If you’re surrounded by the right people, you can’t help but feel supported, inspired, and motivated to be your best self. I was reminded of this again last night at dinner. My coach said something to me that has really helped me focus on the right stuff, “Do you ever feel like your head is getting in the way?” I know I do. Too often, I find myself focusing on the negative, really struggling to get back on track. So, I started using this little trick to get my thoughts back to the “sunny side of the street.”  Whatever negative […]

Needs versus wants. Sometimes the line between the two can get blurry. For instance, I used to drink 10 or 12 shots of espresso a day. Every day! For those who know me, that probably makes no sense given how wired I am naturally. Funny story: Years ago, my assistant thought she would be slick by swapping out my espresso for decaf. It was a complete failure – I always knew it wasn’t the real thing (she still says I didn’t, but I did!). So, recently, I decided to stop all caffeine. I had some espresso on a Sunday morning […]

“This is what it’s all about,” he said. “This is why I pay you your fees.” I listened. “J.D., it’s not the performance – which has been great – or the wonderful dinners,” he continued. “It’s the ability to speak with you about anything and have you listen and advise. You have become my confidante.” This is what great advisors do. We advise. We listen. We guide. It is NOT about short-term returns, although those are important. It’s about giving long-term counsel, keeping them on track to hit their goals, while always adjusting to life. Those are the real results people want! This […]

“We don’t see you enough,” my client and good friend said to me. “But have I fallen flat with any of my promises?” I asked. “No, not at all. And we know you’re busy. We just appreciate all the advice over the years and love having you check in,” they said. That’s it, isn’t it? It’s not a negative thing when people want you to reach out more when they want YOU. They just want to feel like you haven’t forgotten them. This is especially true as our clients and friends get older. They have less going on but more to worry […]

Years ago, my good friend Doug had a golf tournament for our office called the DVI. It was great. It was in La Quinta and all the guys came together for several days, playing golf, smoking cigars, and having great dinners. Just hanging out with one another and being together. Like many things in life, over time it came and went, and that incredible event ended some years ago. But for me, the memories remain, as I am sure they do for others. At the time, many of us were young and barely able to afford the golf, let alone the beautiful […]

Scott was incredible. Hard working. An accomplished pilot. A thrill seeker! He was also successful in the music business and a builder of businesses. Scott was fearless and a great leader. When I first met Scott, I knew this kid was going places. He was young and hungry and wanted to start saving as much as he could so that he could have the life he wanted. He wanted to buy the plane(s) that he would fly! And buy the hangar, too! Not just things but to put himself in a place to retire by 50, he would say often. When investing or saving, […]

A dear friend and coach, Chuck, has often spoken about the need to “re-program” your brain to get ahead. Re-programming is a necessity to get past self-limiting behavior, the stuff that holds you back. I never fully understood what he was talking about until recently. You see, I’ve started thinking more about where I am now and where I came from. Growing up in this business, really from age 15, working in a boiler room, and then starting full-time at 17, builds habits that in many ways are great. But, in some ways, it builds habits that are also very limiting. […]

“The last 15 years have been the best 15 years of my life,” he said via text. “Sell everything and enjoy!” That was the message my client and good friend’s brother-in-law sent to his wife just prior to taking his life two weeks ago. So, why do I share this? We all must learn to talk. We all must learn to express. We all must learn to reach out and ask for help at times. This man chose to leave behind his wife and five children, nieces, nephews, and countless others. Clearly, he was experiencing pain that no one can […]

How do you know how to get somewhere without a map? I played golf with a good friend this week.  He and his son are best friends.  He makes all his golf tournaments, picks him up from school most days and they hang out. I would not say that I am either of my kid’s best friend (or even favorite parent!). I struggle with the simplest of things with them.  Hanging out.  Playing with them enough.  Just understanding what kids need. I did not have a road map for that. My father did not show me how to do that.  […]

“Thanks for flying American. Just a reminder that American Airlines has a quiet cabin policy. This means that when using your phone or any device, you must use earbuds when listening. This allows other passengers to enjoy their flight. Thank you for your cooperation,” the flight attendant announced over the plane’s loudspeaker. DO PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THIS?! How often do you see people using their speaker phone when they are having a conversation, for all around to hear versus simply picking up and using the handset? When did so many lose their understanding of proper manners? Of […]