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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Someone’s 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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I’ll Have One Christmas, Hold the Guilt

'Tis the season! The lights are going up, the movies are coming out, the weather is turning cold, and my Chicago Bears are melting down into season-ending turmoil. It can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming!

I absolutely love Christmas, but do you know what I don't love? Financial stress, unforeseen debt, and guilt. This is the annual season where millions of families will throw away their measure and discretion for just one more taste of the holiday spirit. Between the decorations, travel, gifts, food, and hosting, it's not uncommon for families to rack up thousands of dollars of expenses (often with debt).

Unfortunately, these expenses are often unbudgeted. They are impulsive, reactionary, and unplanned. But the magic of the season is intoxicating, so we just go along with it. Come early January, it's not uncommon for people to feel significant stress, tension, resentment, and guilt. By the time the Christmas spirit lifts, we're left with a nasty hangover. Have you ever been there before?

Multiple times in the last week, I've talked to families equally anxious as they are excited for the holiday season. On the one hand, they can't wait to share those special moments with the kids, but on the other hand, are dreading the seemingly unavoidable consequences.

I think you deserve better than the most wonderful season of the year to rob you of your peace, freedom, and sanity. You deserve to experience all the joy, without any of the guilt. So today, I'm going to give you a few ideas on how to do Christmas differently:

• Remember that Christmas joy is not derived from money, stuff, or status. Joy is joy.....period.

• Go into the season with a plan. If you're the budgeting type (and I hope you are!), ensure you have money allocated for each component of the season: gifts, travel, decor, food, hosting, etc. Name each and put a dollar figure on them.

• Speaking of budgeting for gifts, make a list of every person you want to buy a gift for. Then, assign a dollar amount to that person. Shop with boundaries.

• Commit to NOT using debt. There's no need to whip out the credit card. I know it's tempting, as it always is, but there's so much peace that comes from knowing everything you paid for is actually paid for.

• Follow the plan. If you said you would spend $500 on gifts, spend $500 on gifts. Don't spend $700, $800, or $1,200. Once you commit, commit. I don't care what the number is for any category, but you must honor yourself by honoring past you's decisions.

• Remember again that money, stuff, and status don't bring joy.

• Slow down your schedule, not speed it up. Embrace the time with your loved ones. Savor it. Don't cram as much in as possible.

• Remember the reason for the season. In our house, that's Jesus.

I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful holiday season for you and your family. It's been a crazy year. Enjoy this final chapter of it.

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The Alternative to Poof

I received a lot of fun feedback from yesterday's post. Many of you were glad I went there, and some of you even sent me screenshots of social media posts from businesses in your area going poof by weaponizing the owner's values. Others, though, were critical of me and my approach.....which they paired with hitting the unsubscribe button.

One critic was thoughtful in his approach. He ended his critique with the question, "So what's the alternative?"

The smart-alec in me wanted to respond, "The alternative to telling half your potential customers they are evil is to just NOT tell half your potential customers they are evil." But that felt too sharp, and I wanted to add a bit more value. Here's the secret: excellence! Always excellence.

If one of your customers agrees with everything you stand for, serve them with excellence.

If one of your customers flies in the face of everything you stand for, serve them with excellence. No exceptions.

Everyone deserves to be served with dignity and hospitality, regardless of their beliefs. I have many clients who have different values and beliefs than I do, and I wholeheartedly believe they deserve the same level of excellence I would try to give anyone else. They deserve it!

Let's flip it around. While not all of us are business owners, every single person reading this is a consumer. We buy products and services. We choose which products and services we need/want, and we choose who to purchase them from.

If you buy products or services from a company that has weaponized the owner's values against people like you, that, by definition, is the opposite of excellence. You're being treated like dirt, and you feel like it, too. You should probably buy your products and services elsewhere.

If you buy products or services from a company that has weaponized the owner's values in favor of people like you, and it causes you to want to "support" them more, that's the opposite of excellence. That type of consumer behavior, which is far too common and is borderline cultish, perpetuates non-excellence and shields businesses from having to earn it.

Both scenarios lead away from excellence. However, with our responsibility and opportunity, we consumers have the power to force businesses to be excellent. If we always reward excellence and always punish non-excellence, it will, on the whole, raise the bar for businesses all around us. Non-excellent businesses will either become excellent, or die. Excellent businesses will feel the pressure of other businesses becoming more excellent, and find new ways to improve. Everyone wins (except for businesses that refuse to pursue excellence).

It all comes down to us, the consumers. Will we reward values, or reward excellence? Will we justify bad behavior, or demand better? Will we patronize businesses that make us feel like crap, or find one that will actually add value to our journey? The average American makes 60 purchases per month, or roughly two per day. Will you demand excellence from your two today?

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Poof

Sarah and I have been contemplating a meaningful financial commitment. We've been weighing the pros, cons, benefits, and costs. It's a decision we haven't taken lightly. The person running this other business clearly has different values and beliefs than we do, but we're good with that. The most important thing is they provide wonderful service and aren't trying to weaponize the owner's values through their business. As such, we felt very comfortable, confident, and excited to hire this business. Its service costs approximately $600/month, which is no small investment. However, after careful consideration, we decided the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Then, something happened. Remember above when I said the business doesn't weaponize the owner's values? Well, that all changed quickly. At the snap of one's fingers, the owner decided to take a different approach. The business decided it would now use the business to jam those values down the marketplace's throat. That was the moment they lost my business. $600/month of revenue.....poof.

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I was recently having a coffee with two other business owners. Both of them were lamenting a loss in revenue over the last few years. They couldn't figure out why this was happening. Did people not have as much discretionary income anymore? Have people stopped shopping local? Do people not care for the products they are offering?

I was waiting for my moment, and then it came! "Travis, what do you think is going on?"

I explained how both businesses essentially gave a middle finger to half our city's population by weaponizing their personal values through their respective businesses.

"Well, I'm just expressing what I believe in," replied one of the men. They can (and should) express what they believe in, but the moment they weaponize their personal values through their business, they've lost the right to serve a large chunk of their customers.

"That shouldn't matter! If our product is good, people should still buy it." Well, I'm not sure that's a fair expectation if you essentially call half your customers evil.

Both of these businesses are on their last legs, and it's sad. Both companies had the potential to move the needle in this city and add a lot of value to a lot of people. But then, the business decided to absorb the owner's values and weaponize them.

Business owners, you have values and beliefs, but your businesses don't. The moment you decide to transfer those values to your businesses and then weaponize them, you've lost. Our job as business owners is to serve those whom we have the privilege of serving. And one way to serve them well is to not shove values down their throats and tell them they are stupid.

You have too much to offer to simply throw it away because of emotion. Yes, your values are important (even the ones that differ from mine). Yes, you should share your values with others. Yes, your voice should be heard. But not through your business. Not at the expense of your customers and clients. They deserve better, and so do you.

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Trust the Process

Whenever someone is talking about how a loved one needs to improve their finances, they often blurt out statements such as, "They just need to pay off their debt," "They should just save more money, or "They just need to stop spending."

Those statements make a generalized assumption that there is some magical switch that can just be flipped, like a toy doll. The doll stands motionless until you flip the little switch on its back, then it comes alive. Unfortunately (or fortunately), that's not how humans work. It's not as simple as "just pay off debt."

In my now-well-tested opinion, there's not one step to getting right with money. It's not as simple as "just do _____." Rather, there are three critical steps, each as important as the next:

1. Gain awareness

2. Gain control

3. Gain traction

The first step to getting right with our money is to develop an awareness of where we stand. We need to understand the lay of the land, clearly see our current situation, and gain a firm grasp on our current reality. It's the hard look in the mirror.

Once we've gained an awareness of our reality, we can begin to gain control. Slowly but surely, we shift from reactive to proactive. From being a victim of our impulses to the author of the story. We learn the art of telling our money what to do, and then doing it.

Once we've gained control, that's when we can begin to gain traction. When we become the conductor of the symphony, we get to decide what goes where and when. That's when this entire thing unlocks. We earn the right to start making progress in our finances and move the needle in that area of our lives. We get to prioritize and focus, then watch the momentum actually build.

We can't just skip to gaining traction. Traction doesn't happen on accident. First, we need awareness, then control, then the much sought-after traction. Don't put the cart in front of the horse; one step at a time. It may seem like things are moving slowly at first, but then, it accelerates much faster than you could have imagined. Trust the process!

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Preserving My Midlife Crisis

In a few hours, I'll (temporarily) say goodbye to the 350Z. Our midwest winter is setting in, and it's time to store it away for the winter. I'm getting its oil changed, then delivering it to client, friend, and blog reader Emma's house where it will be kept safe and sound until spring. When I published a Facebook post asking if anyone was interested in making some storage income for the winter, Emma was the first person to text me. I quickly thanked her and confirmed I was in, to which she responded, "Really excited to help you preserve your midlife crisis." Wow, Emma.

It's been eight months since I finally checked the box on my 17-year dream of owning a 2006 Nissan 350Z stick-shift convertible. As I put it away for the winter, I thought today would be a good day to reflect on my decision.

In short, wow, what a rich and meaningful decision to purchase that car. It was easily the best $9,000 I've ever spent on something. It has been everything I hoped it would be, and more:

• I spent many hours cruising around town with my kids this summer, blaring Twenty One Pilots and making multiple pitstops at various ice cream establishments.

• Driving it as my daily commuter added a new richness and enjoyment to the repetitiveness of day-to-day life.

• I made road trips to Omaha, Minneapolis, KC, and Colorado, each providing a unique open-road, top-down experience.

• Several friends drove the car, and it was fun seeing the smiles on their faces.

Finny and I out for an afternoon cruise.

A particular conversation occurred on multiple occassions, each resembling this one:

Friend: "Wow, that car is amazing. I wish I could afford something like that."

Me: "Well, it cost about one-sixth of what you paid for that truck out there."

Friend: .........

What I want people to know about wants, meaning, and value-based decision-making is that we don't have to break the bank to journey into fun endeavors. $9,000 isn't nothing, but it's also not what most people default to when considering a fun purchase like this. We don't have to completely sabotage our finances to enjoy life. We can be measured, intentional, humble, and dutiful in our approach. This purchase didn't materially hinder our financial lives, but it sure added a lot of value to our family.

I'm not suggesting everyone should replicate my decision. Rather, I'm trying to make the argument that we should find things that add value to our lives, and we don't need to implode our financial lives to do so.

I also believe there's a time and place for everything. I waited 17 years to purchase this car. In hindsight, it cost me far less by waiting those 17 years, while being more valuable to me 17 years later than had I purchased it any time sooner.

I have nothing but gratitude and fondness for this decision. Yes, it's just a possession. Yes, it will be in a landfill before I know it. No, it can't make me happy. But dang, I'm really glad we decided to go for it.

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A Recession is Still Coming

Catchy headline, eh? I'm not trying to create clickbait or lead with fear. In fact, by the time you're done reading this, I hope you feel the opposite of fear. Immediately following President Trump's re-election, the equity markets soared on optimism, with the S&P 500 increasing 2.5% yesterday alone. The general public sentiment is that we're now positioned for good economic times. While we might see a momentary jolt of positivity, I can confidently predict a recession is still coming (regardless of who is in the White House). Why? Because that's what always happens. Again, I'm not trying to spark fear, so please bear with me.

I'm not arrogant or ridiculous enough to proclaim when said recession is coming, but I promise you it is. Again, why? Because that's what happens in a capitalist society. We grow, contract, grow, and contract again. It's been that way for centuries. In other words, recessions (and the stock market crashes normally associated with them) are a normal part of a well-functioning society.

Perhaps some context is in order. In the last 100 years (1925-2024), there have been 16 recessions, beginning in:

• 1926

• 1929

• 1937

• 1945

• 1949

• 1953

• 1958

• 1960

• 1969

• 1973

• 1980

• 1981

• 1990

• 2001

• 2007

• 2020

16 recessions in 100 years translate into one recession every six years. The longest span between recessions was 13 years, between the 2007 and 2020 recessions. However, the 2020 recession was a blip on the radar, lasting only two quarters (just long enough to be technically classified as a recession). Then, due to stimulus and other factors, the economy shot back up as quickly as it fell. If we remove 2020 as an actual recession, it means we're actually 17 years (and counting) between meaningful recessions.....on borrowed time compared to our every-six-year historical rhythm.

Can we all agree a lot of life has happened in the last 100 years? World War 2, Vietnam, Korea, two Gulf Wars, the assassination of a president, 9/11, countless natural disasters, civil rights battles, COVID, political unrest, and a ton of other events I'm probably blanking from my memory. Through all that turmoil, intertwined with the 16 recessions I mentioned earlier, the U.S. stock market is up 10.4% per year over the last 100 years. A $1 investment 100 years ago is now worth $19,800. The stock market has gone up nearly 20,000x, not in the absence of terrible things, but through all the terrible.

I have two takeaways today:

1. A recession WILL happen. A stock market crash WILL happen. It's inevitable. Expect it. Anticipate it. Don't be surprised or shell-shocked when it arrives.

2. Don't fear it. Know it's going to be ok. Know that your patience, diligence, and fortitude will be rewarded. Don't lose sleep at night. Don't let it rob you of your peace.

Please don't scare yourself into making rash decisions or becoming reactionary. Stay the course. Be intentional. Get your financial house in order. Live with meaning. Practice generosity. Make an impact. Please don't let fear or uncertainty rob you of a better future.....or a better present.

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Yesterday's Meaning Over Money podcast episode also engaged in this topic. If there's someone in your life who is more apt to listen to a podcast than read a blog, could you please share it with them?

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The Freedom to Eat the Consequences

A while back, blog reader Ryan tipped me off to a few of the other daily publications he follows. One of them is called Daily Discipline by Brian Kight. It sounded intriguing as Ryan explained it, so I started following Brian's content. It's short, relevant, and thought-provoking. Yesterday's post was particularly compelling. In short, Brian proposes freedom comes in two forms: 1) the freedom to make choices, and 2) the freedom to bear the consequences of said choices.

It's a simple, profound, and brilliant idea, and aligns well with everything we talk about over here at The Daily Meaning. We are each the author of our own story, and we must take that opportunity and responsibility seriously. Far too often, we make poor financial and career choices with the freedom bestowed upon us. As Brian points out, with freedom to make choices comes a freedom to eat the consequences:

• According to MarketWatch Guides, approximately 66% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck. Income influences this, but not as much as you'd think. 48% of people earning $100,000-$200,000 live paycheck-to-paycheck, and 36% earning $200,000+ live paycheck-to-paycheck.

• According to Gallup, 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs. I talk about this statistic regularly, and it always pains me to do so.

We're blessed with the freedom to make any choice we want; more often than not, we use that freedom to make choices that impair our well-being and our future.

As we recognize our freedoms today, we should equally acknowledge the importance of using them to bring meaning, fulfillment, and impact into our lives. It's a huge responsibility, but also a massive opportunity.

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Turn Normal On Its Head

A while back, I saw some social media posts about how Twenty One Pilots did something wild during one of their shows. While performing one of their new songs (which they play every night), lead singer Tyler Joseph, accompanied by a small entourage of camera operators and grips, meandered through the pit while performing the song. If you're not familiar, the pit is the group of people standing immediately in front of the stage. They are often the rowdiest fans, and as a standing-only section, they can get congested and unruly. People jockeying for position, people trying to navigate to their desired location, people looking for the best camera angle or access to the performer.

For international superstars, the mere idea of entering the pit is a scary endeavor. Yet, for years, Twenty One Pilots has engaged directly with their pit fans. At least once per show, Josh Dun, the drummer, sits atop the pit fans while they hold a platform, a drum kit, and Josh above their heads (that takes trust!).

Also, in the final song of this tour's show, both Tyler and Josh have platforms wheeled into the middle of the pit, where they play their iconic song Trees, surrounded by their most loyal fans. It's a sight to behold.

To my delight, I recently turned on YouTube and was greeted with a new music video. They released a video for the song Routines In The Night, featuring all the new pit footage they recently recorded. It's a fun video, and I highly recommend you check it out!

No, this post isn't just for me to rant about Twenty One Pilots. It brings one specific idea to mind. I absolutely love how they turn normal on its head. Normal is to separate themselves from the pit. Normal is to just perform the regular way. Normal is to simply do what everyone else is doing. Instead, they are turning normal on its head and carving out new ways to approach their craft.

When we started the podcast, dozens of people told me, "You can't do a podcast without interviews. Nobody wants to listen to one person talk." That's exactly what we did, and it's been beautiful.

When I started this blog, countless people told me, "You can't send people e-mails every day. Nobody will read that! Just send them one thing per week and call it good." I ignored them, and you all received me with arms wide open. 70% of you read the blog every single day, and I never take that for granted.

When I left my prior career and our family took a 90% pay cut, many people told me I was making the biggest mistake of my life. Yes, it's been a difficult journey, but one of the most beautiful ones I could ever have imagined.

I so much appreciate when people are willing to turn normal on its head and carve a new path. I hope you receive this as encouragement to do the same in your journey. Don't get stuck by what the world says is the right way to do things. Sometimes, you need to rip up the blueprint and start afresh!

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One Madness Ends, Another Begins

It's here, guys! Tomorrow is the big day. The election will be over soon. After tomorrow, the madness will finally end. Yay! We can all celebrate and get back to normal. Or can we?

The unfortunate truth is that every time one madness ends, another begins. That's just the way of our world. There's always something. Something to be mad about. Something to upset us. Something to distract us. Something to divert our attention. Something to tire us. Some of these things will be genuine, while others will be manufactured. But regardless of what it is or how real it is, it's coming. One madness will end, and another begin.

Here's our problem. We often postpone the things we need to do - and want to do - until after the madness ends. The timing isn't ideal; there are too many unknowns. Thus, we'll just wait. After xyz happens, it will be better. Once that thing is over, life will get back to "normal." Maybe then will be a good time to start that thing we really want to do! Oh wait, once one madness ends, another begins.

Yes, this election is going to be over soon (thankfully!). But the next version of madness is just around the corner. We can keep kicking the can on our dreams, goals, and aspirations, or we can simply get to work. Don't wait for the madness to end.....because it won't.

To the family waiting until they have a little more discretionary income to begin paying off debt, just start.

To the family waiting until “things don’t feel so weird” to begin investing, just start.

To the family waiting for their income to feel more stable to begin giving, just start.

To the family trying to hoard as much money as possible before “retiring” into work that actually matters, just go.

To the person waiting until the timing is “just right” to launch their business, just start.

This is me walking to the mound and placing the ball in your glove. Let's go!

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Don’t Forget Your Real Goals

The kids had their first two basketball games yesterday. We were overmatched and went 0-2 on the day. It would be easy to get discouraged by that outcome, but doing so would mean I forgot the real goal. Sure, I would have loved to win the games.....winning is fun! But winning these random Saturday second-grade games isn't my primary objective. I see how much these boys have improved since June. One little man could barely get the ball up to the hoop just four months ago, and he got a bucket yesterday! Massive strides! Even in the last three weeks, I can tell the kids have a stronger bond with each other and are picking up the flow of the game. I'm not going to let a few surface-level goals cloud my gratitude for the real goals.

This story reminds me of a similar type of situation that plays out daily in my coaching world. I'll share one example. A couple approached me several years ago, desiring to create more freedom for their life. Finances felt tight, and both spouses were tied to jobs they loathed. One had a dream for a big career shift, and the other aspired to one day stay at home with their kids (who weren't yet born).

Their next steps were clear:

• Get on an intentional budget.

• Pay off their $100,000 of non-mortgage debt (primarily student loans, cars, and credit cards).

• Simplify their lifestyle (including downsizing their cars and/or house).

I can excitedly report that this couple got extremely intentional on their budgeting and aggressively paid off their debt. In a shockingly quick span, they had become debt-free, and their monthly financial overhead decreased dramatically!

In the coaching meeting immediately following this big accomplishment, we celebrated their hard-earned achievements. What would they do with their newly created freedom? I was hoping she would begin her transition home (since they now had a baby!), and perhaps he would solidify his career transition plan. Nope, I was wrong. Instead, they decided to refocus their intensity on saving and investing. Now, instead cutting the budget lean to pay off debt, they would maintain a lean budget and direct those resources to aggressively saving. He stayed at his crappy job because it paid well, and it "made more financial sense" for her to forego stay-at-home-mom life (throwing her literal dream away). All for the sake of more money.

I reminded them of what their real goal was: create more freedom. They took all those intentional steps and accomplished those specific goals so that they would experience more freedom. Now that they have said freedom, however, they were essentially throwing it away. Why? All in the name of "continued financial progress." They liked making progress and seeing their numbers improve. It felt intoxicating. Therefore, they were taking the materialistic path in the meaning vs. money fork in the road. They forgot the plot. They lost sight of their real goal.

For as much as I'd like to thumb my nose at this couple and judge them for their decision, that would be hypocritical of me. We've all been there! We're human, after all.

Remember to ask yourself what your real goals are. Yes, financial goals can be fun goals, and rewarding to accomplish them. But remember the real goals! Remember why you really set those goals. Don't forget the plot. Don't lose sight of what matters most.

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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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None of Us Really Know What We're Doing

I had a fantastic meeting with two women yesterday who are interested in starting a business. They are each accomplished in their own right and carry themselves with a strong sense of calling and purpose. The passion they have for their work and prospective business is palpable.

As we dove into some of the particulars of starting and running a business, I could tell one of the women was a bit self-conscious about her business acumen. She's absolutely brilliant and successful at her craft, but the business side of things is new-ish to her. Sensing how she felt about this, I added the following regarding business owners: "Don't worry. None of us really know what we're doing. We're just in different stages of figuring it out."

I hadn't actually thought about that until it escaped my mouth, but it's so true! Business owners know nothing....until they know something. And the only way they know something is by doing something they didn't know how to do. It's the ultimate in discomfort. Even Elon Musk, one of the greatest business people of our time, has done everything in his career for the first time at one point or another.

I think most business owners would share the same sentiment if willing to be honest and humble. None of this is easy, but it gets easier as we gain experience. Discomfort turns into experience, which unlocks new discomforts. It's a beautiful, terrible cycle. It's not for everyone, but I love it so much.

I think this woman needed to hear that yesterday, and I suspect some of you do as well. Don't be so hard on yourself. You don't know what you don't know, and there's only one way to change that.

I couldn't be more excited about the ideas these two women shared with me. The potential impact is great, and the passion is real. I have no idea where they will take this, but wherever it goes, I'll absolutely be cheering them on every step of the way!

Please don't be afraid to meet the world with what you currently have to offer. You're better today than you were yesterday, and tomorrow, you'll be better than you were today. "Don't worry. None of us really know what we're doing. We're just in different stages of figuring it out."

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Respecting Younger You

I have a seared-in memory of a youth group conversation that happened many years ago. One of the girls excitedly told the group that she had just received her new iPhone earlier that day. Mid-sentence, one of her friends interrupted, "Wait, didn't you just get a new phone a few months ago?"

"Yeah, I did, but that one broke"

Another kid pops in, "This is like your third phone this school year."

"Well, fourth. They keep breaking, so I need to replace them."

Another guy jumps into the discussion. "My dad told me that if I ever break my phone, I'm responsible for buying a new one."

The original girl was shocked. "That's terrible! You'll never be able to pay for a phone on your own. That's not fair!"

I looked at the guy and asked, "How many times have you ever broken your phone?"

"Never! I can't afford to. I'm very careful." The answer I was expecting!

There's a lot to be learned from this story. It's a story of entitlement, ownership, personal responsibility, and cause and effect.

_____________________

As I picked Finn and Pax up from their band practice last night, I witnessed Finn quickly turn 180 degrees, nearly causing his electric guitar to collide with the corner of a concrete wall. If he were standing two inches closer, we would have had a disaster on our hands.

As we got in the car, I explained to him that he needed to be more careful. He replied, "Well, if something happens to my guitar, we can just buy me a new one."

"If you break your guitar, you're responsible for buying a new one, Finn."

"What!?!? That's not fair. I don't have that much money."

"Well, you better be careful. I'll show you a better way to hold it when you're not playing it, but the responsibility to take care of it is yours."

_____________________

Cause and effect is a wonderful teacher; it's also a humbling one. When handling our finances and the possessions purchased with said finances, it's imperative that we steward it well. We shouldn't covet our money or things, but we ought to respect it. Kids struggle with this, but so do many adults. We're quick to blow money, break things, spend money on things we don't care bout, lose things, continue unused subscriptions, incur needless banking fees, rack up interest, and countless other mindless anti-stewardship actions.

Again, this isn't about penny-pinching, idolizing, or hoarding. It's about honoring the fruits of our labor and making the best use of our resources. Remember, every dollar you spend on something you don't care about is one dollar you can't spend on something you do. Therefore, be thoughtful, be intentional, and ensure you're paying proper respect for the work younger you put in to earn those resources.

Oh yeah, and have a great day!

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Lessons From a Second-Grader

I remember the first summer league open gym I hosted for Finn and Pax's team this summer. For most (if not all) of these kids, this was their first club basketball experience. Some had played some version of Parks and Recreation before, but this was different. Besides, they were seven-year-olds who just finished first grade a few weeks prior. I think my first ever organized sport might have been fourth-grade basketball, so this was young young.

One particular kid looked anxious. I could tell this was all new to him, and it didn't necessarily come naturally to him. But it was clear he wanted to give it his best effort, which he absolutely did. After practice wrapped up, he approached me: "Coach, what's one thing I did good, and one thing I can work on before next practice?"

I was floored! I wasn't expecting anything like this to happen, so he caught me off-guard. I thought for a minute and provided the most constructive feedback possible. As we walked into the gym a few days later, he approached me again. "I've been working on xyz like you told me." Sure enough, I could tell he had already grown in that area. After practice, he pulled me aside and asked the same question as the prior practice. One thing he did good, and one thing he can work on. I wasn't expecting him to do it again, but I wasn't as flat-footed with my answer this time.

He's asked me the same two questions every single time we've played ball together.....maybe 20 times now. Funny thing, I now think about his two questions as the night progresses, anticipating that moment. Without fail, he seeks me out after practice. I owe him sincere feedback, and I always provide it to him.

Want to know how powerful this is? He's probably grown more as a player these last five months than any kid out there. He sincerely internalizes all of my feedback and works to implement it. He's tremendously coachable, and I love that about him. Today, he doesn't appear anxious when he steps onto the court. He has confidence and a determination about him. I'm excited to see him play in his first game on Saturday. It's going to be a cool experience, and I have no doubt he'll continue to get better each and every time he steps onto the court.

I think we should all approach life like this young man, with curiosity and a sincere desire to grow. To make ourselves vulnerable for the hard-to-hear feedback. Not for the purpose of dragging us down, but rather to help us climb higher. There's no doubt I'd be better at so many things in life if I had the courage to take his approach.

Maybe it's time for me (and you) to start asking the hard questions. If we do, I suspect we'll grow and improve far more than we ever have. It's always humbling to be taught lessons by young kids, but then again, we all have so much to learn.

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Pull Your Levers Wisely

Years ago, I read something that transformed the way I view restaurants. The author explained that every dining establishment has three possible levers to pull:

• Great product: high food quality

• Great prices: self-explanatory

• Great location: some combination of neighborhood, access, scenery/views, and the physical space.

If a restaurant pulls only one, it’s a bad business and will quickly fail.

If a restaurant pulls all three, it will probably fail as well, as it won’t have sustainable margins. Think about a cafe right on the boardwalk along the ocean. Amazing views and killer vibe…..that’s probably expensive real estate. Their food is amazing….top quality. Their prices are extremely affordable, borderline customer robbery. This combination will attract a massive audience, but it doesn’t have legs; it will eventually fizzle.

Therefore, all restaurants must choose two, and can choose whatever two they want.

They can choose a great location, killer food, and high prices. This is the model of a high-end restaurant.

They can choose a great location, marginal food, and reasonable prices. This is your typical tourist trap dining experience.

They can choose a sub-par location, crush the food, and offer reasonable prices. This is what I refer to as hole-in-the-wall gems.

If I have a vote, I ALWAYS choose door #3. I don’t need great views, swanky neighborhoods, or fancy furnishings. I just need mind-blowing food at a decent price.

If I were to inventory my favorite restaurants, it’s not an impressive list of buildings or locations. The kind of buildings most people would be scared to enter. Neighborhoods that are difficult to get to or not where I’d hang on a Saturday afternoon.

Though it’s the restaurants who are pulling these levers, it’s we, consumers, who are pulling our own levers when we decide which establishments to visit. The businesses can’t have all three, and neither can we (well, unless we hit up that amazing beachside cafe before it goes out of business).

This idea has fundamentally changed the way I dine, but It’s also changed the way I view most things in life. There is no magic bullet. There’s no free pass. We can’t always have our cake and eat it, too. We must make these lever-pulling decisions in accordance with our values. There are only so many levers we can pull, so pull wisely.

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What It’s Really About

I've been hearing the wildest comments, feedback, and word-of-mouth referrals about the blog lately, and I say that in the most positive sense. I never take those kind words for granted, and it fuels me to create something meaningful each and every day. I share this because one particular story stood out a few days ago.

No, it's not the one where my friend told me she's "addicted" to reading my blog each morning, though that comment absolutely made my week!

And it's not the one where someone recently said he starts his day with three things: "A coffee, the Bible, and reading The Daily Meaning." Again, wow!

It's this one. A friend recently shared that he occasionally forwards my blog posts to his wife, encouraging her to sign up. But she's not one to care much about reading a daily money blog. Eventually, she relented and signed up, which I'm assuming was so she wouldn't have to listen to him talk about it anymore. My friend's recent feedback: "She likes it because it's not always about money!"

I love this, and she's so right. I would take it a step further and suggest that it's never actually about money. Well, it kinda is, but money is NEVER about money; it's always about something bigger. While it's true that we need to earn enough money to provide basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, and transportation), money is much more valuable than whatever dollars and cents are attached to it. Money, and how we perceive and handle it, is a reflection of our values, principles, and aspirations. In other words, it's an extension of us and what makes us tick.

It reminds me of a quote I heard long ago: "Show me your checkbook and I'll show you what's really important to you." It's so true! How we perceive and handle our money is an honest reflection of what we actually value (not what we say we value).

Money has the power to do great evil....or world-changing good.

Money has the power to add value to our lives....or rob us of it.

Money has the power to fulfill your wants......or others' needs.

Money has the power to create much stress and tension......or be humbly filled with gratitude.

Money has the power to fuel our desire for more......or walk with a posture of contentment.

Money has the power to become an idol.....or be used to glorify the one true idol.

So yeah, while money will absolutely continue to come up (it's what I do for a living!), it's never really about money. I'm so grateful my friend shared this story with me. It's a reminder to us all that money is NEVER about money; it's always about something bigger.

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Author Unknown

I've had a great few days in Houston, spending time with one of my clients. The days have been long but rewarding. I'll be in their office again today and tomorrow, returning home late Monday night. I'm grateful for the opportunity to add value to their business, and I am glad we could get creative with our schedules.

Given how tired I am, I was running short on writing inspiration. That's when I opened my blog inspiration folder in my Notes app. It's stocked full of thoughts, ideas, and concepts for future brainstorming. But something in particular caught my eye. It was just a few sentences, but I can't figure out where it came from. I did a terrible job notating the context of this one. Here's what my note said:

"Accepting generosity, accepting appreciation, and accepting recognition are all related. As difficult as it can be to accept them, rejecting them can be a symptom of false humility and reminds me of one of my favorite quotes - "Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying." St. Vincent de Paul. Accept generosity, appreciation, and recognition when they're true and pure."

Did I write this? It's something I believe, but the sentence structure is a bit different than my style. Did Gary Hoag write this? It definitely seems like something he'd say, but I can't find any matches on his daily blog. Did Ryan Schon write this? This St. Vincent de Paul quote is embedded in Ryan's Twitter bio! But if he wrote it, I can't figure out where I pulled it from. Did I pull it out of a book? If so, there's zero chance I'll figure it out. Oh well, it shall remain a mystery.

Regardless of the source, there's so much beauty, power, and wisdom in this text. Many may find it convicting. Oddly enough, it's much, much easier to be generous than to accept the generosity of others. I know so many giving-minded people who are incapable of accepting gifts (physical or otherwise). They insist on being only on one side of the giving ledger. That's called pride, perhaps leaking into arrogance.

This is one of the many things Gary Hoag taught me nearly a decade ago. I can't be a truly generous person until I learn to sincerely receive generosity from others. After all, receiving generosity is an act of generosity in itself; you're giving the other person the opportunity to be a blessing. Rejecting the gift is the same as stomping out their generous spirit, which is a form of anti-generosity.

I think many people will struggle with this idea today. Good! Let's be challenged. Allow this to push your comfort zone. Doing so is essential in this journey toward a more generous life. Have an amazing day!

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First, Do It Poorly

I was sitting in a crowded bar with a buddy, each of us sipping on an old fashioned. We were casually chatting about football. Can the Cyclones run the table? Are the Bears actually decent? How do the Chiefs keep ripping off wins despite a growing number of injuries? 

Then, without notice, his demeanor changed. He became much more serious, almost sad. He confessed that he and his wife have struggled with money for many years. Or, as he put it, "neither one of us is any good with money." I had lots of questions:

"Do you two budget?" 

"No. Never have."

"Are you investing?"

"No. We don't know how."

"Are you giving?"

"Not a chance."

"Do you save money each month?"

"No. We live paycheck to paycheck."

"Do you talk to each other about finances?"

"Never."

The theme was clear. They aren't good at these things, so they simply don't do them. They've opted out, citing incompetence.

It reminds me of Finn and Pax's basketball team, a bunch of second-grade boys. I started working with these boys early in the summer; they were terrible! Well, in their defense, they were seven and had barely ever played before. It was all new to them. Dribbling. Passing. Shooting. Defense. Rebounding. Picking. Many could barely get the ball up to the hoop. 

Today, though, they are so much better! They seem much more confident on the court. They have a better feel for the game. They understand the principles. Their first game is next weekend, and I'm so excited to see how it goes. Will they win? No idea. But I do know one thing: they are far better today than when we started playing in June.

Here's a concept that applies to all areas of life: First, we must do it poorly. Then, we get to do it ok. Later, we get to become good. Eventually, we have the opportunity to be great. But it all starts with our willingness to be terrible.

These little boys don't understand this concept....they are little boys. But that's exactly what's happening. Each practice, they try, and fail.....try, and fail again. Little by little, they go from being terrible to being ok, then good, and maybe one day great. It's all part of the journey.

There's no world in which one of these little boys walks up to me and says, "Well, I'm not as good as Steph Curry, so I might as well quit." That would be insane. Yet, we adults do it every day. If we don't know how to do something, we simply concede we've lost that battle. Instead, let's endeavor to do it poorly. Budget poorly. Invest poorly. Give poorly. Save poorly. Communicate poorly. Doing it poorly is the gateway to great. But don't opt out! Don't take your ball and go home. Have the courage of my seven-year-olds. Be willing to fail. Be willing to be bad. Be willing to get a little better each day.

First, do it poorly.

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