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? […]

It’s amazing how human connection can cure and satisfy so many of our needs. We’re hardwired to be with others, to search out our tribe. We need that feeling that we are all here together, working towards a common goal, trying to make a difference. In fact, research from Harvard found that strong relationships are the key to living longer and happier lives, with huge physical and mental benefits that magnify as we age. I hosted another episode of our new podcast, One Path to Wealth yesterday. We were on-location in Paso Robles with two of my dear friends and clients, […]

“Daddy, I’m scared and can’t sleep,” my son said at my bedside as he came into my room and woke me. “What’s going on, buddy?” I said. “Do you need me to take you back to your room?” “Yes, please,” he replied timidly. As I walked him to his room and then me back to my room and got back into my bed, I couldn’t sleep. His waking and coming into my room to get me triggered a memory. I was about his age and my parents had been divorced for six years or so. On one of my father’s evenings with us, […]

Ever feel stuck?  Bored?  Complacent? I have – and do often. I’ve been at the same thing for so long that sometimes it feels like I know all the answers…and even the questions before they’re asked. The ONLY way to solve this is to change it up. Be more. Try something new. Get outside of our comfort zone. Become something different. Just be different, better! Last week, we launched our first ever podcast. This is what my attempt at new beginnings looks like. It’s a completely new format for me, a new medium to share my philosophies and experience. To share my life […]

On average, Americans with a financial advisor retire two years earlier than without one. They also have twice as much money saved!¹ But, more importantly, the lift that people experience is more than just financial, it’s emotional, too. People report that when working with a financial professional, they feel less stressed and have less anxiety, as well as more confidence that they will meet their financial goals.  This has been well documented in a number of studies and articles across the industry. So, what does all this really mean? People need people. The guidance, personal attention, and hand holding that comes […]

Saturday, I woke up with incredible abdominal pain. I’ve never had pain like that before, and certainly not there. So, as any curious person would be apt to do, I opened up the computer and Googled my symptoms. Within the blink of a microprocessor, I found out the diagnosis: I’M DYING! I have diverticulitis. A bowel obstruction. Cancer. Maybe I’m suffering from all of the above at once! After all, Google had described my symptoms and spit out a diagnosis to a T. Or perhaps I simply had an oblique pull. “That can’t be it,” I said to myself. Too simple. […]