Defining Moment

Twice a year, we do something absurd—we mess with time itself. Some dread it, others shrug it off, and a few treat it like a national holiday. My wife and I? We embrace the change, even if it throws us for a loop.

How about you?

Right now, we’re finally on the good side of the time shift—the one where daylight stretches like an open road, wide and waiting. The one where you get home from work and still have time to actually live.

Yes, I’m talking about Daylight Saving Time (DST)—the MVP of clock changes. But DST isn’t the defining moment. It’s just the spark.

By definition, a moment is “a very brief period of time.” We might think changing the clocks is the moment—but it’s not. The real moment is the daylight itself. DST doesn’t just shift the clock; it shifts how much light we get.

That extra hour of afternoon sunlight can be a game-changer—but only if we seize it.

Daylight isn’t just extra time—it’s fuel. It rewires your brain, boosts your energy, and shapes yo...

What is Work? 

Speaker and best selling author Philip McKernan posed a simple yet profound question to those of us in the room at a recent CADRE's YOUniversity event:

What is work?

It’s a question that can feel routine or even rhetorical—until you stop and truly think about it.

For many, work is defined by tasks, deadlines, and paychecks. It’s what fills our calendars, fuels our routines, and keeps the world moving.

But is that really all work is? Or is there something deeper?

Work as a Transaction vs. Work as a Calling 

If work is purely transactional, then it’s just an exchange—time for money, effort for approval, production for reward. But I believe work is more than that. Work is where purpose, perseverance, and innovation meet -- at least for me. It’s the space where we create, build, and contribute. It’s the proving ground for our skills, ideas, and, ultimately, our impact.

When work is seen as a calling, it shifts from obligation to opportunity. It becomes the place wher...

YOU ARE THE TECH

Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. AI, simulations, smart devices, and extended reality (XR) are transforming how we work, create, and interact. But here’s the truth: No matter how advanced technology becomes, it still relies on the one thing that makes it matter—YOU.

For years, discussions about innovation have focused on software, silicon, and data—the three pillars driving technological advancement. Yet, something crucial is often overlooked. The most essential element isn’t an algorithm, a processor, or a dataset.

It’s people. It’s YOU. And it’s time to set the record straight.

The Missing 25% - Human Connection

AI may process information, but it lacks instinct.
It generates, but because it lacks the power of imagination, it doesn’t truly create.
It predicts, but it doesn’t decide with empathy and rationality.

That’s where you come in. Technology doesn’t replace people—it amplifies them.

• We are the context.
• We are the decision-makers.
...

“People do not lack strength, they lack will.” — Victor Hugo

If you had to choose between will or strength, which would you choose?

For most of my life, I thought strength was the answer. I remember hearing, "Only the strong survive," and I bought into that idea completely. But if I’m being honest, I’m not sure strength deserves the spotlight. Will is the better trait.

Think about it. The day you were born wasn’t because of strength; it was because of will. Strength is an illusion. Will matters more.

If you want a concrete example:  Check out this video.  I've watched it a 100 times - and it inspires me every time. Will power matters.  And it all comes back to what say often.  "Imagination will either lift you or limit you."  

One of my favorite Bible verses growing up was, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." But over time, I realized this verse is often misunderstood. The Bible actually says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The fo...

We may have just witnessed one of the greatest victories in NFL history—the Washington Commanders beating the Detroit Lions, the #1 seeded team in the NFL, in the second round of the playoffs 45-31. I can’t help but reflect on how they accomplished it. From a team that managed only four wins last year to now being one win away from the Super Bowl—WOW! Their journey is nothing short of miraculous.

This is a team that defied the odds and silenced the critics.

Think about how they achieved this. It took what I call team strong leadership, which aligns with the ideas I share in my book Breaking Average. In one season, the entire culture of the team and the city has been reignited. This team is like a once-dormant volcano in the midst of erupting.

The Commanders’ season is a masterclass in the power of the VICTORY mindset for any organization. It takes seven critical factors: Vision, Insight, Collaboration, Trust, Ownership, Resilience, and what I call the Yes Factor. Let’s explore how e...

Has worry or doubt ever tried to stop you?

Recently, my family and I planned a big vacation to the island of Kauai—our first-ever trip to Hawaii. Six of us, scattered across North America (Virginia, Boston, and Canada), were eager to reunite and celebrate the New Year together. For my wife and me, it was even more special—our 35th wedding anniversary. This was a rare opportunity for our busy family to reconnect and create lasting memories. It was going to be magical.

But days before departure, things weren’t looking good. Several of us were recovering from colds, lingering coughs, and other ailments. I honestly wondered if the trip we had planned six months earlier needed to be postponed. Fear and doubt compounded, threatening to derail our best-laid plans. As our departure day approached, I grew increasingly nervous.

This was one of those moments when my imagination began to limit me. I pictured the week slipping away, each of us stuck at home instead of on the vacation we had envi...

Life comes at us fast. The challenges we face can trip up any one of us. I want to share a quick story and suggestion that I think can make all the difference.

Years ago, I was traveling with my wife when our rental car broke down on a snowy day. We called the rental agency, and they asked us to drive back to the airport to swap out the car. I had to laugh. "Sir, the car we’re driving is leaking gas and is undriveable. I don’t think we’ll make it back." So, they sent a flatbed truck carrying our next rental to where we were. They dropped off the new car and picked up the broken one.

We continued our trip, but soon discovered the steering was faulty, making it impossible to navigate the mountain turns. We carefully pointed the car back toward town and made it to the airport to get a third rental. The next day, the windshield on that car cracked after sitting in the sun. For whatever reason, though, we didn’t let it bother us. We laughed at every little mishap, rolled with the punches,...

"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows...".
- The Apostle Paul

Life often throws flaming arrows our way—doubt, discouragement, fear, worry, criticism, failure, frustration, disappointment—the list goes on. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but we don't face them alone.

There's a powerful truth in the lyrics of a song that says:

"Where there is faith,
There is a voice calling, keep walking,
You're not alone in this world."

Faith is our shield against these arrows. As part of the Armor of God, the shield symbolizes the strength of faith to protect us. But this shield isn't just for defense; it calls us to action. When those arrows come your way, actively raise your shield. Stand firm on the promises and truths you hold dear, and let them guide you.

Couple your faith with grit. Grit is the resilience that keeps you moving forward even when the arrows keep coming. It empowers you to walk in faith, even when the path is tough.

So...

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing fathers who inspire and uplift us every day. A father is someone who tells us, "Yes, You Can!"

This Father's Day, I'm inspired by the incredible story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father-son duo who demonstrated the power of love and determination. When Rick was born with cerebral palsy, doctors advised Dick and Judy Hoyt to institutionalize him. Instead, they chose to raise him with love and support, treating him like any other child. Rick's passion for sports led them to compete in over 1,100 endurance events, showing the world that anything is possible.

Rick once said, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." This statement reflects the profound impact of a father's love and courage. In an article titled "What My Father Means to Me," Rick shared a note to his dad: "I hope that everyone who hears our story knows that you taught me the key to my daily life is that I believe the phrase, Yes You Can!” Their journey teaches us that w...

I recently recorded my top three tips to make the most of Summer 2024.

Check out the video on YouTube.  And let me know what you think.

https://youtu.be/DXwYG3tHP2Q