I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how dangerous it can be to start feeling comfortable. Most of us know how to push when things aren’t going well. We feel the urgency. We know something needs to change. But what about when things are going well? That’s where I’ve noticed I have to be even more intentional. When I start feeling good about my physical condition, it’s easy to loosen up a little. That’s usually when I start giving back some of the progress I worked so hard for. Same thing professionally. I can have a few great weeks of outreach, follow ups, meetings and capital raising. Things start moving. I feel good about where I’m at. And that little voice starts saying, “You’re doing good. You can back off a little.” That’s exactly when I CAN’T back off. Because the things that got me there are the same things I need to continue doing if I want to keep growing. I’ve seen this spiritually, mentally, physically and professionally. The moment I start getting comfortable is usually the moment I need to double down on consistency. Not necessarily work harder. Just keep doing the things that are working. Momentum is hard to build and incredibly easy to lose. Stay steady. Keep showing up. Don’t let a little success convince you that you no longer need the habits that created it.

At our lending company, Local First Lending, we go to the properties and meet our borrowers when it makes sense. It allows us to not only see the house or building that we are landing on, but also gives us an opportunity to be in a relationship with the borrower and to give some suggestions while learning at the same time. What area of your life and/or business can you do what most people are not willing to do?

Something that I find is a common trait and the most successful people I know, and that I have also found to help me succeed and grow in the same for the people that I’ve led that have found success is being extremely coachable. There a lot of different things that can be said about what it means to be coachable, but a few points that come to mine are: - Be quick to listen and slow to speak - Listen to the advice that is being given without growing defensive and/or defending yourself - Be willing to put into practice quickly what you learn - action , action , action - Once you realize that what you are currently doing needs to change, change it immediately. Don’t require yourself to be told or shown over and over again.

Thomas (our 16 year old son) said something to me the other day that I haven’t stopped thinking about. He said one of the reasons making decisions quickly is so powerful is because indecision takes energy. Even when you’re not actively thinking about the decision, it’s sitting somewhere in the back of your mind taking up space. I thought that was pretty insightful. You’re not always going to make the right decision, but indecision has a cost too.

If you talk to my wife, kids and anyone that really knows me, they will tell you that I am never satisfied with where I am … meaning I want to get better everyday. With that being said , over the past several years I have also made a very conscious effort to take time to look back and celebrate the growth that has occurred over the past week, month , year , decade. I have also made a conscious effort to enjoy the present moment. I encourage you to reflect back on your growth and celebrate your growth and also to “stop and smell the roses”… soak up and appreciate where you are right now and who you are doing life with.