The Daily Meaning

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Growth, Impact Travis Shelton Growth, Impact Travis Shelton

Ode to Reps

One particular comment struck me: "It was interesting watching you perform. Even though there were only a few people there, you gave off the same vibe as if there were 1,000 people in the room."

I recently appeared on a podcast, but it was a different kind of podcast. It was recorded just like a typical podcast, but at the same time, there was a live audience watching/listening. It was facilitated via Zoom, so I could see the attendees' faces while recording. Just one problem: Only five of the 150 scheduled attendees actually showed up. Therefore, I was doing a live virtual talk to an audience of five that would eventually become a podcast. Odd, I know.

Overall, I thought it went fantastic. On the heels of the event, the organizer reached out to thank me, apologize for the small turnout, and share a few thoughts. One particular comment struck me: "It was interesting watching you perform. Even though there were only a few people there, you gave off the same vibe as if there were 1,000 people in the room."

Good! That's exactly what I was hoping for. I'm a firm believer that every rep counts; we never know what impact we'll make. It reminds me of something I learned from being a youth group leader. If we hosted a big event and only a handful of kids showed up, that didn't mean it was a loss. Rather, it meant we could pour everything we had into those few kids. I loved that mentality!

I think this mindset carries into every aspect of life. Each repetition is an opportunity to give 100%, regardless of the circumstance. Further, giving 100% in the less assuming settings earns us the right to make an impact elsewhere.

It ALWAYS reminds me of my favorite music video, Ode To Sleep by Twenty One Pilots. If you haven't seen this video, and I'm 99% sure you haven't, please take a few minutes to experience it.

The video opens with Tyler and Josh performing in a small dingy room in front of just 12 people. What's most fascinating to me is that they are performing with the same energy one might exude in a large arena. They were going off.

The video transitions to a different show, 18 months later. This time, they are playing in a "dark, sweaty basement" in front of 300 people. Again, the same massive energy that doesn’t seem to match the audience size. They were going off.

Lastly, the video transitions one final time. This time, 18 months later, they are performing again. However, the audience has ballooned to 12,000 loyal fans. The moment the screen flips to HD and pans across the electric crowd still gives me chills. Again, the energy was off the charts. They were going off.

I can't get this music video out of my head. It has 26 million views, and I suspect half a million of them are just me. I so much appreciate their willingness to give 100% of themselves each repetition, whether 12 people or 12,000 people.

I don't know what you have going on today, but whatever it is, it deserves 100%. You never know the impact you'll make.


____

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Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton

Stepping Across the Line

Whenever I write about my disgust in the "support small business" movement, I suffer a momentary wave of panic that I'll lose some of my small business owner subscribers.

Whenever I write about my disgust in the "support small business" movement, I suffer a momentary wave of panic that I'll lose some of my small business owner subscribers. After all, my ideas on the subject are about as counter-cultural as they come. I've lost my fair share of readers from this position, but I'm grateful for everyone who has stuck with me and has been willing to hear a different perspective.

With that context in mind, I have a fun story to share. One of my small business owner friends recently reached out via text. He confessed there were many days where his finger hovered over the "unsubscribe" button out of frustration, but for whatever reason, he decided to give me the benefit of the doubt. He's a big believer in "supporting" small businesses. This isn't news to me, as I've watched him spout off that destructive narrative for years on his social channels and in his marketing.

Here's what he said next! "A while back I decided to give your idea a try. Instead of asking people to support me, I just tried to be more excellent. Do better at marketing. Treat customers better. And give people more reasons to come to my business instead of someone else's (or the big box stores)."

I'm loving this so far! Let's continue: "And it worked! My revenue has doubled in the last 6 months and I wonder why I spent so much time worrying about people supporting me. As you say, excellence always wins."

Yes! Yes! Yes! By the way, I've seen a shift in his business from watching their social media. The change is palpable. They carry themselves with a newfound confidence, and it's clear they are in the business of serving people well.

They now realize customers don't owe them anything. Customers don't exist to serve them, but the other way around. Their sole responsibility is to earn the right to serve people, serve them with excellence, and earn the right to serve them again. And if they do that well enough, earn the right for those people to share the news with others.

This is exactly what my friend has done, and his business and family are thriving as a result. He used to act entitled to people's business and feel victimized by a lack of support. Today, he and his team add a ton of value to many people's lives; they are thriving!

This is the way business should be done. I'm not arrogant enough to think I will single-handedly change the world here. However, together, we have the potential to bend the culture and slowly move the needle in this area. My friend is certainly making a difference in his little neck of the world.

Whether you own a business or work for an organization, today is another opportunity to be excellent. If we do, the rest will take care of itself.....eventually. No excuses, no justifications, no entitlement. Just excellence.

____

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

Ode To Insecurity

I'm so freaking proud of this guy. Not so much for what he's accomplished, but for the road-less-traveled example he's setting for hundreds or thousands of people around him. It's one thing to say it, but another to live it. He and Kate live it.

Today's post is about Cole Netten, my Meaning Over Money partner. My relationship with Cole and his wife Kate began in their later college years, as they were about ready to graduate, get married, and join the working world. Upon graduation, Kate began her teaching career, and Cole found a pretty good office job. It wasn't the job of his dreams, but it was safe, steady, and provided security for his new family. It was a responsible job.

Just days into his new job, I invited Cole to lunch since we were now working in the same building. When he showed up, he looked like a shell of his former self. It was still Cole, but yet it wasn't. His zest for life seemed missing. His go-with-the-flow nature was replaced with angst. He looked absolutely miserable!

Within a matter of weeks, Cole impulsively quit his job and told Kate about this decision AFTER he did it. Yikes! What in the world was he thinking!?!? He landed a solid job right out of college! This job would have provided a nice income for them. It would have helped them grind out their debt. It would have allowed them a higher standard of living. It most certainly would have felt more secure. Yet, Cole instinctively lit a match and burned it down.

Fast forward several years, and Cole and Kate still don't have security. Their standard of living isn't something to envy. Their financial life is anything but steady or predictable. While all that may be true, there's something else I need to add: They live a truly blessed life. Cole's career as a filmmaker is just as choppy and uncertain as it's ever been. Kate primarily stays home with their THREE kids, from newborn to four. In my opinion, their marriage is something worth mimicking. They are truly a special couple. But "secure" isn't on their scorecard of life.

A few days ago, Amazon Prime released a new documentary titled ChiefsAholic, a film about a Kansas City Chiefs Superfan who was secretly living a double life as a serial bank robber. Cole helped make this movie!

Add this to the ridiculous list of projects he's done:

  • Shooting feature segments for College Gameday.

  • Manning Taylor Swift watch in the underbelly of Arrowhead Stadium for ESPN.

  • Doing commercial work for prominent regional and national companies.

  • An accomplished drone pilot.

  • Shooting and grip work for feature Hollywood films and documentaries.

  • Shooting post-game press conferences in the Kansas City Chiefs locker room.

  • Shooting weddings for NFL superstars.

Oh yeah, and he's barely 30-years-old. He's done all this in less than a decade. What in the heck is he going to do in the next 10, 20, or 30 years? All because he turned his back on a "good" job. A "secure" job. A "responsible" job.

I'm so freaking proud of this guy. Not so much for what he's accomplished, but for the road-less-traveled example he's setting for hundreds or thousands of people around him. Meaning over money. Purpose over security. It's one thing to say it, but another to live it. He and Kate live it.

Take from this what you will. Oh yeah, and go watch ChiefsAholic on Amazon Prime!

____

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Generosity, Parenting, Impact Travis Shelton Generosity, Parenting, Impact Travis Shelton

The Unlikeliest of Inspiration

Then, he added something else. "Do you know the Mickey Christmas Carol movie? That's what made me interested in helping people who are poor and don't have homes. They talked about it on there, and I was really interested. Giving stuff to people for free and helping them."

Since yesterday was the last school day before Christmas break, the boys stayed up later than usual. When it was finally time to go to bed, everyone was exhausted. Bedtime was a bit more expedited. Instead of each of us praying like most nights, I asked Finn to give one extra good prayer for all of us. He knocked it out of the park! Something he said caught my attention, though. He prayed for the people who were "poor and don't have homes" and asked God to give them blankets to stay warm in the cold.

After the tuck-ins finished and Sarah left the room, I asked him about that. He said he's been thinking about homeless people and is scared they won't be safe. I asked him if he’s interested in going to Target, filling up our car with blankets, and taking them to some friends who could deliver them to some of the homeless people in our community. He beamed with excitement. I guess I know what we'll be doing on our first day of Christmas break.

Then, he added something else. "Do you know the Mickey Christmas Carol movie? That's what made me interested in helping people who are poor and don't have homes. They talked about it on there, and I was really interested. Giving stuff to people for free and helping them." First, listening to this little boy try to say the word "interested" is pretty cute. Second, wow! How awesome is that!?!?

I talk to the boys about generosity all the time, but for whatever reason, Finn's recent viewing of Mickey's Christmas Carol connected some new dots for him. He gained some awareness. He ached for hurting people. He was inspired to act. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the most unlikely of sources.

I'm really excited for Finn to explore generosity in this way, and I'm extremely proud of him for taking this step. Who knows where it will lead, but it will hopefully be the next step in his journey of generosity.

Keep connecting dots. Connect your own dots. Help your kids connect theirs. Inspire others to connect theirs. You never know when a trigger moment may occur. Sometimes, inspiration comes from the most unlikely of sources.

____

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Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton

The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

"I want to create the single best coffee shop in America." Uh, ok. Pretty audacious for someone who had failed in his first few iterations of the company.

When TJ asked me to partner with him in the re-launch of Northern Vessel, I asked him about his goals. He had one goal, which was as simple as it was audacious: "I want to create the single best coffee shop in America." Uh, ok. Pretty audacious for someone who had failed in his first few iterations of the company. When I asked him how this would happen, he also had straightforward answers:

  • We will practice unreasonable hospitality.

  • We will attempt to turn the coffee industry on its head and shift the way people experience coffee.

Again, TJ is audacious......borderline crazy. Over the thousands of conversations TJ and I have shared, these visions never get lost in the shuffle. They are a constant elephant in the room, perpetually reminding us why we do what we do. His standards are so high. He expects a lot from his team and partners, and even more from himself. He lives and breathes his dream. He's relentless!

Earlier this year, we spent weeks trying to put into words the way we approach our business. Ultimately, after many iterations, the words in front of us clicked: The relentless pursuit of excellence and the will to win. Notice how it's not about coffee, but excellence.....period. This message seemed to resonate with everyone we shared it with. Doctors, entrepreneurs, photographers, barbers, teachers, social media influencers. We were surrounded by an army of people who demand excellence, not only from themselves, but also from those who have the privilege of serving them.

Even the smallest nuances of our business get put under the microscope. Is that drink excellently prepared? Did we show joy to the customer who just walked in the door? Is the vibe of the shop on point? Are those the best lids for sipping a beverage? Is that Instagram post hitting the right mark? Does the team feel valued and empowered today? Did we show enough gratitude to those who step foot into our little world? Everything is on the table for critique. Good isn't good enough. It's the relentless pursuit of excellence in the big things and in the small things.

We aren't there yet. We aren't perfect. We still make mistakes. We're still learning. We still have a long ways to go. It's a never-ending journey, but a journey nonetheless.

We receive tons of feedback and reviews, and we appreciate all of it. Yesterday, though, we received a doozy on Google. It's creative, direct, and funny. It also gets to the heart of TJ's original vision. Here it is in its entirety:

"If you think Disney World is the happiest place on earth, then you clearly haven't been to Northern Vessel for a Cold Brew!

Better customer service than the most prestigious Michelin star restaurant, NV does it right. The coffee is expertly crafted, the employees and I do mean EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE, smiles and interacts in a way that makes you want to come back over and over again. Truly the brightest spot of most of my mornings.

I know what you're thinking, is this place stuffy and full of coffee snobbery; no sir. It's a super chill environment where people bask in the huge windows (when a KIA hasn't parked there, iykyk) and chat with their friends, you'll see business professionals sitting at the shared workspace typing away, and young families that pop in and out for their much needed caffeine break.

Feeling peckish? Worried that all they have to eat is some crusty vegan/gluten-free/taste free baked treat that looks and tastes like sidewalk chalk that was made in some random hipsters home kitchen? Have no fear! They serve up the best donuts from an actual donut shop, no random cat hair in your scone here, and I highly recommend the cherry cake donut, it's the best (although I do wish they had a double chocolate donut as those are my actual favorite).

All this to say if you want a great coffee, a good doughnut, and incredible customer service you can't go wrong at Northern Vessel, otherwise I hear there's new chain coffee shop opening up nearby where you can actually taste mediocrity and tears of the people that are unfortunate enough to darken its doors…"

Whatever it is you're doing today, be relentless. Keep pushing forward. Demand excellence in yourself. Know you'll fall short, then keep going. Enjoy the journey.

____

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Impact Travis Shelton Impact Travis Shelton

Keep Doing Good

Our nation was hit with another senseless school shooting yesterday. It was the latest in a string of tragic events that have ripped countless families apart. Day after day, bad things keep happening. Do you ever wake up some days and ask yourself why all this keeps happening?

Our nation was hit with another senseless school shooting yesterday. It was the latest in a string of tragic events that have ripped countless families apart. Day after day, bad things keep happening. Do you ever wake up some days and ask yourself why all this keeps happening?

There's a real helplessness that can fall onto our psyche as tragedy after tragedy impacts our lives and the lives around us. A helplessness and hopelessness. There's no shortage of terrible things all around us. Just in the past few weeks, I've walked alongside several families dealing with unspeakable loss.

While I can't undo or directly impact many of these tragedies happening around me, I have a role to play......and you do, too! In a world inundated with pain, suffering, and evil, we have an opportunity and responsibility in front of each of us: keep doing good.

Each day, we can choose to add to the pain, sit on our hands and be complacent, or do good. Each day is a new choice. Do I want to add to people's suffering, sit idly, or keep doing good?

This world needs all the good it can get. People need all the good they can get. That's my call to action today, short and sweet. Keep doing good. Each day, choose to do good. We can't necessarily prevent some of these painful events from unfolding, but we do have the collective power to drive more good into the world than bad can take away.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part. Maybe it's impossible to make up for all the terror we're experiencing. Maybe it is, in fact, hopeless. However, I'm just crazy enough to believe that we do have influence. We do have an opportunity. We do have responsibility. I think each of us wields far more influence on this world than we know. I think today is a day to fight back with good. Keep doing good. Make an intentional choice each and every day. Let's push back on evil.

____

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Impact, Meaning Travis Shelton Impact, Meaning Travis Shelton

Jimmy V’s Free Rent

As I was basking in the glory of #3 Iowa State's 13-point comeback win on the Iowa Hawkeyes's home court last night, ESPN switched to coverage of its annual V Week programming, beginning with Jimmy V's iconic speech at the inaugural ESPY Awards 31 years ago.

Jimmy V lives rent-free in my head. I remember watching that event as an 11-year-old kid. I was just there for the highlights and to see my favorite athletes win awards, but then this other man stepped to the podium. I didn't know who Jimmy V was, but the moment he started talking, I was captivated. His words seemed paradoxical to me. How was he talking about his imminent death (something I had never heard discussed before) while doing so with so much vigor and optimism? He made a mark on me that I wouldn't realize for many years, and now can't get out of my head.

If you do any amount of research on Jimmy V, you'll quickly find that he was extraordinarily successful in his professional career. He was a basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. As a coach, he led NC State to a national championship in what is now considered a legendary moment in basketball history.

Yet, despite all his accomplishments and celebrity, his biggest impact on this world wouldn’t occur until the waning months of his life. In 1992, at the age of 46, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. If you didn't watch the speech linked above, I highly recommend you do. It's the best 11 minutes you'll spend all day! He gave that speech nine months after his cancer diagnosis, and he passed away less than two months later. That speech, and its aftermath, created a movement that carries through to this day. His foundation, launched that night 31 years ago, has raised nearly $400M for cancer research.

Jimmy V passed away at 47 years old when I was just 11, yet the impact of his final months of life carries with me to this day. I think about his zest for life, his determination to keep moving forward, his insistence of living with meaning, his passion for making a difference, his contagious joy, and his self-awareness of his own mortality. I say this as a 43-year-old man, 31 years after his speech and death. In his final weeks of life, he managed to spark something in me (and likely millions of others) in ways that would ripple through time.

This is me turning my chair away from memory land and toward you. Your best work is in front of you. No matter how old you are, what you've accomplished, or what you think is to come, your best work has not yet been availed to you or the world. You will likely make more impact in whatever time you have left than everything you've done to date combined.

Do you believe that? I believe that. Let's find out.

____

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Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton Entrepreneurship, Impact Travis Shelton

Shinin’ Shoes and Savin’ Souls

“Here’s how it works over here. We shinin’ shoes and savin’ souls. Salvation is free, and so are the shoe shines. You just give whatever your heart tells you.”

I had a great trip to Mississippi this week. As I journeyed home, I was blessed with an opportunity to grab a quick shoe shine in the Jackson Airport, as I’ve wanted to get a professional shine to protect my new investment. Luckily, there was a shoe shine station immediately adjacent to my gate. I had a great time with Doc the shoe shine man. As he was wrapping up his work, I asked, “What do I owe you?” This is where it gets good.

“Here’s how it works over here. We shinin’ shoes and savin’ souls. Salvation is free, and so are the shoe shines. You just give whatever your heart tells you.”

Yes! Doc was speaking my language! I was anticipating the cost being $10-$15, with the plan of just giving him a $20 bill. But the moment he shared that, something inside me shifted. I reached into my pocket and gave him every dollar I had on me. 

Was Doc sincere? Not sure. Did he have ulterior motives? Not sure. But I was going to take him at face value…..because he built trust with me over the preceding 10 minutes. He served me with excellence. He was engaging, thorough, shared wisdom, and provided a killer end product. Excellence should be rewarded. If he’s running his own business out of the airport (which probably isn’t cheap), and doesn’t even have a price for his service (it’s 100% free), I suspect many other people also reward excellence. He wasn’t asking for a hand-out, but rather for an opportunity to serve people with excellence and let the chips fall how they may. It takes an awful lot of confidence to sustain a business without having a price tag on your product.....confidence only excellence can buy.

In addition to all that, in just 10 short minutes, he managed to make an indelible impact on me……enough to warrant an entire blog post by a complete stranger. Here’s an interesting question to ponder today. What can you do today to make the type of impact where a total stranger would write a blog about you? I don’t know the answer, but I do know one thing: the bar is probably lower than you think. It doesn't take some grandiose act to make an impact. Doc impacted me within 10 minutes of a chance encounter. If Doc can do that, why not you? Why not me? Why shouldn't we move the needle in someone's life today?

Let's get to work!

____

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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.

Social media saves me again. I'm utterly exhausted from all that occurred in the past week (single dad life while Sarah traveled, Grandma's passing and subsequent funeral, basketball practices, and travel to Mississippi). As I pondered what I should write about today, I decided to open the inspiration machine (i.e. TikTok). It didn't take more than 45 seconds of scrolling for me to stumble upon a brilliant clip featuring Forrest Gump himself, Mr. Tom Hanks.

I don't have the full context of this conversation, but he's being interviewed. The interviewer asks, "What is the best advice you've ever heard or received?"

Here is Tom's response: "Throw deep, baby. If you're gonna do it, do it. If you have the chance, do it. Don't pause. Instinct, man. If you got an instinct, go at it. Throw deep."

This is one of the scariest mindsets one can have. Throwing deep, relying on instinct, just hitting "go," not pausing, going for it. This is a sure-fire way to fail. If you approach life with this mindset, you WILL fail. Oh yeah, it's also why you'll succeed.

Ask any successful person about failure. They won't laugh at you and tell you how they never failed; far from it! Instead, they will probably elaborate, in great detail, about their many whiffs, failings, and embarrassments. Going deep is a recipe for disaster, and beauty. It's the secret to being humbled, and doing something that matters. It's the door to pain and suffering, and the joy of accomplishment.

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.

If you know me today, you hopefully associate me as the anti of all I just described. Throw deep, baby, as Mr. Hanks suggests. It's a tremendously difficult and humbling way to live life, but wow, it's meaningful. There's nothing safe about my family's life anymore. We have far less income, much more uncertainty, and anything but stability. But in its place is meaningful work, life-giving generosity, a spirit of adventure, and a relentless pursuit of meaning and impact.

Wherever this meets you today, I hope it gives you something to think about. Maybe you have a wild idea you're hesitant to run with. Perhaps you're itching (but scared) to start that business. Maybe you're being called to make a counter-cultural career shift. Perhaps you feel the nudge to open the floodgates of generosity.

Whatever is on your mind and heart today, I hope this triggers something within you. Throw deep, baby!


____

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Growth, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Growth, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

731 Ideas

In the reflective words of Ron Burgundy, "Boy, that escalated quickly." Two years; November 14th, 2022. Today is the two-year anniversary of publishing this blog each day. Two years. 731 days. 731 articles. 731 ideas.

In the reflective and surprised words of Ron Burgundy, "Boy, that escalated quickly." Two years; November 14th, 2022. Today is the two-year anniversary of publishing this blog each day. Two years. 731 days. 731 articles. 731 ideas.

About ten days into this insane endeavor, I wondered if I'd run out of ideas soon. Would I run out in a week? A month? I surely won't make it a year. 731 ideas in 731 days.

Even though I'm living it, it's hard to wrap my head around this notion of brainstorming, writing, editing, and publishing one article per day for 731 consecutive days.

There's precedent for this sort of behavior, though:

  • I've brushed my teeth every day for 40+ years.

  • I've eaten every day - multiple times - for more than 43 years.

  • I've dressed myself every day for 40+ years..

  • The list goes on.

So, I suppose there is a precedent for writing 731 articles in 731 days. Each of us is uniquely wired to create, maintain, and strengthen habits. What do all those things above have in common? They are worth it. It's worth brushing my teeth every day so the dentist doesn't have to drill holes through my head, and people around me aren't repulsed by my breath. It's worth taking the time to eat - multiple times per day - because I appreciate staying alive. It's worth dressing myself each day because I don't think anyone needs me walking around public naked. There’s precedent for each of us to do things that are worth it, even tremendously difficult things.

Similarly, it's worth writing this blog because it adds value to thousands of people's lives (hopefully yours, too!). It's worth it because writing every day helps me process what's going on around me and to thoroughly think through these ideas. It's worth it because writing each day builds discipline and grit that can be transported into other areas of my life. It's worth it because creativity begets creativity; each idea (good or bad) sparks another.

No, this isn't my advocation for you to start a daily blog. Rather, this is my encouragement to find something worth doing. Find something that fuels you, serves others, and makes you better. Find it, lean into it, lean into it harder, and watch where it takes you.

Have a wonderful day!

____

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Relationships, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Relationships, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

Someone’s World

While I believe each one of us has the power to change the world, the reality is most of us won't be household names on the Mount Rushmore of world-changers. The law of averages says that's true, and our lived history says that's true. Most of us won't change the world.

I lost my paternal grandmother yesterday. This comes nearly five years to the day after Grandpa took his last breath. During that five year stretch, I've said goodbye to all four of my grandparents. It's not a day to mourn, though. Today, I celebrate her and the long, impactful life she lived, passing away just a handful of weeks before what would have been her 96th birthday.

Grandpa and Grandma’s first time meeting the boys.

One idea I regularly process here on the blog is the call we each have to make an impact on this world. Whenever I use that phrase, it makes people cringe. Not because they don't believe in impact, but rather because they don't believe their existence will be world-changing (then citing an array of world-changing figures they are unfairly comparing themselves to).

While I believe each one of us has the power to change the world, the reality is most of us won't be household names on the Mount Rushmore of world-changers. The law of averages says that's true, and our lived history says that's true. Most of us won't change the world.

While you may or may not change the world, you 100% have the power to change someone's world. And I have a little secret for you. Changing someone's world might as well be the same as changing the world.....because when you inflict impact on someone's world, it moves the needle in their life more than any of these quote-unquote world-changers ever could.

My Grandma didn't change the world, but man, she sure did change a lot of someone's worlds. She inflicted significant impact on this world, but it was discreet. It was face to face, person by person by person. I grew up four hours away from her, and didn't see her all that often. Yet, when I reflect on my childhood, she was an instrumental force in it. She was the center of so many memories, traditions, and lessons. That's her, though. She always seemed to work quietly behind the scenes, yet constantly seemed in control and a driving influence in the small world around her.

She's one of the greatest women I’ve ever known. She will never be on a list of world-changers, but I can tell you she's made more impact on my life than any famous world-changing name I could think of. She was everything. I’m sure others would agree.

Impact, impact, impact. That's our call to action. No, we won't all be called to change the world. However, we ARE called to change someone's world. Understand that opportunity. Understand that responsibility. Understand what's at stake. Understand the implications of that power. I think my Grandma did.


I'm looking forward to paying tribute to my Grandma in a few days. Until then, I'm sure I'll be living in flashback-ville, thinking about all the awesome impact she's made on my life. Love you, Grandma! Glad you've been reunited with Grandpa after five long years. Thanks for all you've done for me and so many others.

____

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Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

Story Behind the Story

Take my new friend. On the surface, he's uber-successful, extremely talented, hard-working, and accomplished. The kind of person you want to be more like. All of that was true, by the way.....that's the story. What about the story behind the story?

I had the most wonderful yet stressful day yesterday. Ups and downs, twists and turns, wins and losses. However, I'm going to hone in on one particular 90-minute block of my day. I had the opportunity to share lunch with a blog reader. It was my first time meeting him, as he passed through my city for work. That was easily the best part of my day, and a reminder how we need to surround ourselves with people better than us. I took away so much from our time together, and hope it's not the last time we cross paths in person.

Here's the idea that hit me during that conversation. When we look at someone, our first perspective of them is whatever they outwardly present for us to see. Their attire. The way they treat people. Their titles and roles. The way they carry themselves. Their accomplishments. The possessions they purchase/carry. We can learn a lot about someone by being in their presence, engaging in surface-level conversations, or checking out their social media presence. That's the story.

Take my new friend. On the surface, he's uber-successful, extremely talented, hard-working, and accomplished. The kind of person you want to be more like. All of that was true, by the way.....that's the story. What about the story behind the story?

I was honored to hear some truly profound stories and testimonials from this man. Stories that are quick and harsh reminders that nobody's life is as perfect and put together as we often believe. Stories that remind us that while we're pretty screwed up, we aren't the only ones battling behind the scenes. Stories that portray humility, vulnerability, and sincerity..... much-needed traits in our modern-day social media facade lifestyle.

It's so easy for us to look at someone, immediately assume their life is perfect, and quickly jump to jealousy, excuse-making, and self-loathing. That's the easy way out, and all too common in our culture. But if we're willing to learn the story behind the story, we'll usually see that we're not alone in the mess and chaos of life. And if these other people can keep fighting, persevere, and rise above it, why can't we?

It's the story behind the story that I'm after. That's what fuels me. That's what I desire to learn about people. That's what makes us human.

One more thing. I'm beyond humbled to meet people who are shockingly transparent and vulnerable with others, especially strangers. My new friend has no idea how much of an impact he made on me yesterday (well, unless he reads this). And if he made that impact on me, a total stranger, in just a 90-minute span of life, what in the heck is he doing for others!?!? That's impact. That's meaning. That's calling.

Seek the story behind the story, and if you're daring enough, share the story behind the story.

____

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Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Science, Impact Travis Shelton Entrepreneurship, Behavioral Science, Impact Travis Shelton

Always Be Unreasonable

Regardless of your vocation or industry, whether an employee or an owner, unreasonable hospitality is always the right approach. Generosity always wins.

As many of you know, I'm obsessed with Facebook restaurant review groups. They are a unique view into the perspectives, philosophies, cultures, and values of customers and business owners alike.

A while back, I saw a gem of a post by someone who reported finding a foreign object in their take-out entree. Upon contacting the business to report the incident, a representative at the restaurant, without even offering an apology, told them they would need to drive back to the restaurant and personally return the tainted order if they wanted a refund. The customer, already inconvenienced by discovering a hazardous object in their meal, was further inconvenienced by being instructed to waste more of their evening by driving back to the restaurant. This customer declined and instead decided to torch this restaurant on the Facebook group. Many people defended the restaurant in this situation, citing the risk of potential fraudsters (i.e. people trying to get free food) as the reason the restaurant requires a physical return. Commenters even somehow defended the restaurant's lack of apology or remorse.

Yesterday, I saw another gem of a post, but of a different variety. After eating half of her meal, the customer requested a to-go container for the remainder. Then, she accidentally dropped all the contents on the floor as she boxed her own meal; it was admittedly 100% the customer's fault. The restaurant employees quickly swooped in to clean up the mess and told her the kitchen was already re-making her a new sandwich. The customer assured the server that wasn't necessary (you know, because it was 100% her fault), but the server insisted.

That was an unreasonable act by the restaurant. An unreasonable act of hospitality. This customer was so blown away by the gesture that she quickly shared this story on the Facebook group. Just 16 hours later, her post had been shared five times, liked 1,100+ times, and commented on 66 times. The comments were overwhelmingly positive. Some people cited their own stories of unreasonable hospitality from this same restaurant, while many others voiced their newfound desire to dine there for the first time.

In the first example, the restaurant prioritized profit first and the customer last. Eventually, they will lose.

In the second example, the restaurant prioritized the customer first and profit last. This is why they will win. Ironic, I know!

Did the restaurant end the night with lower margins because of this act? Absolutely! That's a mathematical fact. However, the goodwill they built from their unreasonable hospitality holds much more value in the broader scheme of things than the potential profit they lost. Further, that customer walked away with a powerful story that was quickly converted into word-of-mouth marketing, which will inevitably result in more business.

Regardless of your vocation or industry, whether an employee or an owner, unreasonable hospitality is always the right approach. Generosity always wins. I hope you find some opportunities to practice that today!

Oh yeah, one more thing. The restaurant from the second story is called The Angry Goldfish. I've never been there, but I will soon after hearing about their generosity and practice of unreasonable hospitality. Maybe you should check them out, too.

____

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Careers, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Careers, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

She’s Far-Fetched, Too

"After I was laid off, I chose to walk away from misery and do something really scary. I walked away from a comfortable 6 figure salary to maybe try to find some happiness. I knew in my head and heart that it could be out there somewhere - I just had to do really hard things to find it. Do I wish I had a bigger bank account? Sure. And maybe someday this business will allow a bit more flexibility and perhaps a vacation out of state (ha), but I'm not willing to give up the freedom and happiness I have every single day for more money in my pocket. I was miserable back then and I refuse to do that again."

I'm used to the criticism at this point. It comes from many angles and in various forms. Over the last year, however, the bulk of the criticism revolved around my ideas of work. Specifically, my position that we should pursue work that matters and find meaning in it. Some of the most common “feedback” includes:

  • "Your ideas about work are far-fetched."

  • "You don't live in the real world."

  • "That's a privileged perspective."

  • "You don't know what it's really like."

  • "Meaning doesn't pay the bills."

  • "Have fun being poor." -- I actually love this one!

  • "You are telling people to be selfish and not care for their families."

  • "You live in la la land."

I know there are some far better, more vulgar quotes somewhere, so I'll save those gems for another day!

Yes, my ideas are crazy, counter-cultural, and backward. Yes, they tug at the fabric of our culture's view of work, money, and life. Yes, it requires discomfort, perseverance, and humility. Yes, it's probably the hardest thing you'll ever do.

No, I'm not alone. No, I'm not special. No, I'm not particularly gifted. No, my ideas aren't even really my ideas. I just happen to have a platform.....and a mission. The truth is, countless people have committed to the types of insane endeavors I write, podcast, and speak about. That's what makes these ideas so amazing: they are accessible to all......IF you're up for the challenge.

I could list hundreds of examples, but you don't show up for me to endlessly ramble. So, instead, I'm going to give you one brief testimonial. This is a reply to my recent Ruin vs. Waste post. First, some context. This woman owns a beautiful small business which fuels and fills her. Her broader story is wild and involves more turmoil than she deserves. Here's what she said:

"After I was laid off, I chose to walk away from misery and do something really scary. I walked away from a comfortable 6 figure salary to maybe try to find some happiness. I knew in my head and heart that it could be out there somewhere - I just had to do really hard things to find it. Do I wish I had a bigger bank account? Sure. And maybe someday this business will allow a bit more flexibility and perhaps a vacation out of state (ha), but I'm not willing to give up the freedom and happiness I have every single day for more money in my pocket. I was miserable back then and I refuse to do that again."

I bolded my favorite part: "I knew in my head and heart that it could be out there somewhere - I just had to do really hardthings to find it." Yes, it's out there. Yes, it's going to be hard. Yes, she had the courage to go for it.

Don't let our culture tell you what you can and should do. The vast majority of those voices are miserable. You deserve better!

____

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Careers, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Careers, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

I’m No Swiftie, But…

I'm no Swiftie, but I watched ESPN's Monday Night Football pre-game show last night with great anticipation. I was dying for the moment when they would show Taylor Swift walking into Arrowhead Stadium to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. It was so worth the wait when the payoff finally happened. That moment made my entire night!

I'm no Swiftie, but I watched ESPN's Monday Night Football pre-game show last night with great anticipation. I was dying for the moment when they would show Taylor Swift walking into Arrowhead Stadium to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. It was so worth the wait when the payoff finally happened. That moment made my entire night!

It reminds me of a lunch I shared with a young friend. He recently graduated college and started a pretty good job. It was the perfect job for someone graduating from college and looking for good money, solid benefits, and stability. He looked miserable, though, and his ill-fitting suit didn't look much better. I anticipated spending that hour with someone who had a signature zest for life, but instead, I shared a meal with a guy who looked like he had just buried his dog. As the conversation picked up, he confessed how much he hated this job. It wasn't a bad job; far from it! Rather, it just wasn't the right job for him. He had different dreams, and this definitely wasn't it. A few weeks later, he left work one afternoon and never returned. Not even his wife knew he had quit.....until she returned home later that night.

That guy was Cole, Meaning Over Money co-founder and my good friend. And that sad lunch encounter occurred nearly ten years ago. Cole quit that job with no backup plan (not advised), while still deeply in debt (also not advised), without talking to his wife (definitely not advised), and began his dream of becoming a freelance videographer. The road has been anything but smooth for him. Ups and downs, hot streaks and dry spells, great opportunities and broken promises. Through it all, he persevered, never losing sight of what he was trying to accomplish. He bought a house, continued to build his business, had a kid, fought to pursue work that matters, had another kid, kept chasing his calling, and will soon have yet another kid.

I'm no Swiftie, but as I eagerly anticipated Taylor Swift's arrival into the stadium last night, I knew it would be Cole on the other end of that camera, continuing to live out his unique journey and vision. ESPN contracted him to be on Monday Night Football Taylor Swift watch, followed by filming the post-game press conference interviews for the Chiefs players and coaches.

I don't mean to sound like I have a man crush on my business partner, but I'm just so dang proud of where he's been, where he's at, and where he'll soon go. It makes it even sweeter knowing how difficult the journey has been. I would say he's stared fear in the face, but he's a retired kicker, and I'm not sure kickers can feel fear. But the struggle is real. If anyone ever pulls out the it-must-be-nice-to-be-him card, I'll be the first one to share the stories of what it looked like behind the scenes, during the crappy periods, when things were uncertain, and when it probably seemed to be anything but "nice to be him."

I'm no Swiftie, but that's pretty cool!

I couldn’t find the actual ESPN footage he recorded, but it was a similar angle as this clip.

____

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

Broken Bones and Torn ACLs

I began a seemingly innocent client relationship about a year ago. It was a young couple making good money and generally having much success. They brought me into their lives to shift them into an entirely new gear. The goal was to go from good to great. Then, life happened. Within a short time span, this couple experienced significant turmoil. Pain and suffering, followed by pain and suffering, followed by more pain and suffering. It was almost laughable how brutally life crushed them.

I began a seemingly innocent client relationship about a year ago. It was a young couple making good money and generally having much success. They brought me into their lives to shift them into an entirely new gear. The goal was to go from good to great. Then, life happened. Within a short time span, this couple experienced significant turmoil. Pain and suffering, followed by pain and suffering, followed by more pain and suffering. It was almost laughable how brutally life crushed them.

Through it all, this couple simply kept going, one painful step forward after another. During one intense meeting, I asked them how they were approaching this season of life. His response: "There's nothing that can stop us when the mission is big enough." Wise and powerful words, and I couldn't agree more! This couple's mission and calling are profound, and it didn't surprise me that they kept moving forward.

This is a tell. When someone's mission is so important that not even the most absurdly painful roadblocks can derail them, it's a tell that they are doing exactly what they are meant to do. The moment I see this characteristic in a client is the moment I know they WILL win. It's not a matter of if, but when.

It reminds me of something I saw a few days ago. Longtime readers know my family is Twenty One Pilot superfans. We're actually going to see them perform this weekend! A news report recently broke on social media about their lead singer, Tyler Joseph. After nearly two months into their world tour, it was revealed that he broke his fibula and tore his ACL…..in the very first minute of his very first show. The show opens dramatically, with Tyler launching himself over his piano, grabbing a hanging mic, and landing in position for his start to Overcompensate.

But the very first night of the tour, he lands with a snap and pop......but nobody knew! He performed the entire 2-hour set in the immediate aftermath of this disaster. He subsequently performed the opening piano jump for another nine nights before eventually altering his entrance. Unbelievable! I need you to see it to give you the full context. Check out the video clip! It's not a great quality, but it gives a solid angle and perspective of the incident. I queued the video to start at the right moment (around the 2-minute mark).

It's weird to watch this through the lens of knowing he broke a bone and tore his ACL in this moment. In the words of my friend, "There's nothing that can stop us when the mission is big enough." That's the tell. It’s unknown when he’ll be able to surgically fix this injury, as they have shows scheduled through mid-May. As I watch Tyler work his way around the arena on Saturday, performing his heart out while creating memories for thousands of fans, I'll be thinking about this. He’ll undoubtedly be in tremendous pain, but also living out his calling. That’s awesome!

I hope you have a mission that's big enough to power you through the pain and suffering of life. It won't be easy, but man, it will be worth it!

____

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

Ruin vs. Waste

"Most of us aren't at risk of ruining our life. Most of us are at risk of wasting it."

I returned home last night after a brutal 30-hour travel day from Mongolia, to Korea, to Minneapolis, to Des Moines. I'll be emceeing a banquet tonight, so if the organizers were wise, they would have a stick handy to poke me each time I fall asleep. The following thoughts percolated in my brain while I explored the Seoul airport. 

I've had the same Pastor for about 13 years. His name is Mike. He has a particular way of meeting me where I'm at. He doesn't go over my head, or try to overcomplicate things. Instead, each week, he attempts to take this 2,000+-year-old text and communicate it to his congregation in a way that's not only understandable but applicable. He was certainly good at his craft 13 years ago, but after thousands more repetitions, I've recognized he's gotten progressively better. 

With that backdrop in mind, paired with my deep admiration and respect for him, he recently dropped a bomb that stuck with me. It landed so hard that I pulled out my phone mid-service to jot it in my Notes app. "Most of us aren't at risk of ruining our life. Most of us are at risk of wasting it." Now, Pastor Mike isn't known for mic drops or Mike Breen "Bang!" moments, but if he were, this would have been one. 

In my work, this is exactly what I see play out in families all across the country. Most people are trying to be responsible, accountable, and productive. There's a lot of public conjecture that says otherwise, but I firmly believe the vast majority of people are trying to do right. They aren't ruining their lives. They are very much keeping the train on the tracks (or at least attempting to). Go to work. Be present for their kids. Don't cheat on their spouse. Handle finances well enough to cover their needs. Put in an honest day's work (and earn promotions along the way). Go to church. Serve others in various ways, whether it be co-workers, neighbors, friends, or family. Most people aren't ruining their lives…..quite the opposite. 

However, now comes the next part. Watching people, in their pursuit of not ruining their lives, I see an awful lot of people wasting it. Unhappiness is at an all-time recorded high. Mental illness is skyrocketing. Study after study shows that state of workplace satisfaction is at miserable levels. I've quoted this study many times, but Gallup reports that 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs. 7 out of 10 people! When we spend half our waking hours in misery, that's a whiff. Yes, there's honor in pushing through and dutifully going to a job you don't love. That's called accountability and responsibility, which aligns well with the idea of not ruining our lives. However, sustained misery in the workplace is also a telltale sign of wasting one's life. 

There are other tells, though, and they often look like regret. Regret for not trying something. Regret for not truly engaging in faith. Regret for not taking that chance. Regret for not going on that trip. Regret for not serving someone. Regret for not investing in that relationship. Regret for not having the difficult conversation. None of these point to ruin, but every one points to waste. 

A friend recently asked me how I can live with myself for having given up so much money these last five years (since leaving my prior career). The answer is simple. Sarah and I don't want to waste our life. We live with ourselves knowing we are living a truly blessed life. Richer, but not in a financial sense.

Something worth thinking about today. I hope you're living a life you're neither ruining nor wasting. A life full of meaning.

____

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Travel, Impact, Meaning Travis Shelton Travel, Impact, Meaning Travis Shelton

Yes

We just wrapped up two days of amazing meetings at a rustic lodge about two hours outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. My head is spnning. As I attempt to write today's piece, all I can think about is the word "yes."

We just wrapped up two days of amazing meetings at a rustic lodge about two hours outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. My head is spinning. As I attempt to write today's piece, all I can think about is the word "yes."

Meal after meal, meeting after meeting, and conversation after conversation, I spent time with people who said "yes." "Yes" to their faith. "Yes" to their calling. "Yes" to their work. "Yes" to the sacrifice. "Yes" to a deeply meaningful life. To call it a humbling experience would be an understatement.

I'm always a proponent of a posture of "yes." I'm sure you could find a dozen posts about it from the last few years, but this week's experience in Mongolia puts that idea on steroids.

As one last act of "yes," as we packed our bags and prepared to leave for the city, a group of us said "yes" to a last-minute hike up the nearby mountain. To be honest, it was far more challenging than I imagined (and dangerous, too). We shared lots of laughs, built into our growing relationships, and created some new memories. Lastly, the payoff was beautiful! Here's a little selfie from our mountaintop view. You can see our gers at the base of the mountain, between my friends Rob and Emily.

It would have been so easy for us to pass on the opportunity. We were already tired from our meetings, never mind the jet lag. We were slightly behind schedule and needed to get back to the city and transition to the next phase of our trip. But we said "yes".....and it was awesome.

Our collective "yes" in that moment is nothing compared to some of the weighty "yes'" that many people make every day, but one "yes" begets another. I believe in the culture of "yes." It's contagious. It's infectious. It's powerful. Not a "yes" despite the discomfort and sacrifice, but a "yes" because of the discomfort and sacrifice. That's where the meaning, beauty, fulfillment, and impact is born.

Whatever you're up to today, I hope you have a posture of "yes." And I hope that "yes" begets another "yes." Fast forward days, weeks, or months, and I hope you create, live, and spread a culture of "yes." I think you deserve it.....and those around you do, too!


____

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Travel, Impact, Meaning, Relationships Travis Shelton Travel, Impact, Meaning, Relationships Travis Shelton

Be the Worst Person In the Room

I intentionally chose a provocative title for today's piece, but it's sincerely how I feel. It's an alternative way to view the old moniker: "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with." These last few days, I've spent time with countless people who have made far more impact, have a much grander vision, and have made much deeper sacrifices in their journeys than I can ever imagine.

Good morning, friends in the West. Being 13 hours ahead of you (i.e. a time traveler), I can confidently say Monday will be a great day.

Due to popular demand, below are a few photos of my current accommodations in Mongolia. I woke up this morning by stepping out of my ger (traditional Mongolian dwelling) and into a beautiful mountain sunrise view. I shared a wonderful breakfast with friends, followed by a full day of productive meetings.

I intentionally chose a provocative title for today's piece, but it's sincerely how I feel. It's an alternative way to view the old moniker: "You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with." These last few days, I've spent time with countless people who have made far more impact, have a much grander vision, and have made much deeper sacrifices in their journeys than I can ever imagine. So, in other words, I feel like the worst person in the room. I don't use that language to be self-deprecating or critical of myself, but rather because of how much respect, admiration, and love I have for these people and the work they are doing.

For as big as my mission and vision is, spending time with these people reminds me of how small my little brain actually thinks. I'm challenged and encouraged just by being in their presence. Do you have any people like that in your life? If so, spend more time with them. If not, find some……then spend as much time as possible with them.

I've been reflecting on how hard these last five years have been for Sarah and me. The comfort is mostly gone. There is no ease. We progressively see the consequences of our sacrifices. There are days we wish we would wave our magic wand and live a cushier, grander, and more comfortable life. You know, the life most people are pursuing…….the life we used to have before we waved the opposite magic wand. But then, I spend time in rooms like I've experienced these last few days, and I'm reminded that there is far more impact to be made, bigger visions to be cast, and much more profound sacrifices to endure.

No, I'm not trying to demean myself. But wow, there are so many amazing people all around us. My challenge today is to spend as much time with them as you can. Be the worst person in the room; it's a life-giving and honorable place to be. 

____

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Impact Travis Shelton Impact Travis Shelton

Nobody Wants to Work: 1800s Edition

Question: In your opinion, when was peak music? What decade or period do you believe was the best? I know your answer, and you're right. My answer is probably different than yours, but I'm probably right, too. Let me guess. Your answer probably correlates with your mid-to-late teen years. Am I right?

Question: In your opinion, when was peak music? What decade or period do you believe was the best? I know your answer, and you're right. My answer is probably different than yours, but I'm probably right, too. Let me guess. Your answer probably correlates with your mid-to-late teen years. Am I right? That would be my answer, and the data says you're probably in a similar camp. Someone actually studied this! Check out the graphic below:

In short, we tend to like music that was created after we were born, with our peak love being the music produced when we're teens. Then, it's all downhill from there. By the time we reach age 35, we start to think newer music sucks.

When it comes to music, we all know we're right......but are we? The generational bias runs deep, but we're too stubborn to admit that. This little nuance is silly and innocent when it comes to our generation bickering about what music rocks and what music sucks, but it comes with harsher consequences when it spills into other areas of life.

Notably, I'm thinking about a common cultural narrative in our society. "Nobody wants to work anymore." And by "nobody," we tend to point our fingers at the younger generation. This narrative has been floating around in our society for years, but it catapulted to a whole new level when COVID hit. I heard it three times in the airport just yesterday!

While I think there are a good number of young people who don't want to work, I couldn't disagree more with this sentiment. We're stereotyping an entire generation based on the behavior of the lazy minority. Did you know any lazy turds in your generation? Of course you did! Some of them were probably your classmates, neighbors, and family members. Every generation has them.

For that reason, it made me smile when I stumbled into this little video clip. The content creator curated news clippings from multiple eras, each saying the same thing: "People don't want to work anymore." And the funny thing is, these clips go back as far as 1894!

It's funny to think about. Some (probably) middle-aged dude, nearing the turn of the century and the introduction of the automobile, with the proliferation of cell phones still 100 years away, is ranting to a newspaper about how young people don't want to work anymore.

This video highlights one thing to me. As the older generation(s) leading the way, instead of beating down these kids and young adults with insults, we have an opportunity to lift them up. Sure, some will be lazy turds; no doubt! But most have a drive and a desire to make a difference in this world. This generation will absolutely change the world. Further, this young generation we lament will soon be in charge of this country while we're still alive! Therefore, let's lift people up, encourage them, mentor them, and propel them to heights we've never seen. That would be a fun legacy for our generation, wouldn't it?

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