jerred

The Philosophy of “Today is My Everything”

My mentor introduced me to the acronym TIME—Today Is My Everything—and it fundamentally changed how I view my daily actions. Its a simple reminder that the past is unchangeable, and the future is shaped by what we do in the present. By focusing on today, we set the foundation for all our tomorrows and enhance our productivity.

Practical Ways to Win Your Day

1. Planning is Crucial:
Each day starts the night before for me. I map out what the next day will look like, scheduling when I’ll work out, when work blocks happen, and what family commitments I need to attend to. This doesn’t just organize my day—it ensures I’m making the best use of my time.

2. Preparation Sets the Stage:
Beyond planning, preparation involves taking tangible steps to set tomorrow up for success. This includes laying out workout clothes, prepping meals, and even scripting critical work tasks. These actions eliminate small decisions, making it easier to execute on bigger goals.

3. Embracing the Small Stuff:
It’s easy to overlook the small tasks that prep us for bigger challenges, but these are the building blocks of productive days. Each small step, whether it’s preparing a water bottle the night before a workout or reviewing meeting notes, contributes to more significant achievements.

The Impact of Daily Productivity on Long-Term Success

Every minute we spend is an investment in our future. Viewing our daily activities through this lens helps us make more informed choices about where to devote our time. By consistently investing our time wisely, we build a compounding effect that enhances our personal and professional lives.

Staying Mindful of Our True Investments

While it’s essential to be productive, it’s equally important to recognize that not every minute needs to be about output. Spending time with family, for instance, is an investment in relationships that are just as crucial as any business venture. Understanding what activities truly enrich our lives and which ones detract from our goals is key to real productivity.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of “Today is My Everything” and its impact on productivity.
• [00:01:30] The importance of planning and how it shapes effective daily routines.
• [00:02:30] Detailed steps on preparing for a productive day.
• [00:03:30] The role of small tasks in achieving larger goals.
• [00:04:30] How viewing each day as an investment can change our approach to time management.
• [00:05:30] Balancing productivity with meaningful personal time.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset and Family Presence

In the world of Parenting and Entrepreneurship, maintaining a balance between your business aspirations and family presence can be a daunting challenge. Entrepreneurship can consume your thoughts and energy to the extent that it encroaches on the time and attention that your family needs. It’s not just about the hours spent away from home but also about where your mind is while you’re there. Balancing these responsibilities can be more challenging than a typical 9-to-5 job because, for an entrepreneur, the work never really ends; it’s a constant cycle of creation, maintenance, and growth. Parenting and Entrepreneurship require a conscious effort to ensure that neither aspect of your life suffers due to the demands of the other.

Learning from Leadership Experiences

My experiences, ranging from military service to entrepreneurship, have taught me invaluable lessons about leadership and time allocation—particularly in the context of Parenting and Entrepreneurship. A particularly impactful event during my military days involved a higher-up who emphasized the importance of being genuinely family-focused, rather than just claiming to be. This lesson has stayed with me through my entrepreneurial journey, constantly reminding me that in the delicate balance of Parenting and Entrepreneurship, my actions must reflect my priorities.

Practical Steps for Balancing Parenting and Entrepreneurship

1. True Family Focus: In the realm of Parenting and Entrepreneurship, it’s easy to say family comes first, but does your schedule reflect that? Evaluate how you allocate your time daily. Is there enough for your family without them having to compete with your business?
2. Intentional Time Management: Adjust your work habits to ensure you’re present for important family moments. In Parenting and Entrepreneurship, this might mean restructuring your workday, being efficient during work hours to free up evenings or weekends, or even saying no to certain opportunities that require too much time away from home.
3. Setting Boundaries: Clearly define work time and family time. In Parenting and Entrepreneurship, be disciplined about when you work and when you are available for your family. This might involve making hard decisions about what business opportunities you pursue and how you pursue them.
4. Communicate Your Priorities: Make sure your family understands your commitments and why you do what you do. Similarly, let your work contacts know about your dedication to family time. In Parenting and Entrepreneurship, clear communication can help set expectations and reduce conflicts.
5. Lead by Example: Show your family that they truly come first through your actions, not just your words. In Parenting and Entrepreneurship, make decisions that clearly favor family commitments over work when necessary.

Why This Matters

As entrepreneurs, we have the unique opportunity to model hard work, dedication, and the importance of family to our children. In Parenting and Entrepreneurship, they learn from what we do, not just what we say. We must demonstrate that while entrepreneurship is important, family is irreplaceable.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to balancing parenting and entrepreneurship.
• [00:01:30] Discussing the constant pull of entrepreneurship on personal time.
• [00:02:30] Lessons learned from military leadership on truly being family-focused.
• [00:03:30] Tips for integrating family time into a busy entrepreneurial schedule.
• [00:04:30] The importance of reflecting your priorities in your daily schedule.
• [00:05:30] Closing thoughts on ensuring your actions align with your stated priorities.

The Essence of Effective Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about managing a team; it’s about inspiring and enabling people to achieve collective goals. It’s a skill that demands continuous learning and adaptation, especially as your business grows and dynamics shift. My journey through military training, officer leadership roles, and entrepreneurship has ingrained a deep appreciation for the nuances of leadership.

Why Leadership Matters

Effective leadership is the lever that can propel a business from a small operation to a significant enterprise. It’s about cultivating an environment where each team member can thrive and contribute optimally. Here’s how you can start to refine your leadership skills and build a team that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Building a Team Aligned with Your Vision

1. Align Your Team with Your Goals: Transparency is key in leadership. Share your vision and objectives openly with your team. This isn’t just about setting financial targets but also about making your team a part of the journey, allowing them to contribute ideas and solutions that align with the business’s goals.
2. Communicate Effectively: Over-communication is better than under-communication, especially in leadership roles. Ensure that you’re not just issuing orders, but also providing feedback, both positive and constructive. This helps in building a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
3. Support Autonomy: Foster an environment where team members can operate independently within the framework of the company’s objectives. Support them by providing the necessary tools and guidance, but avoid micromanaging, which can stifle initiative and innovation.

Practical Steps to Enhance Your Leadership Skills

Implementing effective leadership practices requires deliberate actions and consistent practice. Here are some steps to guide you:

1. Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define what success looks like for your team. This clarity will help team members understand their roles and the impact of their work on the overall business.
2. Foster a Culture of Accountability: Encourage your team to take ownership of their tasks. Accountability leads to higher engagement and productivity.
3. Encourage Continuous Learning: Promote an environment where both successes and failures are seen as growth opportunities. Encourage your team to learn from each experience and to continuously seek improvement.
4. Be Present and Accessible: While you want your team to be autonomous, it’s also important to be accessible for guidance and support. This balance will help your team feel valued and supported.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of leadership in scaling a business.
• [00:01:30] Discussion on aligning team goals with business objectives.
• [00:02:30] Tips on effective communication and fostering autonomy within teams.
• [00:03:30] Insights into supporting your team without micromanaging.
• [00:04:30] Strategies for building a supportive and accountable team culture.

The Unavoidable Reality of Hard Things

Recently, my family and I welcomed a new member—a German Shorthaired Pointer, renowned for its energy and intelligence. This addition has brought immense joy but also a significant responsibility. Training this dog requires consistent effort, patience, and time—elements that are universally necessary whether you’re raising a pet, building a business, or nurturing a relationship.

Why Hard Things Matter

The concept of doing hard things isn’t about seeking discomfort for its own sake. It’s about recognizing that the most rewarding aspects of life require more than just passive interest; they demand active engagement and sacrifice. Whether it’s ensuring a well-trained pet, a thriving marriage, or successful children, the effort you put in significantly impacts what you get out.

The Art of Prioritization

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—and what I discuss in my book, “Killing Comfort”—is the importance of prioritization. This involves not just identifying what matters but being willing to cut out what doesn’t to focus on what does. Here’s how you can apply this principle:

1. Evaluate Your Commitments: Understand that you cannot excel at everything simultaneously. Choose a few areas where you want to excel, and commit fully to those.
2. Ruthless Elimination: Once you’ve identified your priorities, be ruthless in cutting out distractions. This might mean less time on leisure activities or even saying no to good opportunities that don’t align with your top priorities.
3. Consistency Over Perfection: Understand that progress in any area requires consistent effort. It’s not about being perfect every day but about not giving up and continuously pushing forward.

Implementing Hard Things in Daily Life

To practically integrate hard things into your life, consider these steps:

1. Daily Reflection: Spend time each day contemplating what you’ve accomplished and what needs more attention. This reflection helps keep your efforts aligned with your goals.
2. Set Specific Goals: Whether it’s training your dog or growing your business, set clear, actionable goals. This makes the hard things more manageable and provides a clear path to follow.
3. Embrace Flexibility: Understand that life is dynamic. Adjust your priorities as circumstances change but always keep your core objectives in sight.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of doing hard things in various aspects of life.
• [00:01:30] Personal anecdote about training a new, energetic dog.
• [00:02:30] The link between effort and outcome in personal and professional contexts.
• [00:03:30] Strategies for embracing and prioritizing hard things.
• [00:04:30] Practical tips for integrating hard tasks into daily routines.
• [00:05:30] Closing thoughts on the long-term benefits of embracing hard challenges.

What Does Legacy Mean to Me?

Legacy is not about achieving fame or having my name etched in stone. For me, legacy is about the values I instill and the example I set for my children and those around me. It’s about ensuring that the lessons I teach, the love I share, and the integrity I uphold ripple through generations, whether or not my name carries on.

The Influence of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin once penned in the 1738 edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac, a quote that has significantly influenced my thoughts on legacy: “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” This statement has evolved into my personal mantra: “Do both.” I strive not only to act in ways that are worthy of remembrance but to create work that inspires, educates, and stands the test of time.

Implementing Legacy in Everyday Life

How do we integrate this into our daily lives? Here are three actionable steps:

1. Evaluate Your Actions: Each day, consider if your actions are noteworthy. Are they worth someone else writing or speaking about? This introspection guides my daily decisions and helps ensure they align with the legacy I wish to leave.
2. Create Meaningful Work: Whether it’s a professional project, a personal hobby, or simply interacting with others, make it meaningful. Aim for your work to be something that adds value and richness to others’ lives, something that would be missed if it were not there.
3. Stay Aligned with Your Values: Consistently align your actions with your core values. This congruence ensures that the legacy you leave is not only lasting but also true to who you are.

Why This Approach Matters

This mindset transcends the daily grind and fleeting successes. It encourages a long-term view of our actions and their impacts. By regularly reflecting through Franklin’s lens, we keep our lives purpose-driven and ensure that our legacies are built on meaningful contributions, not just achievements.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of legacy beyond traditional definitions.
• [00:01:30] Personal reflection on what legacy means on a familial and community level.
• [00:02:30] Discussion of Benjamin Franklin’s influence on my understanding of legacy.
• [00:03:30] Practical steps for integrating legacy into daily life.
• [00:04:30] The importance of aligning actions with personal values in legacy building.
• [00:05:30] Encouragement to consider long-term impacts and the big picture.
• [00:06:30] Final thoughts on living a life that matters and the call to “Do both.”