Time. How precious. As we get older, that time seems to get less and less. Is it that time is actually moving faster? or that our experiences are seemingly less and less in the here and now? I seem to see this more in the eyes of my dogs.  My kids.  My mother. I still feel 25 (and some would argue that I act that way, too!). But I am not. We are not. Time is so precious. Before you know it, it’s gone. Enjoy every day and every minute. Just like that it can be taken away from you. […]

“J.D., I’ve decided to retire. After 10 years here, it is time,” Sam said. “I thought the time might be now, so the team has done a bunch of work on your budget and where you are financially,” I said. “I am happy to report all the work we have done together these past 20-plus years has paid off. You are in great shape. You can plan on enjoying this time.” “I must tell you, J.D., that you have been instrumental in all of this and me getting to where I am.  The way you handled my mother. Then, when she passed away, […]

“Pain doesn’t come from comfort.” “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” “If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not growing.” A wise man once said these, and I could not agree more. Whether in the gym, in business, or with your family or friends, when challenges show up, so does growth. IF you are willing to take it head-on, learn from those lessons, and keep moving forward. Harness that feeling. Embrace it. Breathe – get comfortable being uncomfortable. Know that when you come out on the other side, the growth that you have just experienced will bring on the results you have […]

Life gets easier when you start paying attention to what is happening, instead of what you want to happen. We all have wants. I want to be 6’5 and playing professional baseball. But instead, I am who I am. And you know what? I’m good with that. Too often I hear from people all the things that they “should” have.  Or how this person or that person has this or that. You are, good or bad, exactly where you are supposed to be. Be ok with that.  Focus on enhancing that and being just that. Look, life can be hard. I […]

When I’m with my kids, I’m always telling them how incredible they are. How smart they are.  How good they are at sports. I do whatever I can to help bring their confidence up. I want them to always feel their best and be their best. I remember as a kid not feeling as confident. I was shy, never too sure of myself. Looking back, I understand why, I remember writing a letter about one of my grandparents that had passed away and how proud I was of it. My father read it and told me not to be so impressed with myself. […]

What a week it was. We had my son’s 10-year-old birthday party. I had an emergency root canal. We had the 47th presidential inauguration. And about a year’s worth of action and headlines since then. Yet the world keeps spinning. Just amazing that we keep on going. Nothing stops. Life doesn’t slow down for any of us. I share all of this because I think it’s important to remember where each of us were, where we’re going, and where we want to be. As I look at this year and think about the planning that I began the year with, it […]

“The person I look up to most is my daddy,” the essay read. “The reason I do is that he always says, ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’  He always says that people will surprise you, so let them.” We are applying for private school (again!) for my daughter, and she had to write a series of essays about who she is.  One of the questions was who she looks up to. I walked in the kitchen the other day after she had already left for school, and I spotted her essay sitting on the table. I read it […]

In 2008, we went through the credit crisis in the U.S. Markets failed all around the world. People lost their homes, their life savings, businesses failed at record levels, and much more. I remember that year well. It was also the year I got divorced. My income fell by 40%. Business was difficult to say the least. As a leader that had numerous people relying on me, I had some very difficult decisions to make. Should I keep the lifestyle I had become accustomed to, the nice car, dinners out, travel, etc.? Or should I keep my business running against all odds, ensuring a livelihood […]

Jerry Seinfeld said recently at a college commencement speech something that really resonated with me. “Focus on becoming, not having,” the iconic comedian said, addressing the crowd of young, eager graduates. “Having will come as a function of focusing on what you become.” That’s pretty incredible advice. So, as we start 2025, I encourage you to focus on working towards on becoming who and what you want – the best version of you. It’s so interesting to me; we all start the year the same way.  Gyms are packed.  Dry January.  Save more and do better with money. All these […]

As we look at 2024 in the rearview mirror, I thought I would share a story of some time I spent with a client last week. “You’re not like other financial advisors,” she told me. I perked up, wondering where this was going next. “Most advisors that give us referrals are like…ugggh,” she said. “But the people you refer to us are so nice and appreciative.” “Thank you,” I replied. “I like to think of myself as more than just a financial advisor.” She then said, “Yes, you are more like a therapist meets financial guy meets a Rabbi!” I laughed, […]