Over the last several months I have really internalized how important spending time with and surrounding yourself with the right people can be to your health and success. It’s truly amazing how much impact the emotions and energy of those around you can have on your life.

After every tragedy or catastrophe, we often ask ourselves… what is important today?

As “high drivers”, we often get fixated and distracted by the shiny and exciting. We are constantly looking for the next thing to excite us, level up our performance, and help us stomp out the competition. But the truth of the matter…

This was shared with me by a friend last week as we were talking about invested time in others. It is a great reminder on how to live our lives and why we do the things we do. Your character is not who you are its all in what you do.

"It is better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both." - Niccolò Machiavelli

Is this true? As a leader or even a parent is it better to be loved or feared? Can you have both?

“Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end” – George Strait

I got a text this week from someone who I consider a friend that really hurt my heart. It wasn’t mean in spirit or even intentional, but it really cut me. The feeling lingered for most of the day and was even there later in the week.

It’s always scariest right before you start. But nothing happens if you don’t move.  Fear is a thief don’t let it rob you before you even begin.

Today we honor and recognize the brave men and women that have given their lives to fight for and protect our way of life, our democracy, and our freedoms. Thank you for protecting us, serving us, and helping us become a stronger and better nation. We recognize that our freedoms are not free and for that we honor their sacrifice.

This is what showing up looks like for me  ;)

I currently have a focus to improve my agility and fitness and increase my daily step count. And I wasn’t feeling it. It started Friday. We arrived in Bend after a long few days or travel and Manuel asked me what I wanted to do on Saturday. I sluggishly responded, “maybe just hang around the house”.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” — Walter Winchell

I came across this photo this week and it reminded me of the so many beautiful people I have built relationships with over the last 20 years of my career. They bring joy and purpose to everything I do.

They say the hardest belt to achieve in Jujitsu is the white belt, because so few take the very hard but simple act of starting. The second hardest belt to achieve is the black belt because it’s so easy to quit along the way. Consistency is the only way to achieve it. No short cuts no exceptions. Consistency is what separates the mediocre from the exceptional.

First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—Martin Niemöller

Shortly after being claimed #1 wholesale lender in the country and after suing several brokers for violating its “all-in” lender agreement, United Wholesale and its owner have been served a class action lawsuit for violations of the RICO ACT & RESPA.

NAR Commission Lawsuits: As the NAR commission lawsuits continue to pile on around the country, to make matters worse, on Friday, the court of appeals granted the DOJ the ability to reopen its antitrust investigation against NAR.

Have you ever had a moment when someone “pushes” that perfect button? They say the exact thing that pushes your buttons and makes you so mad that you instantly lash back and say or do something you wish you hadn’t.

This letter is dedicated to our dear friend Everette and his wife Donna who unexpectedly lost their young son in an accident this weekend.

“Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.” — Jerzy Gregorek

Greatness isn’t a destination or an achievement, it’s a consistent series of personal hard choices. It’s a daily choice to obsess over improvement and growth in a given area and constantly sacrificing comfort today in exchange for what you want most in the future.

The recent NAR settlement is a huge buzz in the industry.  Social media and the press are blowing up with sensational headlines on what this will mean for the American real estate market.