good thing is never a good thing. The sun was amazing, but seven hours of constant sunlight while hanging right next to the Equator is not a good thing. I got punished for my overzealousness.

Travis Shelton 2/28/25 Travis Shelton 2/28/25

Trigger. Trigger. What Is the Trigger?

One of my favorite conversations with young people (under 25 years old) is asking them what they want to do when they're adults, and why. I say under 25 because that's typically when people start allowing their dreams to die.

Travis Shelton 2/27/25 Travis Shelton 2/27/25

When In Honduras

Have you ever played with a sloth? I haven't even seen a sloth in real life. Do they even exist? Are they really that slow? Are they as cute as I picture them? There was only one way to find out. When in Honduras, as they say.

Travis Shelton 2/26/25 Travis Shelton 2/26/25

A Pretty Pathetic Life

As you can imagine, that sort of idea can set this world ablaze. I received a storm of backlash from that Tweet, ranging from text messages, to DMs, to in-person disagreements. However, my favorite response to date is this: "You must have a pretty pathetic life to prefer working."

Travis Shelton 2/25/25 Travis Shelton 2/25/25

This Could All Be Yours, For Only…..

As I explained to my confused friend, a large house purchase isn't a sign of wealth, but rather a sign of a high cost of living.

Travis Shelton 2/24/25 Travis Shelton 2/24/25

The Power of Uncomfortable Memories

Some memories are easy to say "yes" to. They are appealing, instantly satisfying no-brainers. They ooze with awesomeness, and we can't wait to reach for them. Then, there are the others.

Travis Shelton 2/23/25 Travis Shelton 2/23/25

Ripping Off the Facade

Running a business is a lot like parenting: While it seems like everyone is an expert, we’re all just winging it. It seems daunting and overwhelming because, well, it is.

Travis Shelton 2/22/25 Travis Shelton 2/22/25

It’s Not the Job That Sucks

As a reminder, 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs. Pretty sad, eh? 7 out of 10 people are living somewhere between mere tolerance and absolute misery. I've talked about this countless times before, but today, I will take a different approach. Here's my hot take of the week: It's not your job that sucks.

Travis Shelton 2/21/25 Travis Shelton 2/21/25

Adopting the Box

A few days later, while talking about the experience, Finn asked a peculiar question. "Can that be our box?" "What do you mean, Finn?" asked his confused Mom.

Travis Shelton 2/20/25 Travis Shelton 2/20/25

Oh, I Have Landmines!

That single decision set the table for what would eventually be dozens of terrible decisions....more landmines. After all, stepping on one landmine makes us more susceptible to stepping on another.

Travis Shelton 2/19/25 Travis Shelton 2/19/25

Stepping On Landmines

Every story about financial pain, struggle, or failure starts with a singular moment where the person made a mistake or experienced a misfortune.

Travis Shelton 2/18/25 Travis Shelton 2/18/25

A Big Truck and a Strong Back

These are the two ingredients necessary for true generosity: sacrifice and joy. It's NEVER about how much you have to give, but your willingness to sacrificially and joyfully give from whatever you have. That's it. It's that simple.

Travis Shelton 2/17/25 Travis Shelton 2/17/25

The Microeconomics of Childhood

Now, I'm pretty sure their kids are humans......highly likely! If so, their kids DO have wants, and if that's true, they ARE interested in money (or at least what money can provide). It's not a want problem; it's a microeconomics problem. It's simple supply and demand. We'll call it the microeconomics of childhood.

Travis Shelton 2/16/25 Travis Shelton 2/16/25

Respect the Blessing

However, while we shouldn't obsess over our material possessions, we are called to be good stewards. We have a responsibility to respect what we've been blessed with.

Travis Shelton 2/15/25 Travis Shelton 2/15/25

When the Legs Go Numb

I don’t believe in allowances. From a behavioral science perspective, allowances teach kids they are entitled to something. That’s not how the world works, though. Earning money requires work. Hard work. Sometimes undesirable work.

Travis Shelton 2/14/25 Travis Shelton 2/14/25

Here

It's been nearly two days since we watched it, and I can't get it out of my head. At its core, the movie is a reflection on so many of the ideas shared in this blog.

Travis Shelton 2/13/25 Travis Shelton 2/13/25

It’s Who We Are

We can all gripe about how selfish people are today, making some definitive statement about how the world is continually worsening. Examples are all around us, and it takes very little effort to spot and call out greediness. In fact, if you're looking for it, you'll find 100+ examples today alone.

Travis Shelton 2/12/25 Travis Shelton 2/12/25

Would You Take Their Advice?

Boom! Just like that, this young woman disarmed all my insecurity. She was right. If I wouldn't take advice from the people levying all that criticism on me, why should I care about their negative comments? That paradigm shift has changed everything for me!

Travis Shelton 2/11/25 Travis Shelton 2/11/25

Snowballing Behaviors

There's another phenomenon at play here, too. Behaviors often snowball. When we change one behavior, others typically follow.

Travis Shelton 2/10/25 Travis Shelton 2/10/25

Lessons From the Barkley Saga

"You're hurting yourself." "That isn't market." "There's no need to do that." I never take offense to these comments; I get it! What we do can largely be considered stupid and/or irresponsible. But ultimately, I believe that if you treat people like owners, they will behave like owners—culture matters.

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!"