“Practice like you’ve never won. Perform like you’ve never lost.”

This last week, I had the pleasure of spending time with peers from around the country.

It’s always truly amazing to see how different people live and work.

There are lots of different ways to do things. All are valid.

It’s fascinating for me to see how other highly successful people achieve balance in their lives, starting with how they process and make choices.

But in that big room, despite our myriad differences, the one thing that remains the same with all of us is how we practice.

Among everyone I met, interacted with, and heard speak or present, I couldn’t help but notice the unwavering commitment to honing their craft, to achieving the highest level of expertise so their clients could benefit.

They practiced hungry, without complacency, like they’d never won before – not as if they were already at the top of our field.

That leads to another consistency I saw among all of these peers: they performed. They got results. They served their clients to the best of their abilities.

How they go about executing may be different, but the results of that performance are the same.

I am grateful for these times. I am honored to be counted among these brothers and sisters in business and in life.

A life well lived is spent among those who believe in you, and who you believe in and trust.

With that belief and trust, one can reach their true potential.

So, surround yourself with great people, practice like you’ve never won, and perform without fear – the rest will take care of itself.

-J.D.