“Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” Robin Sharma

By the end of a whirlwind year, it’s easy to lose track of where the last 365 days went. Most of us are so busy running to the next meeting or dealing with the next crisis that we rarely stop to ask, Am I living a life I truly want? 

Mortgage Rates Spike as Debt Costs Soar: Is the Fed Losing Control?

This is Fed week, and it comes with high stakes as inflation, labor market data, and soaring government debt costs dominate the headlines. Here's what you need to know about the shifting economic landscape and what it means for the Federal Reserve's next moves.

It’s been four years since I first started writing these weekly reflections. What began during a challenging time—a way to uplift and connect with my leadership team through the uncertainty of the pandemic—has grown into something bigger.

This is a critical week for the labor market, marking the last batch of data before the Federal Reserve’s pivotal December 18th meeting. Here’s what you need to know about the economic backdrop, inflation pressures, and fresh optimism last week in the bond market creating a slight drop in interest rates.

What if you had a personal intern working 24/7—no sleep, no vacations, and free? Well, that’s exactly what AI is!

During our recent business reviews, I noticed AI was the go-to solution for many—but surprisingly, some hadn’t even tried it. There are so many use cases for ChatGpt. If you’re not using it, you are missing out on a tool that simplifies tasks, sparks ideas, and boosts productivity.

Thanksgiving Hack: More Pie less Family Conflict

Headed to see your family this week? I learned a new hack to help leaders communicate better with their teams.  But I think it works even better with family especially around the holidays.  This hack helps to keep the peace and your sanity for those intense holiday dinners.

The financial markets are grappling with a whirlwind of indicators suggesting trouble ahead, even as the Fed attempts to guide the economy to a soft landing. Powell Confirmed last week they are in “no hurry to cut rates”. This seems contrary to their recent behavior but in line with recent data releases. His comments give us insight to what he will do in December.

I set three goals for the last 90-day challenge: be more fit (burn more calories than I consume), launch a new brand, and double our production. I tied daily actions to my goals. I work to be physically active every day, I log my activities and food consumption daily, and I carve out 3 hours a day to focus on brand development and business development.

No one is self-made.
“There is no such thing as a self-made man.”  - George Adams

Everything you possess, every accomplishment you claim, is the result of countless contributions from others. What a beautiful and humbling realization.

“Priority” should ideally only be used as a singular word. The moment you have many priorities, you actually have none.” - Frank Slootman (CEO of Snowflake)

Can you believe it? We’ve got less than 66 days left in the year! That’s 66 opportunities to make a real impact and end 2024 on a massive high! 66 Days is just enough time to create impact by accomplishing one big priority.

Pushing Past the SUCK: The Power of Internal Drive

When it comes to doing hard things, there’s one thing that separates those who quit from those who push through: internal drive. If you’ve got it, you won’t quit. It’s that simple.

We all face moments that suck—situations that test our limits, make us doubt ourselves, and tempt us to give up. But here’s the truth: if you truly want to succeed, nothing will stop you. If you don’t have that fire inside, anything and everything will.

Have You Ever Experienced a Miracle?

On Friday, we decided to take on a big hike with friends for my birthday.  After the pandemic, many state and national parks started requiring reservations or tickets to hike the more popular trails.

"Start strong, finish stronger." — Robin Sharma

What an incredible day at Crater Lake National Park! We hiked the Garfield Peak Trail—3.5 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain, peaking at 7,800 feet. What a view!!

Fed’s Soft Landing in Sight—But is it a Unicorn in the Wild?

As we head into the year’s final quarter, Investors are signaling optimism for a soft landing—a rare feat achieved just once in the last 43 years (thanks, Greenspan). The markets are currently pricing in an 79% chance of a soft landing.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
– Jim Rohn

I've always struggled with rest. Naps? Not my thing. Sitting still and being idle? Even harder. I've thrived on moving at Mach speed, hair on fire, tackling everything that comes my way. But recently, I’ve learned that sometimes the most productive thing I can do is rest. I’ve realized that I can't serve from an empty cup, and properly filling that cup requires intentional rest.

I came across this note, and it really resonated with me. It reminded me that most of what we face in life is hard, but it’s what you choose and the path you choose that really makes a difference.

For example… Being a top producer is hard. It takes a lot of hours of discipline, sales calls, and dedication. Having no loans is also hard. Your actions choose your hard.

THE JACKSON HOLE Symposium is attended by central banks around the world and generally brings market volatility with them. It’s a great week to be informed on what’s going on in the market since agents and customers will be hearing the media talking about the market even more than usual.

If you watched the gold medal round of Olympic basketball, the last three minutes of the game is probably something you will be hard pressed to forget. Not because the USA team won the gold, and not because USA was so talented that they crushed all their competition (which they did not) But because watching the team’s energy, heart, and hustle was something special.

One of the single greatest things you can do in life is to find your tribe of people. Whether you call it a network, clan, tribe, crew, or family we all need one. We need a group of people that push us, challenge us, inspire us, and accept us. When chosen properly they make us better then when we are alone.