The passage of time gets more real every year. So, this year, I decided to take good care of my health. That led me to seek out every medical exam under the sun, from a standard physical exam to extensive blood work, and even the dreaded colonoscopy – the works! For anyone that knows me, this is a big deal as I am NOT one to get sick or go to doctors. But, at 47, I want to make sure I will be here for another 47. As I reflect on that, on the age of my children, the age […]

Is it Thanksgiving or thanks for giving? I think people often forget what it means to actually be thankful. This time of year, as we just finished Thanksgiving and we’re all looking to close out 2024 on a high note, I encourage you to keep in mind how important it is to be thankful. Account for all the things we have and enjoy with gratitude every day. But I urge you to focus not only on all of the things that have gone well or the abundance in your life, but all of the challenges and things that have not […]

I was with clients of mine earlier this week. We went over their investments and, in general, how they were doing. They shared the birth of their most recent grandchild and how that has been going. They were able to rent a house just a few doors down from her, and they told me how happy that made them and the family. Then, as we were getting ready to wrap up our Zoom, Anna stopped me and said, “Jeremy, we need to say thank you to you and your team.” “No worries,” I said. “It was our pleasure.” She then said, […]

No fire, no food. No drive, no results. No pain, no pleasure. True or not, I felt like a nobody growing up. I never felt special or wanted. As a boy, I was shy and afraid; I had zero confidence. Then, one day, the light bulb went off. Enough! I realized that no one was going to do it for me. No one was coming to save me. I had to be the hero of my own story. ONLY I COULD DO IT. I started telling myself over and over: I am good. I am ok. I will succeed. I […]

He committed 56 errors in his third season during single-A with the Greensboro Hornets. He booted, bobbled, and bumbled just about every ball that was hit his way, setting an inauspicious South Atlantic League record. Scouts considered him a long shot to ever be a big leaguer – or even find success in the minors. After all, he struggled with just about every aspect of his game, including at the plate. In his second full year of the minors – and first with the Yankees’ affiliate – he hit only .203. By all metrics, Derek just couldn’t find it. But […]

Consider this… Is the correct order: goal, then consistency, then clarity? Or… Is it clarity of goal that brings consistency of behavior? I would argue the latter; clarity of goal produces consistent behavior. Once one has a clear vision of the goal and the road ahead, clearly defining the why behind the goal, then the consistency around the behavior follows. When you’re in the gym, what is the focus? Is it “I just want to maintain?” Or “I need to lose some weight and get stronger and leaner?” Or “I am focused on looking and feeling “X,” therefore I will […]

When innovation meets observation, you have a winning combination. I recently started using a device called Plaud.ai for note transcription. Now, we have seen so many different types of AI options out there today. Almost daily, we’re seeing new options to help us become more efficient, save time, and deliver a better product or experience. However, there are also some legitimate concerns about whether they will make suggestions to our thought process, corrupting their efficacy. What I can say is that if used correctly, these AI tools do allow us to connect with people on a deeper and higher level. During […]

I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships recently. Specifically, I’ve been reflecting on friendships and business acquiantances from my past that I no longer have today. Some of them ended for good reason. Others just because they seemingly ran their course. But I was reminded that things do end. Not everything is forever – nor should it be. While it is important to reflect and mourn the past, I also believe that it is extremely important to acknowledge the mistakes one makes along the way. We (and I) need to own those mistakes – and expect the same in return. After all, […]

I recently read an article about an Irish billionaire whose goal in life was to give all of his wealth away. Charles F Feeney wanted to give away his billions to good causes while he was still living and die bouncing his last check – and he actually did it. Born in 1931 in New Jersey to Irish immigrant parents, Feeney’s views of money were greatly shaped by the lessons of the Great Depression. During his life, he built a fortune selling duty-free luxury goods, amassing a multi-billion-dollar fortune. Despite his immense wealth, Feeney lived a simple, humble life with […]

“S&P Could jump another 5% this year, Goldman says. Expect volatility first.” “S&P, Dow, Nasdaq end lower, oil jumps 5% as Middle East conflict stokes supply concerns.” “The Dow drops 200 points as inflation fears are back.” “U.S. port strike ends but clearing long ship queues will take time.”  “Stocks rally after monster jobs report beat, Dow up 200 points.”  “U.S. hiring accelerated in September, blowing past expectations.” These are ALL headlines I saw online within just the last 24 hours. And they are all from “reputable” news sources, all reporting “facts” about the economy. So, what is the takeaway? […]