“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different…” – “Prince Caspian” (1951) – CS Lewis

Something I’ve read over and over is the idea that we underestimate how much we can do in the long run while overestimating what we can do in the short run.

Small, incremental changes in a consistent direction lead to extraordinary results.

Over booking ourselves while trying to do everything leads to stress and mediocre results.

We must make room for the important stuff and let go of the trivial.

I’m sure you already know all of this.

I’m sure something popped into your head as you thought about it.

Take a small action towards that something, today.

Don’t wait until tomorrow.

Get started.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul. – Rebecca West

Our goals and direction need to be towards something of value – I like the word nobility here. They must be noble in purpose and value.

How might you add some nobility and purpose to your goals?

Getting healthy to be a good example and around longer for your kids is better than trying to look good in a swimsuit.

Managing your money well goes better when it’s wrapped up in responsibility and stewardship thoughts.

Client and sales goals have more meaning when done from a place of service and love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/-wcjBU8zbdY

In this beautiful life there’s always some sorrow And It’s a double-edged knife, but there’s always tomorrow, oh, you know
It’s up to you now if you sink or swim
Just keep the faith that your ship will come in

It’s not so bad

One of Meaghan’s favorite songs is Ordinary Miracles – this song reminds me of that idea.

We will live mostly ordinary days.

We will sleep, eat, work, talk, etc. in a very "normal" way.

Therein lies our opportunity for triumph or sorrow.

We can use those days to develop habits that create a life of peace and joy or dismay and turmoil.

What we build in ourselves during those ordinary days determines how we show up on the extraordinary ones (those are guaranteed as well).

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. – Dale Carnegie

Contentment is elusive most days.

The balance between ambition for more and doing our best vs being happy with what we have is difficult.

In the Bible Paul talks about being joyful in all circumstances.

How could you be more content in your circumstances this week?

How could you be more grateful for whatever life brings this week?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord. – Colossians 3:23

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work.

This verse from the Bible is a great reminder that success at work is about much more than just doing the minimum or just getting by.

Regardless of whether or not you are a Christian, having a higher purpose than just a paycheck can have a profound impact on your happiness at work.

Think about your average day at work and how you might do things different if you were doing them for a higher purpose.

How would answer that next phone call?

How would you handle that next conflict?

Would you make that extra call, close one more ticket or finish up that project?

A recurring theme I am noticing is the act of removing yourself from the center of things.

When we remove our own selfish desires and put others or a higher purpose first, we get better results.

What can you do differently today to work for a higher purpose?

Make it a great day.

Jake

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To give and not expect return, that is what lies at the heart of love. – Oscar Wilde

Great reminder for the day.

A couple of truths in one quote.

Giving ourselves to others is core to loving well.

Loving well is the greatest of these (faith, hope and love).

We can choose love each day by giving ourselves in love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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Everything popular is wrong. – Oscar Wilde

I’m not this quote is 100% correct, but it sure seems to have some truth to it.

We were built for relationship and to want to fit in.

It’s also a trap that’s easy to fall in.

Where are you falling into this trap?

Where might it make sense to do the opposite of what’s popular?

What would moving in the opposite direction look like?

Make it a great day.

Jake
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https://youtu.be/SMTQEDGD0cI

Last night was Annie’s last middle school band performance.

It’s been such a great experience watching her grow her talent in playing the flute.

Every time I’m impressed with a group of kids that are willing to put themselves out there, try hard to master something difficult and play their best.

It would be easier not to try. To skip the whole thing. To not submit themselves to practice and the possibility of not playing well.

But they do it. They stick with it and do their best.

The same goes for all of us. It would be easier not to show up for those we love and our coworkers and clients.

It would be less risky to not try at all.

But it’s worth it. For the kind of person it makes us.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/gHGNqifB2do

This video is a bit funky, but the message from Les Brown is a good one.

The line that struck me was “declare all-out war on the rut that you are in”.

Sometimes the only way forward from where you are is a period of all-out effort. A period where you pull out all the stops.

Is there something that’s been nagging at you for a long time that needs that kind of attention?

Have you been stuck in a rut and unable to quit that bad habit or start that new one?

If so, get started today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

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https://youtu.be/pyHMRwrS1pc

You’ve got to be hungry!

Get that stuck in your head.

You’ve got to be hungry….for the good stuff.

Hungry for health and vitality….not junk food and ice cream.

Hungry for knowledge and wisdom….not TV and social media.

Hungry for relationship and love…..not gossip and division.

Hungry for financial freedom and independence….not stuff and comfort.

Hungry for challenge and responsibility….not ease and laziness.

Make it a great day.

Jake
The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in message only. It is strictly forbidden to share any part of this message with any third party, without a written consent of the sender. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message and follow with its deletion, so that we can ensure such a mistake does not occur in the future.