The first quarter of the year is like the opening chapter of a book—it sets the tone for everything that follows. If you’ve been crushing your goals in Q1, you’re on the right path. But if you’ve felt stuck, scattered, or behind, now’s the time to course-correct before the momentum of inaction takes over.

Some of our greatest strengths can also be our biggest challenges. For me, I’ve always been deeply motivated by the fear of “running out” or “not having enough”. In many ways, it’s been a huge gift in my life.

I have a friend that is really struggling with a difficult challenge in their life.  It is hard for them to see past it and it’s really dragging them down.  I saw this quote and it really resonated with me for their situation. Its all in how we see our current situation. 

Our lives are filled with battles—battles that cause pain, create confusion, and are caused by the enemy.

Our body responds to these attacks and battles the same way as if we were at war. When someone close to us dies, when we feel rejected, or even when we face relational challenges or financial concerns, our body triggers the same response. 

We all see the world and situations through our own unique lens, shaped by our experiences, emotions, and beliefs. We often view our own behavior more favorably, giving ourselves the benefit of the doubt. We excuse our missteps, rationalizing them with good intentions—yet we judge others’ actions more harshly, filtering them through bias and assumption.

Did you know that the second Friday in January is called National Quitters Day? It’s earned that name because, by then, most people have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. The gym memberships stop being used, the self motivation disappears, and the commitments we swore would change our lives fade away to busy days and personal distractions.

As we stand as the edge a new year, I wanted to connect one more thought to help start the year off right. As I mentioned before I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. They usually fizzle out by February because they depend on willpower and motivation.

“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!!