What RESULTS do you want?
Where are you putting in the WORK?
And, do you have FULL ALIGNMENT between the two?
Category: life
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
TO GET SUPER PERSONAL FOR A MOMENT…
I’m super proud of all of our kids. And my wife.
They’re each doing hard things. And they’re amazing at the things they take on. I’m so UNBELIEVABLY grateful and proud of them.
But in this long a** text to my son, I’m very clear on my POV on what REALLY matters in life…
And I’ll throw this encouragement out to everyone…
$20, given to a stranger, who’s asking for help. We’ve all needed help.
Maybe today you can be someone who helped someone else.
And if you give $20 to someone, but can’t really afford it right now… let me know. We got you.
Much love. Always and all-ways.
GRATEFUL
My dad’s offices (both work and home) were filled with books.
Shelves. Piles. Stacks everywhere. I need to dig up a photo — it was borderline chaos (in the best way).
And, yep… I definitely inherited all of that.
Thanks, Dad. Haha
But seriously… more than the books, he demonstrated even bigger things:
About being yourself. Staying curious. Seeking wisdom. And, using your God-given talents and hard-earned skills to help.
I’m endlessly grateful to have grown up in the orbit of someone so fully, genuinely engaged — with life, learning, people, and genuine community.
YOUR LIFE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
**How one decision changed everything—fast**
It’s September 2015. Almost ten years ago.
After a two-hour visit at a local animal rescue, I had a new sidekick.
A scruffy, sweet-faced Bedlington Terrier.
Nine months old. I named him Solomon.
He was the kindest creature I’d ever met.
And I had no idea this one random decision would launch an entirely new chapter of my life.
But first—let’s rewind.
A few months earlier, I’d started working with a career coach.
Trying to figure out what I wanted next.
I didn’t know it then, but I was six months away from a major company layoff.
And my divorce had been finalized earlier in the year.
The adjustment was hard.
The silence was louder.
But credit to Angela, my coach—she cracked something open.
The exercise that did it:
“Describe your life 10 years from now.”
No rules. No limits.
Career, family, relationships, experiences—anything that mattered.
I grabbed a pen and started dreaming.
Near the top:
“I’ll have a dog at my side.”
And two months later?
Boom. Solomon.
From day one, we brought each other joy.
My son adored him too.
And somewhere in that whirlwind of fur and feelings, I had an epiphany:
If one thing on my ten-year vision happened in two months…
What else could happen?
So I went back to the list.
And I started moving.
That one small decision wasn’t small.
It was momentum. It was proof.
It was the spark that got me unstuck then—and still fuels me now.
So I’ll leave you with this:
Do you know what you want?
Good.
Now go get it. Full steam ahead.
A TRAVELER AND HIS TURTLE
**Yes, this really happened**
“Bet you can’t guess what’s in my backpack.”
I glance up, half-listening, pegging him as another oddball. “No clue”
“My snapping turtle.”
I scan his face for a sign he’s joking. Nothing.
“Seriously?” I picture a cranky little turtle wedged between socks and toothpaste.
“WINNNNSTON” he says, grinning like he’s announcing a prizewinner. “He’s my buddy, and he can’t wait to see Michigan today.”
“Family up there?”
“Yep, Christmas with my sister for two weeks. You want to meet him?”
“Huh?”
“My buddy, Winston. Let me get him out.”
“No, not here. I’d hate for something to happen to him.”
Instead of listening, he cups his hands around his mouth and calls out, “Help! Help!”
Heads in the line swivel. My heart skips a beat.”
“What are you doing?!?”
“I like it. People look at you funny. Try it.”
“No thanks. I’d rather not get extra attention from TSA – especially with Winston in your bag.”
He grins wider. “That lady… she has a real nice butt.”
I feel my cheeks flush. Oh god, not this. He says it again. Louder. I brace for chaos.
But the woman chuckles. “Thank you,” she says with a smile before shuffling ahead.
I exhale, stunned.
He adjusts his backpack as if nothing happened.
“I’m going ice fishing tomorrow. You want to come?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “No thanks. I’m flying back home to Nashville.”
He pats his bag, “Your loss. Winston’s gonna love it.”
THE END – New Orleans, Louisiana
ONE SENTENCE
Today, someone said one sentence to me that meant everything and put the wind back in my sails:
“I see, deeply appreciate, and value your contributions.”
THANK YOU, TOM
Tom Peter’s passionate and compelling work has been a guiding light throughout my career. Love these fiery reminders.
REMINDER
be here / be you / be real
“Normal is what the majority does, which is why ‘different’ is so much more interesting.” – Simon Sinek