Another Sunday, another week that you’ve all decided to give me 7 minutes of your time. I don’t take that lightly. In a world where attention has become currency, I am grateful for each of you choosing to “spend” it here.
For those of you who know me in person, you know I’m just a high-energy person displaying endless amounts of relentless optimism and extreme gratitude. For those I haven’t met yet, there’s your movie trailer for this rollercoaster of a film being written.
This week, I had the privilege of having some amazing conversations with some even better humans. Some were friends I’ve known for a while, others were just “strangers on the internet” looking for advice or to collaborate on a meaningful cause. Yet, both were impactful because time knowing someone isn’t always equivalent to connection depth.
With that being said, one thing was apparent to me by the time I had reached Friday night…
I really love listening to people. From there, I enjoy creating some sort of framework or analogy/metaphor to help them understand complex issues they may be dealing with.
(I think this may be why I enjoy DJ’ing. Creating real-time magic is my favorite hobby.)
So for this week, I want to share some of the things that I’ve actually “freestyled” and got to witness the instantaneous “Aha!” moment unfold in real time. These are some of the same mindset tools I’m using to help me in my recovery journey and aspects of being a better person in general, so hopefully they provide value to you too.
I seriously do DJ, chat. Did a Nike event this week!
“Sweeping Things Under The Rug”
I’m a firm believer in not sweeping things under the rug. Why?
Because all those things you swept underneath will eventually cause you to trip and fall.
Why is this so difficult? Because, for the average person, it’s so much easier to dismiss discomfort than address it. We’ve heard the phrase, “Go along to get along.” Unfortunately, it’s one of the more damning approaches you can take to life.
Most people don’t like conflict. Contrary to whoever you just thought of that does, it’s not human design to seek out confrontation. As a result, we often let things that bother us slide without speaking up. While I’m not saying everything is worth the friction, just don’t let enough “dust” build up and cause you to fall in your own life.
Practice "low-stakes honesty." The next time a minor issue bothers you, try addressing it early with a simple phrase like, “Hey, can I share a quick thought?” Solving small problems when they’re small prevents them from becoming the mountain you eventually trip over.
“The Storefront and Its 3 Types of Customers”
One of the most difficult things I’ve had to do as a Founder + CEO is accept that my “baby” (Overtime Solutions/OS) is not for everyone. It’s a tough pill to swallow because I’ve poured my soul into an idea that I think everyone should love. That’s not the case.
You know what’s made the acceptance process a lot easier? Understanding that the “OS Storefront” will have three types of customers. First, let’s picture a bustling city street with businesses lining both sides of the road. A variety of options surround the shoppers who’ve decided to come out and spend some money in the summer sunshine.
Now, let’s follow three of them with a bird’s eye view camera as they approach the red neon “OS” logo hanging above the front door. Let’s meet them, shall we?
Customer 1 (Ben): Headphones in. Not interested at all. They don’t even pay attention to the building. No amount of neon signage would entice them to come in. They just simply aren’t interested in what I’ve got going on.
Customer 2 (Diana): Headphones in. Eyes scanning the shops ahead. The neon sign catches her eye. She’s curious. She decides to enter because she figured browsing inside would be worth a few minutes of her time. As the aisles pass her by, she’s hesitant about purchasing anything. However, an employee approaches her to find out what she likes. After speaking with the employee (me), she decides to buy something because it felt like a curated experience.
Customer 3 (Billie Jean): Runs into the store. Already knows what she wants. Goes straight to the section where her item is, grabs it, and heads right to the register. No selling necessary. Just a huge fan of the brand who always wants to support.
Which do you think is my favorite customer? Curveball. It’s actually Diana.
Why? Because I love listening to the customer, curating what they actually need, and don’t believe in selling them something they don’t want or need. Sure, Billie Jean is the ideal situation because there is no work necessary. However, part of being successful (in my opinion) is enjoying the complexity of a puzzle as abstract as the human mind. Especially when you’re asking them to invest in your vision or service.
It’s important to realize that there are A LOT more “Bens” out there than the other two. Yet, you have to be okay knowing this if you want to truly deliver something meaningful to the people you’re meant to impact. You/your brand won’t be for everyone and that’s okay.
Instead of trying to please everyone, clearly define your “Diana.” Who is the curious, thoughtful person you most want to connect with? Build your offerings, your content, and your experience specifically for them. A curated experience for the right person is always more impactful than a generic one for the masses.
Hopefully y’all caught the references…
“The Pitfalls of Outrunning Your Headlamp”
This one is pretty straightforward. If you’re in a cave and your only piece of safety equipment is a headlamp, you probably shouldn’t be running.
But why is this even worth mentioning? Because society in 2025 rewards speed and instant gratification. However, a quick win is often just a short-term dopamine boost. If you’re willing to take the time and walk with intention, you’re able to get a better idea of the path forward.
With the proper pacing (and common sense), you’re able to avoid falling off an unforeseen cliff and set yourself up for long-term fulfillment towards the end goal.
Just because the NASCAR driver’s car is going 200 mph doesn’t mean the driver’s brain is. They remain calm under pressure and realize they’ve got a long race ahead. They treat each lap with care because one small mistake could be fatal. Granted, the stakes in your daily life are much lower, but there’s a lesson there.
Schedule one "Walk, Don’t Run" block on your calendar each week. This is protected time for slow, deliberate thinking and planning. It can look like reviewing your goals, checking your path, and ensuring your actions are aligned with your long-term vision. It’s the strategic pause that allows you to move faster, safely.
My “Walk, Don’t Run” session took place in a Waymo this week.
Ok, now that you’ve got a glimpse into how my brain operates, you know it all comes back to a single idea: Intentionality.
It’s about consciously deciding what to address instead of sweeping it under the rug. It's about knowing who you serve instead of trying to please everyone who walks past your storefront. And it’s about pacing your journey with purpose instead of outrunning your headlamp.
It’s easy to live on autopilot. But the most meaningful growth happens when we turn it off. Whether you’re a Ben, Diana, or Billie Jean in this community, my hope is that these ideas help you navigate your own path with a little more intention this week.
Have a great week and I’ll see you all next Sunday 🏁