Livin' La Vida Luna y Luca
Still on that Disney kick.
What Got You Here...
During our latest weekly accountability call, we were prompted with the phrase, "What got you here, won't get you there."
Our host then asked, "What do you need to stop doing or start doing to get to your next destination?"
As we went around the horn, I scrambled to come up with an answer. The truth is, I'm doing exactly what I set out to do (from a work perspective).
8 Exits in 2026
8 weeks ago I wrote about keeping my Eyes on the Prize.
I would:
- Block all distractions
- Avoid chasing shiny objects
- Fully focus on my #1 business goal: secure 8 project exits for 2026
Here's where I stand so far.
- Project Weston is well underway. Spring '26.
- We closed on Project Townsend. Spring '26
- Closing on Project Kice in 4 weeks. Summer '26
- Closing on Project Willow in 5 weeks. Spring '26
- Offer verbally accepted on Project Lorraine. Closing in ~October. Fall '26
- Offer verbally accepted on Project Sherbrooke. Closing in July. Spring '26
6 down, 2 more to go. My goal was to identify all 8 by the end of Q2. I have ~35 more days. I'm pretty sure I can do it. I'm preparing to write 2 more off-market offers this week.
If I'm able to lock those up, I'll be free to shift my focus to a shiny object I've been putting off. 😄
On a more personal note...
I Gotta Get More Steps In!
When we went to Disney a few weeks ago, my mother-in-law left a lasting impression on me.
We logged ~30,000 steps over 2 days and she didn't miss a beat. She was the first one up in the morning and the last one to bed at night. She also stayed by our side throughout the day to help with the kids for the entire trip.
Dia and I live in the gym but were gassed from all the walking.
I used to say "I want to live to a functional 100". I'm now realizing that's too vague. A SMARTer long-term goal would be to work towards going to Disney in my mid-70s while running laps around my kids and keeping up with my grandkids.
I am so embarrassed to share this, but my average step count per day is less than 3,500 over the past 12 months. 😬 🫣
I secretly hope I'm getting some steps in without my phone on me, but even if the number was 50% higher it would still be laughably low.
I just ordered a walking pad. I'm committing to getting 300,000 steps in June.
Let's see where we go from there.
Lastly...
Don't Give Up
The other night, Luna was playing with these colorful magnetic balls and sticks that click together to make cool shapes and figures.
She asked me to play with her so I got down on the floor and watched.
"What do you want me to make, Daddy?" she asked.
"Make this butterfly. This one right here on the box. Copy it exactly." I replied.
She had no trouble getting started. She identified the first few pieces pretty easily. A blue ball for the head. One yellow antenna, one green antenna. One long yellow stick. Connect a pink ball. Curvey green stick down. etc.
I enjoyed watching her put the pieces together... I (gently) corrected her when she picked a curved piece instead of a straight one or vice versa.
She accepted my guidance until about three-quarters of the way through, she got lost or distracted and smashed the butterfly when she couldn't figure out it was supposed to be a yellow ball instead of a red one.
I tried to get her to start over, but she continued crying and saying "I can't". So I put two or three pieces together to give her a head start. She picked those up and threw them across the room.
Then I got frustrated by her being frustrated so I packed up the pieces and put the box away in a hard-to-reach place. That led to more crying. I just walked away from the situation.
In a vacuum, this doesn't sound like a big deal. But for me, it's a pattern I'm trying hard to help my daughter break.
She doesn't like to struggle. I mean, who does? But it's not her fault. Because she's our first child, we went a little overboard with removing obstacles from Luna's life. She hasn't had enough practice building grit. And for that, I take all of the blame.
I'm going to stop giving her answers to questions she can figure out herself and also think twice (maybe three times) about removing obstacles from her path.
I also need to start introducing activities that invite struggle and frustration (like difficult puzzles or mastering a subjective skill like drawing) while stressing the importance of effort over results.
It's going to be difficult for me because I'm admittedly allergic to her whining. I'd rather listen to nails on a chalkboard.
But as I reflect on "what got me here won't get me there" in my business and personal life, this is by far the number one priority.
Setting my kids up for success isn't the next destination, it's the ultimate destination.
✌🏽
What I'm Working On...
