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.