Hey, Reader! It’s February 13, and if your mornings still feel like a battle—or if you’re wondering why your days start reactive instead of intentional—let’s talk about something I fought for years: the 5 a.m. club. I was a committed night owl. Bed at 11 or midnight, up at 7 or 8, coffee in hand by 9. That was my rhythm. When I first read Robin Sharma’s The 5AM. Club, I thought, “No way. Not for me.” I read it four times over the years, loved the stories and lessons, but every time I closed...
11 days ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! It’s February 6, and if we’re being real, the New Year glow has probably dimmed for a lot of us. Goals that felt exciting on January 1 now feel heavy. Energy’s low, motivation’s spotty, and the couch is winning more battles than it should. I’ve been there. But here’s the truth I’ve learned the hard way: You can have the best mindset, the clearest Why, the perfect plan—but if your body is running on empty, none of it sticks. Productivity isn’t just about your calendar or your...
18 days ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader! It’s January 30. We’re almost through the first month of 2026, and if you’re like a lot of people I talk to, you’ve already felt the shift. The shiny New Year’s excitement has worn off. Some habits stuck, some slipped. Maybe you restarted a few times. Maybe you’re wondering why your to-do list still feels like a weight instead of a map. Here’s the question I hear most often from clients and listeners: “Mark, can you teach me how to plan better?” My answer always surprises them:...
25 days ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! It’s January 23, and if you’re still here reading this, give yourself a quiet high-five. Quitter’s Day (that infamous second Friday in January when most folks quietly drop their New Year’s resolutions) came and went about two weeks ago. Some powered through, some restarted, and a whole lot are in what I call the "messy middle"—where the initial excitement has worn off, real life has piled back on, and everything feels harder than it looked on January 1. I get it. I’ve lived in...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader! For years, I chased the “right” way to grow online. Every platform they told me mattered—TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, Threads, you name it. I hired coaches, bought courses, studied trends, tweaked hashtags, timed posts perfectly. And after all that effort? Mostly crickets. It wasn’t just frustrating; it was draining. Here I was, a 60-year-old guy married to the woman of my dreams, still grinding to prove something to people I’d never meet. I felt like I was performing...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! We're just over a week into 2026, and if you're like most folks, you're either riding high on new habits or quietly wondering how long they'll last. I've been there. That's why today I want to share the one approach that's kept me consistent for years: streaks. I'm a huge believer in them. Not the flashy, 30-day challenges that fizzle out, but steady, day-after-day commitments that build real character and lasting fruit. It echoes Galatians 6:9—“Let us not become weary in doing...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader! A few months ago, my good friend got fired from his job. At first, he was thrilled. “This is it,” he told me. “Now I get to build something of my own, just like you.” And man, he was on fire. He dove in headfirst—learning new skills, building his offer, working every single day, seven days a week. It was inspiring to watch. But lately, I’ve noticed the momentum slowing. Unemployment benefits are running out. He’s driving for Uber to keep cash flowing. He sold some stock, paid off...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey, Reader! As we close out 2025 and step into a brand-new year, I always take time to reflect on the books that most impacted me. Not just the new ones, but the ones I returned to because they’re that good. This year I read (and re-read) some absolute game-changers. Here are my top 7, in no particular order, with a quick note on why each one mattered to me right now. Simple Money, Rich Life by Bob and Linda Lotich A refreshing, faith-centered approach to money that’s all about stewardship,...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey, Reader! Unspoken expectations are the #1 silent killer of peace. People will always fill the vacuum with their own assumptions (usually “answer me right now”) unless you clearly tell them otherwise. Here’s the simple, repeatable system that protects your time and your relationships: Decide your real windows Email: 24–72 hoursDMs/Slack/WhatsApp/voice notes: 4–12 hours (or “business hours only”)Project comments (Notion, Asana, ClickUp): end-of-day or next business day Pick numbers you can...
2 months ago • 1 min read