I’ve set a lot of goals in my life: run a hundred miles, help build a trusted company with my dad, and raise five incredible kids who actually like each other. Just to name a few. They’re the big picture, ambitious goals that you’d see someone put on a vision board.

And look, those goals are great. I’m not knocking big goals or aiming high. But you know, a goal without the right process to support it is about as effective as wishing on a star. Realizing that is when I started falling in love with process goals, not just outcome goals.

For a long time, I thought success looked like ease. I wanted to remove every obstacle, optimize every system, and protect myself from uncomfortable jams. In a way, it made sense. I still understand the impulse. But I also realized that looking for ease couldn’t possibly prepare me to be resilient when the rock met the hard place.

Since I had that wake-up call, I've been deliberately choosing hard things: things I'm not sure I can finish, situations where the outcome isn't guaranteed, physical challenges with my ego on the line. 

It’s absolutely one of the best business decisions I've made.

What’s the first image in your head when you think “leader”? I know a lot of people will instantly think of big stages, flashy hype moments, and the electric energy of a great conference speech. And don’t get me wrong, those moments and those people can be effective and inspiring. 

But it’s really just a small sliver of what solid, lasting leadership is. In fact, I’d argue it rarely looks like that at all.

Some of the most trusted leaders I know aren't the loudest people in the room. They're not the ones commanding attention at every meeting or leaving people energized after every conversation.

Skipping meals seems like it could be a net win. Fewer calories in, same energy out — simple math, right? The logic made sense until I started paying attention to how my body and brain reacted to it. 

(Not well, if you were wondering.)

If you've ever tried to power through a long run after skipping breakfast, you know what’s coming: your legs feel heavy, your head goes foggy, and that creeping irritability that has nothing to do with the hill you're climbing and everything to do with the fact that your tank is on empty.

Skipping meals doesn't make you leaner or more disciplined. It just makes you less effective as an athlete and as a professional.