Category: Uncategorized

Thankful for Focus, Self-Analysis, & Another Morning Run

Day 3,649

Growth:

Cut out all the distractions, put 100% focus into the task at hand, be amazed at how quickly you can slip into a flow state – even when it is something you typically don’t enjoy! Working on a project today reminded me of how important all of those components are and how they all work in unison to generate a very fulfilling and productive result.

Appreciation:

Each night before bed I pause and fill out a scorecard for the day. Yes, totally nerdy, but 100+% more effective than I realized!

Knowing I’ll be tracking and scoring myself late leads to behavior change on its own, a very positive and worthwhile endeavor there on its own.

What is really interesting to me is how much that daily tracking has become an unintentional journaling process which is helping me learn more about myself! As I analyzed my scorecard results form this year I learned some very interesting things. Here are some of those:

  • Joy spikes with people + nature + progress. Your +2 days almost always include one or more of: time with Becky/your boys, outside time/hiking/van days, and meaningful progress (training teammates, closing new clients, backpacking planning, sunrise hunting).
  • Joy dips with screens, over-packed weeks, and “drift.” Your -1/-2 entries regularly mention doomscrolling/screens/games, driving/commutes, too many meetings, sleep debt, being sick, and negativity (politics, conflict, or misaligned teammates/clients).
  • Intentional eating ≈ better days. When you log +1/+2 eating, Joy is typically ≥1. When eating is -1/-2, your notes often include “felt gross,” “junk food,” or “no exercise.”
  • Sleep is a quiet accelerator. The happiest streaks show ~7.5–9.0 hours. Sub-7 shows up around “exhausted / grumpy / mid.”
  • Movement helps—but being outdoors multiplies it. Plenty of +2 days have 60–180 min of activity, but the best ones call out woods, hiking, sunrise, van days—not just gym minutes.
  • Creative time correlates with meaning. Your best stretches include 1–3+ creative hours, especially when you’re writing, planning trips, or building trainings that become shared experiences.

More on this to follow as we near the end of the year!

Presence:

Running under the stars, feeling the cool air in my lungs, moving early in the morning. The early morning run was another win today! Nothing quite like it – being outside, quiet time with Becky, the world is asleep. We move through the darkness and are serenaded by the frogs and crickets. What else does one really need to live a joyful life? Time outdoors in motion and present in each moment.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Accomplishing Dreams, My Annual Planning Framework, & Enjoying My Summer Project

Day 3,648

Growth:

There are few things more enjoyable than accomplishing a dream. One of the most enjoyable and rewarding is helping someone else accomplish theirs.

Appreciation:

Today I’m grateful for a process I’ve been leaning into more and more lately. It started as a way to bring a little structure to my year, but over time it’s become something much bigger, a framework that keeps me intentionally focused on my dreams and purpose.

The simple act of writing things down, checking back in, and re-aligning when I drift has been powerful. It’s helped me catch myself when I’m on autopilot and instead steer back toward the life I actually want to build.

I appreciate not just the process itself, but what it represents – clarity, consistency, and a reminder that growth doesn’t happen by accident. And as much as it’s already helping me, I can’t help but feel excited about re-working it into something I can share with others. If it’s making this much of a difference for me, maybe it could spark something for someone else too.

Presence:

This evening my summer project became one of my happy places. Sitting outside on the deck, relaxing and listening to music, reading, soaking in the slowly shifting sunset, enjoying stillness. This has felt amazing! The weather is perfect, the old school filament lights are on, and I’m enjoying the calm. Not sure why, but the fresh air just feels so much better than being inside all day. What a perfect place to spend most of my evening!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Not Letting It Slip Away, Intentionally Living Towards Dream, & Moving Stillness

Day 3,647

Growth:

Remember to put intentionality into where I spend my time. Minutes, hours, and days slip by so quickly if I don’t pause and consider whether I’m intentionally using the them the right way. Stay focused on my goals – both long and short term – and act accordingly with urgency. Don’t let it slip away.

One day, my father, he told me, “Son, don’t let it slip away”
He took me in his arms, I heard him say
“When you get older, your wild heart will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you’re afraid”

Avicii, The Nights

Appreciation:

Along the lines of remembering what is important – I am especially grateful for taking action to do just that today! Between scheduling a weekend for camping with a lifelong friend, choosing to be present and moving early in the morning, taking time to shut down everything except playing a game with Gavin, being focused and present in a conversation with Dominic on Facetime, being there for others as needed, and planning ahead for an adventure (maybe two) I spent a lot of time on working towards where I want to be going, on my purpose, and towards my dreams. Here’s to a day that was largely focused on moving forward with intentionality with a whole lot of fun in the now throughout!

Presence:

Taking the time to go for a five mile walk to start off the morning is always the right answer (unless I’m either running or hiking or yoga is an option). Getting up and getting moving, spending time without a phone or a screen, alternating between interacting with Becky and letting my thoughts drift. It’s almost a walking meditation, letting go of everything else and living exclusively in the now.

Regardless of the decisions I’ll make throughout the rest of the day I know I started the right way, I chose action, and I chose moving stillness.

Thanks!!

Thankful for Game Day with Friends

Day 3,646

Had a great game day with some buddies as I went to my first Badger game! From a 5am wake up call until getting home just before 11pm it was a day full of laughs and engaging conversations with much more than a smattering of college memories being relived. also amazing to spend that much time with friends with minimal phone screens – usually only out to joke with other friends or to look up the facts behind some of the “facts” we thought we were spewing at times.

Off to bed, this was a fun one, but a very exhausting one!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for 20 Mile Marches, Bonus Time Utilization, & a Frog and a Dog

Day 3,645

Growth:

Jim Collins’ concept of a 20 Mile March is that we should focus on maintaining a rigorous yet manageable pace in the work that we do. Today I felt the downside of pushing too hard for too long, the week was a hardcore push and had very positive results, but I was completely gassed a little before I crossed the finish line.

Something for me to remember to work towards, keep an even flow throughout the week as much as possible, the more intense the beginning the more likely I’ll be less than 100% by the end.

Appreciation:

Sometimes we’ve got a football game for Gavin, other times it gets postponed due to lightning 🤷‍♂️

Due to the postponement we’ve got some bonus time on our hands this evening and I’ve made wonderful use of it – relaxing, writing this, and heading to bed early.

We can’t control what happens, but we can control how we utilize the bonus time!

Presence:

Couple of great moments from this morning included a small green tree frog jumping on my toe and a sunrise with Leia.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Assuming Positive Intent, Music Therapy, & Connectedness

Day 3,644

Growth:

So often all we need is all around us, it is up to us to LISTEN for the answer. I was caught off guard while re-reading one of my favorite books today. They very briefly hit upon the concept of “Assuming positive intent,” and the profoundly positive impact this can have on our lives and interactions.

Rather than immediately assuming “the other side” is trying to destroy our nation/world what if we instead paused and considered their actions/words from the starting point of assuming positive intent. Why are they responding as they are? What is the underlying issue leading them down this path? Quite often it is likely similar to our own reasons – just executed differently. If we assume positive intent we can more easily listen to understand rather than listen to prove wrong.

This will be in the forefront of my mind – assume positive intent before being so quick to judge.

Appreciation:

Part way through my drive up north this morning I realized I needed some music therapy for my soul. I like to utilize my drive time as learning time, focusing on how to improve myself with what could so easily be dead time rather than alive time. I feel more productive when I spend the time filling my brain with ideas, pausing to digest and consider what I’ve learned.

This morning I needed to spend some time in quiet calm, listening to music to relax my mind and soul. It was time for some therapy, some rejuvenation. I found it in music. For almost half an hour I went from song to song to soak up the energy I needed to feel recharged and ready for the day.

By the time I got to the office my head and heart were in the right palce to dive in and make a positive impact.

Presence:

With so much discontent and anger and hate and divisiveness in our world I found sanctuary and solace in M83’s song Outro.

While driving to the Eau Claire office this morning I almost had to pull the car over as I was completely overcome with the emotion of pure love and connectedness with all people and all creation while this song reached its crescendo.

Pause your life, shut everything else off, turn on this song, close your eyes, and feel the love and connection you have with all people. I hope you will be moved as I was – awakened in the love of the connections we all share.

When it is my time to go this song (from 1:30 on) will be the last music my soul plays before moving on. Beautiful, breathtaking.

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Feeling Uncomfortable, Outstanding Teams, & Catching Up

Day 3,643

Growth:

This evening I am appreciative for the people who are able to help us pause, reflect, and consider different perspectives. They challenge us in a very positive way, and it is greatly appreciated!

Appreciation:

Getting back to a work team and seeing how well they work together, live the values, and grow into our purpose was so rewarding and invigorating! I cannot begin to share how grateful I am for the way my teams have continued to step up and grow into our purpose.

Presence:

Getting my run in with Becky after a long couple of days and short night of sleep felt way better than it had any right to. After not being home for a couple of nights it was amazing to spend time running with her and catching up with her on the past couple of days.

Hopping on FaceTime and catching up with Dominic on everything he has had going on throughout the week was awesome! So much fun hearing about his classes and all he has going on. Definitely not the same as when he was living at home, but a wonderful second choice. I’m deeply appreciative for the opportunity to spend time connecting with him even though he’s hours away.

Spending time with Gavin catching up with how his school day has been over dinner was wonderful! Hearing about his school, upcoming exams, football practice, and whatnot – always interesting to hear about. Then catching some time on couch talking with him while we watch his favorite show and bond over it.

A day full of moments of catching up with my favorite people!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for Simple & Steady, Road Time, and Reconnection

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!!!

Thankful for Decisive, Reading, & a Client Meeting

Day 3,641

Growth:

Over a dozen years ago I read Decisive by Dan & Chip Heath, a book about how to make better decisions. This morning I picked it back up and started reading it again for the first time in about four years.

As I worked my way through the first few chapters I was shocked to see how many of the concepts I have applied to my life without directly realizing it! From the ways I attempt to widen my perspective to remembering to consider opportunity to attaining distance I was surprised to see just how much of a positive impact this book has had on my life.

Appreciation:

Interesting, I was going to go in a wildly different direction on this one until I typed the above paragraphs. What really sticks out today for a variety of reasons is my gratitude for learning to love reading and growth!

For many years I’ve been consuming at least three to four dozen books (almost nine dozen in some years). They keep me thinking, exploring new concepts, and help to keep me off balanced and exploring. The majority leave a lasting impact, some have become a part of who I am. Others have pissed me off as they’ve helped me see something from a perspective that makes me uncomfortable in the moment – but ultimately help me grow as a person.

I cannot begin to fathom how much more positive my life has been thanks to reading!

Presence:

Spending time in an appointment getting to know a prospect well with my teammates was nothing short of splendid! I was 100% focused in those moments, nothing else existed beyond that conference room. Sharing the moment with my teammates was amazing!!!

Thanks!!!

Thankful for a Small World, a Busy Work Week, & Family Meals

Day 3,640

Growth:

The world is such a smaller place than we think it is. We met the partner of one of our friends for the first time today while we were out on a hike together. Within ten minutes we found a couple of very clear connections we had through other people – it was wild!

This past week I mentioned the focus on connecting with others, crazy to see how much easier it can be when we have a very easy yet solid starting ground.

Appreciation:

I’ve got a sales leadership training this week and was getting everything packed up today. I’m reminded of how much I appreciate not traveling for work very often. Back in the day there would be some hotel stays and long days of driving 5+ hours on a regular basis. So much travel time, so much time away from home and family. Now this is very much the minority, even the driving has been decreased tremendously.

This next week is going to be pretty bonkers – lots of travel, a hotel stay, back to back to back meetings on multiple days. That said, I’m still smiling at the reminder of how crazy life used to be with regularity. This is a blip, not the norm, and I’m grateful for that!

Presence:

Each lunch and supper this weekend included the entire family thanks to Dominic being back home for a short visit. So nice being able to spend time around the dinner table together, talking, laughing, and enjoying each others company. While there were many moments of presence today it was each of these times together which really shine in mind and soul this evening!

Thanks!!!