If you’re feeling held back in some area of your life and wondering why you can never seem to reach your goals, I have a good idea of what may be getting in your way: Excuses. That may seem like a harsh thing to say, but at least one wise man seems to agree with […]
Knowing Yourself to Find the Right Realtor
Buying and selling homes are both hugely personal tasks that can represent major life transitions for many people. So why do so many choose a realtor as if they’re ordering from a fast food drive-up window? Realtors do so much more than guide you through the intricacies of the home-buying and -selling processes. They can […]
Finding Your Calling: How to Get Where You Need to Be
Some people are seemingly born knowing what they want to do with their lives. They may start by playing with a toy doctor’s kit at age 4, then follow through with med school and end up being a world-renowned surgeon. No one ever doubted who they’d grow up to become, least of all themselves. And […]
4 Proven Ways to Calm the Stormy Mind
Anger can be addictive, and it’s something that I’ve struggled with since childhood. I’ve shared many stories of my violent past, including participation in gangs, road rage incidents, and even domestic disputes. But over the last few years, I’ve worked diligently with my therapist to harness this rage that can simmer inside me. It’ll always […]
What’s in Your Hands, and What Is Up to Luck?
There are a lot of things in life we can’t control: Where we’re born, the family we’re born into, and the opportunities we’re given, just to name a few. Some might say that external circumstances like these put us on a life path that we don’t have a lot of control over. These are the […]
What You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Home
Making the transition from renter to homeowner is an exciting step in any adult’s life. It signifies a new era of personal and financial responsibility—and that’s something that may hold some people back from taking the plunge into homeownership. Luckily, a little knowledge goes a long way when it comes to shopping for your first […]
The Difference that Gratitude Makes
You can be the most successful person in the world, but if you aren’t practicing gratitude, you probably won’t be happy. That’s because gratitude is that key factor that forces you to acknowledge what you have—and what you’ve worked so hard for. I say “practice” gratitude because it doesn’t always come naturally to us. Caught […]
3 Life Lessons I Learned from Minimum Wage Employment
I’m proud of my position as a leader in my industries, but here’s something that may surprise you: I’m just as proud of my minimum wage past. From my first job at a car wash to a government gig that paid less than $3/hour, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for […]
My Fixer-Upper Life: A Personal & Professional Story
It’s easy to look at someone who’s successful and assume their life has always been perfect. I’m guilty of jumping to the conclusion myself when I meet some people. But then I remind myself of a kid who started with nothing, fought through some really tough years, and then worked his way to a comfortable, […]
Addiction and the Lies We Tell Ourselves
Addiction comes in many forms — from drugs and alcohol to food and gambling. But something all addictions have in common is that they’re extremely damaging to our lives, and yet we can always find ways to justify continuing down the path of addiction. How do we do that? By lying to ourselves. Here are […]