It’s the final sprint of 2025… and I’ve been thinking a lot about what this year has brought me and how much change has happened throughout it…
After all the turkey is cooked and football has been watched… Millions of Americans will get back in front of their laptops as we get ready for the final quarter. It’s between now and about December 23rd where major deals are made, fiscal targets are met and momentum for 2026 is clearly established.
For some… This is a slower period of business.
For some… This is one of the most exhilarating times.
From Black Friday and Boxing Day sales to annual bonuses and promotions — It’s a fun time for many.
But you might be looking ahead thinking:
Ugh.
This is going to be a grind.
This is going to be brutal.
I can’t wait until Dec 23rd.
I get it.
Some of you might be in roles that aren’t serving you.
Some of you might be stressed over your job stability.
Some of you might be uncertain about what’s to come.
All valid.
But here’s the flip side to that…
This is also a great time of the year for action combined with reflection. It’s a great time to look back your own last few months and ask the tough questions:
Am I on track for my personal goals? Am I slowing myself down from achieving my deepest ambitions? Am I blocking myself from blessings and opportunities? Am I sitting in a situation that no longer serves me? Am I holding off on a decision that I really need to make?
Tough questions…
But very much worthwhile.
As I look back on the last few months, I’m pretty happy with how things have gone. At Foundation, we have been able to attract and retain some of the most influential and ambitious brands in the world as clients. We have been able to attract and retain some of the most talented individuals that I’ve ever worked with. And we have been able to strengthen our relationships with some of the top partners in our industry and niche.
On the personal side, I’ve been able to attend more events with my kids. I’ve been able to travel the world with my family and friends. I’ve been able to grow my personal brand more through partnerships & consistency. And I’ve been able to push myself into a new world requiring a beginners mindset with the launch of distribution.ai and taking up this game called golf.
Looking back at first it feels like all sugar plums and lollipops but let me be clear: Getting here wasn’t easy.
In the moment, the pressure felt real.. The highlight reel doesn’t reflect the bumps along the way. I’ve had to fire teammates, accept resignations from great people and walk away from clients who paid well but weren’t a fit. I’ve had to say no to opportunities so I could be home for the first day of school and Halloween. I’ve had to work some late nights, early mornings & everything in between.
Through all this… I’ve taken a few key lessons:
1) Everything is temporary
The feelings we have are fleeting. The pain, the sorrow, the fear, the joy, the sadness, etc… All of it is short lived.
Yet in the moment…
It’s very difficult to remember that ‘this too shall pass’ // But this realization has been a major unlock for me this year. It’s allowed me to operate rather steadily without allowing my emotions to get the best of me and cloud decision making.
The feeling of defeat after losing a pitch → get over it. The feeling of regret after declining a coffee chat → get over it. The feeling of sadness when something goes wrong → get over it. Everything that happens to us…
We gotta get over it. What’s the point of festering? What’s the point of sitting in the struggle and pain for a long time?
Recognized this is be committed to making actionable decisions in moments of crisis & struggle. It’s a great way to not only avoid a negative spiral but also a great way to stay on track towards achieving your goals.
2) Pursue the challenge relentlessly
Most of us know when something doesn’t feel right. We know when we need to have a tough conversation. We know when we have to do something we don’t want to do. We know when we’re going to have to perform a task that isn’t easy for us. And we willingly put a million other tasks ahead of this more challenging one just so we don’t feel the discomfort of going through it and sitting in it.
This year our team has been pursuing the challenging convos & difficult discussions with pure intention. It’s not a question of “let’s just wait” → we need to be swift in addressing problems and keeping the air clean.
For example, I had a colleague earlier this year deliver a strategy presentation to a client with a few gaps in their approach. Some leaders would say; the client didn’t notice.. it was still very good. And I’d agree to that. But we have a bar we strive for and that bar needs to be hit. I could have waited to give feedback during a 360 review but instead — I gave them feedback within 4 hours of the call. I didn’t want to give this feedback but I knew if they didn’t get it — they’d operate this way for months to come. I gave the feedback, it was accepted and the next time they gave a presentation – they implemented it.
The result?
Unlike the first presentation (which was good) this presentation was excellent. So excellent that the clients team reached out to me about how amazing my colleague did on the project and made an intro to 2 of their friends.
This is why you pursue the challenging convos.
Because it helps you get closer to high performance.
3) Prioritize high performance
Here’s the biggest lie we’re told in business:
“We all want to work with people who push us to be great. We all want to work with people who excel at their jobs. We all want to work with people who make those around them more productive. We all want to work with people who hold us accountable and set the bar for quality.”
I wish this was true but it’s not.
Some people don’t want to be pushed. Some people don’t want to be the best in their role. Some people don’t want to help their teammates. Some people don’t want to hold people accountable. Some people don’t want to set a bar for quality and performance…
Some people aren’t striving to be high performers.
Harsh lesson for entrepreneurs playing the long game and hoping for high performance success: Get rid of them.
I know that’s harsh.
But life is flashing by…
I don’t have the time to play this game of business with people who want to coast through and be mediocre. I’m not trying to do mediocre things and thus → I need people who want to perform at a high level & do their best work.
If that’s you; we’re hiring: foundationinc.co / distribution.ai — Check out the careers page and see what fits you.
4) Don’t be casual with your goals
I found this through my friend… The image says it all:
Pretty powerful right ?
Don’t be casual with your goals. Be intentional.
It’s the final stretch and I’m excited about what is to come. I hope these words help you make the next few weeks great… And you achieve all you aspire for.
I’m rooting for you. Get after it!