Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned Along The Way
Over the years, I’ve collected little bites of wisdom—short phrases from other people, books, and life itself. Some are funny. Some are profound. All of them are sticky, like bumper stickers for the soul. They’re the kind of reminders that keep us grounded, focused, and clear.
I’ve scribbled them on sticky notes and in notebooks. We hear them, say them, but rarely pause to unpack their meaning.
These essays are my take on what they mean. Think of them as sparks—ideas to light your interpretations and inspire new ones from the journeys of others.
I hope they’ll serve as meaningful and helpful reminders on your path.
Have a CEO Mindset with a White-Belt Approach
Lesson #1: A CEO mindset with a white-belt approach is the best of both worlds. It means thinking big but staying grounded. You lead with confidence but never stop learning. Because no matter how high you climb, there’s always something new to master.
We Fall to the Level of Our Systems
Lesson #2: You don’t rise to the level of your goals because goals are just ideas. You fall to the level of your systems because systems are habits. And habits, more than ideas, determine where you land.
Don't Make Easy Things Hard
Lesson #3: The hard part isn’t doing more. It’s knowing when to stop. Most things don’t need to be perfect. They need to be done. When you recognize that, you free yourself to focus on what matters most.