Of all the lessons I’ve learned in my career, this is the one I want to double down on. It’s the real juice in the squeeze, the place where real happiness is found.

This morning, I had a conversation with my son, who is deep in the trenches of building his business. It had been a brutal week for him—angry customers, a vendor dispute, a difficult client explosion, and then, to top it all off, a sleepless night with a sick newborn at home. He was exhausted and discouraged.

A number of years ago, while at the Wizard Academy, I had the privilege of hearing Roy H. Williams—one of the 10 smartest people I’ve ever met—share a metaphor that changed my perspective forever. With his permission, I want to share it with you.

This year, my wife and I updated our family apparel—yes, we have a family logo! Few things bring me greater joy than watching my grandchildren run into our house, give me a big hug, and point to the logo that symbolizes where they belong.

If we don’t create symbols to help our children, grandchildren, and loved ones know where they fit and belong, they’ll look for it elsewhere. Call it eccentric, call it crazy, I call it brilliant. I refuse to wear corporate brands that don’t align with my values. Instead, we created our own family logo and apparel, gifting updated designs to everyone this Christmas.

A word of wisdom to always live by: Don’t spit on the rainmakers in your life.

 

Who are the rainmakers?

• They’re the people who bring business, opportunities, and referrals to your table.
• They’re the ones who support, uplift, and create connections that fuel success.
• They’re invaluable—not just for the money they bring, but for the trust and goodwill they build.

Let me share a story that painfully illustrates this lesson.

There’s a dramatic difference between motion and momentum—and as we step into the first of the year, it’s a message worth revisiting.

 

Imagine this: You wake up, toss the sheets back on the bed, then fling them off again. You rush to the shower, fiddle with your toothbrush and toothpaste, dash to the kitchen, chop some vegetables, and stash them in the fridge—only to take them out moments later. You pour some milk, put it back, and then, because why not, spin in circles in your living room.

As we step into a new year, many of us fall into the same familiar pattern: setting New Year’s resolutions. It’s a natural time to reflect and dream, but let’s be honest–how many resolutions actually make it past January 17th?

For my wife and me, resolutions often felt more like a rigid to-do list than a source of inspiration. A few years ago, we tried something different that completely changed how we approach the new year: vision boards and life menus.

Where do you get your juice from? And no, I’m not talking about your morning smoothie or the fuel for your body (though that’s certainly important too). I’m talking about something far deeper—the source of your confidence, identity, and mojo. If you’re not drawing that power from within, you’re at the mercy of external influences. Even those you love most can’t supply this for you without it eventually draining you both. Relying on others to “juice you up” is, quite frankly, giving away your power.

One of the greatest lessons I learned early in life actually came from my younger brother, Brett. Brett has lived an incredible life of accomplishment and precision, achieving success both publicly and privately. Growing up, it sometimes frustrated me because, despite being three years younger, he had a talent and tenacity that meant he could beat me at almost everything we tried. But it wasn’t just his natural skill and intellect; it was his unwavering discipline.

There’s so much noise, so much jitter, so much information swirling around us right now that it’s almost impossible not to feel distracted. I want to share the single biggest secret I wish I’d known as a younger, high-energy entrepreneur: slow it down.|