From Bills to Brilliance

That’s the question, isn’t it? If we’re connected, you’re probably not someone who settles. You stretch yourself regularly, and you know there’s always more to do and be. Yet even the most conscious leaders can fall into the comfort of what’s familiar. It’s easy to mistake movement for progress, busyness for impact, and routine for purpose. Settling doesn’t always look like giving up, it often looks like: ~ Saying “yes” to things that keep you busy and yet you don’t move you forward ... ~ Downplaying your vision because it feels too big or uncertain ... ~ Waiting for clarity instead of creating it through action ... ~ Feeling restless yet unsure how to break through ... It’s not a lack of ambition. Rather, it’s a lack of space to recalibrate, strategize, and listen to what’s next. Stretching requires intention. It means: ~ Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to expand ~ Creating space for deep, strategic thinking ~ Taking bold action even when the path isn’t fully mapped out ~ Bringing God into the process so you’re aligned, not just accomplished I used to wonder where leaders -- those who wanted to change the world -- went to do this kind of work, to breathe life into their vision and build their next level. When I couldn’t find it, I built it. A space for those who refuse to settle for “someday.” Because when you decide to stretch into your highest calling, clarity follows. And when you surround yourself with others who are doing the same, transformation happens. Where are you stretching next? ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to identify one area where you’ve been holding back, whether it’s speaking up, taking a bold step, or committing fully to your vision, Then take one action today to stretch beyond it. Growth happens when you move past comfort. And the miracle happens after you take the leap of faith.

Everyone wants success, yet few are willing to take the steps required to make it happen. The difference between those who wish for more and those who create it comes down to one thing — moving from belief to bold, faith-filled action. Napoleon Hill famously wrote in PMA: Science of Success Course that "The majority of people never discover the difference between wishing and believing; nor do they recognize that there are six steps which people usually follow in using their mind-power for the attainment of their desires. These steps are: First: Wishing or having wishes. The vast majority of people go through life by merely wishing for things. The percentage of people who stop at wishing is estimated to be 70%. Second: Developing wishes into desires. A much smaller percentage of the people develop their wishes into desires. These are estimated at 10%. Third: Developing wishes and desires into hopes. A still smaller percentage, estimated to be 8%, develop their wishes and desires into hopes. Fourth: Use mind-power to form hopes into beliefs. A still smaller percentage, estimated at only 6%, apply their mind-power up to do this step. Fifth: Crystallize wishes, desires, hopes, and beliefs into burning desire and faith. A very much smaller percentage of people, 4%, get this far in transforming their initial wishes. Sixth: Put faith into action by (1) planning and (2) carrying out those plans. The percentage of people who take the last two steps, putting their faith into action, is estimated to be only 2%. The outstanding leaders in every walk of life are the ones who carry on through each step and reach the sixth. They are a small group who recognize the power of their own minds, take possession of that power, and direct it to whatever ends they choose. To these people, the word impossible has no truth to it—no relevance to their lives. To them, everything they want or need is possible, and they manage to get it or make it happen." To quote Napoleon Hill, "The only trait which differentiates them from most of the others who accept failure as their lot, is that they recognize and use their mind's power for the attainment of the circumstances and things they want while the others do not. " I believe that this process, this use of my mind, and the power of my intention are how I ended up with a farm, barn, caretaker's cottage, and an event center. When you surround yourself with the right environment and take intentional steps forward, the shift from wishing to action becomes easier. That’s why I created the Upside Retreat , a space designed to help purpose-led leaders move beyond possibility and into reality. You were created with the power to bring your vision to life. Every desire placed on your heart is there for a reason, and it's your responsibility to move it forward. Action, guided by faith, is what creates transformation. So trust the process. Lean into what’s possible. And take the next step. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to recognize where you started with a wish and went through all six steps to bring it into action or being. If you cannot find an example, start today. Commit to persevering, to ignoring the concept of impossible. Whether you are celebrating a past success or starting anew, strengthen your mind-muscle around developing wishes through beliefs to faith to fruition. Go shine your light. Because the world needs you and your brilliance.

Creating a life you want sounds like it should be EASY … … yet most people get caught up in the busyness of life and fail to identify what they truly desire. Studies show that very few people actually live a life that aligns with what they deeply want. See, most people fill in the blanks with what they believe they can have, rather than what they truly want. To build a life that reflects your deepest desires, you must have absolute clarity about what you want and why. Instead, many have a “dream life list" centered around things, rather than what matters at a Soul level. When you have CLARITY at a cellular level: ~> You don’t get distracted by bright, shiny objects. ~> You make choices based on what matters most at all times. ~> You focus on the journey rather than just the final destination. ~> You fully experience and enjoy each moment, even amidst challenges. There are no “failures” … … just opportunities to learn, pivot, and grow. Humans are hardwired to learn and improve. If we weren’t, we never would have left the cave, invented the wheel, explored new lands, or traveled to outer space. To gain this level of clarity, your life must have SPACIOUSNESS . If you’re in constant motion, it may seem counterintuitive to slow down. Yes, the world will keep turning, and the people around you will keep moving. Giving yourself time away will leave you refreshed and make you a better friend, parent, spouse, leader, and human. And when you step away, even for a short while, you gain the bandwidth to reflect and reconnect with what truly matters. That’s what intentional time on the farm has given me and it’s exactly why I created my Upside Retreats. Time and time again, I’ve watched my clients step away from the demands of everyday life and step into the clarity they’ve been searching for. They leave with renewed energy, a clear vision, and the confidence to make decisions that align with their highest purpose. For most of my life, I’ve made time away a priority, because I am a priority in my own life. And each time I step into that space, I’m reminded of what’s essential. Take the time. Be clear about who you are, what you want, and why it matters. It’s one of the best investments you’ll ever make. Because a life you love, one that feels aligned at a Soul level, doesn’t just happen. It’s created with intention. ACTION: The Upside Challenge for the week is to: Make the decision to invest in yourself. Clear some space in your calendar. Use that space wisely… to breathe, reflect, and realign. Room for replenishment. Room for insight. Go shine your light. The world needs you and your brilliance.