Day 3,642

Growth

The older I get, the more I realize that the simple answers are often the best ones. Success doesn’t usually come from some groundbreaking idea, it comes from discipline. From sticking with the basics, following through, and doing the things we already know we should be doing.

In today’s sales leadership training, I was reminded of that. Every insight, every takeaway, could be traced back to something simple and steady. Nothing flashy, just the fundamentals done well and done consistently. It’s not about reinventing the wheel, it’s about remembering to actually use it.

Appreciation

Today I’m especially thankful for road time. There’s something about being in a car with a teammate, a friend, or family member, just miles of highway in front of you and hours of uninterrupted conversation. That kind of time gives space to share stories, laugh, and understand each other on a deeper level.

This summer held a lot of that for me: road trips with Becky, Dominic, and Gavin out to Colorado… one-on-one time with Gavin as we drove to the Canadian Rockies and back… college visits with Becky and Gavin on the East Coast. Each of those trips gave us hours together that I’ll never forget. And just recently, I had the same experience with a teammate. It wasn’t about work titles or tasks—it was about being people, learning more about each other, joking, and connecting. That quiet focus time is one of the best ways to really grow a relationship.

Presence

Today’s sales leadership training also gave me the gift of presence. Reconnecting with people I’ve known for decades, trainers from headquarters, fellow franchisees, friends I hadn’t seen in a while. Swapping stories, celebrating milestones (including one becoming a first-time dad!), and just laughing together.

Yes, I learned plenty from the training itself. But what stuck with me most was simply being present in those conversations. Hugging an old friend. Listening to someone’s story. Smiling and laughing together. That presence, that shared connection, is what I carried home most today.

Thanks!!!