Mindset Monday - Change Your Year & Your Life
“Your time is your most valuable asset. Don’t waste it trying to be someone else.” – Jesse Itzler
11 days ago I was sitting at the Elevate/Keep Playing event in Scottsdale. The opening speaker absolutely blew the doors off of the building.
There wasn’t a single person of the 500 that were there that wasn’t ready to run through a wall when he got off stage.
Jesse Itzler is a serial entrepreneur, endurance athlete, former rapper, and has some of the most successful exits of his businesses in recent history.
The most interesting part of his talk to me was he didn’t really talk about his wins in business, but how he approaches his life, and how that translates to wins in business.
When he was talking about the moments he creates with this family, how they test themselves together, and how a couple relatively small tweaks have created massive results you could see the entire audience lean in.
I have heard from Jesse before, but it doesn’t dull the message even a little hearing it the second or third time, because hard truths don’t lose their impact.
Here are two things that he suggested that changed his life and my life.
One big thing: Each year he has one big event or challenge that he takes on. One big year defining trip, challenge, race, adventure. Something that stretches the boundaries of what you think is possible.
Micro Adventures: Every other month you do something you otherwise wouldn’t have done. 6 mini adventures a year. Ride in a hot air balloon, pack the family up and check out a new campground, go-kart racing, whale watching, etc. Something that can be done in a day and isn’t part of your normal routine.
If you live another 30 years from today, that is 30 year defining moments and challenges you have met and overcome. That is also 180 adventures you never would have gone on.
When you are putting together the memory book of your life adopting these ideas creates a whole new story. It also shapes your children, grandchildren, friends and partners lives.
This weeks challenge is to take 30 minutes. Shut the phone down, close the email, set a timer, and knock out the two tasks below.
Choose your one big thing for 2025. Make it big, just on the outside of what you think is possible today. Pro tip: don’t keep it to yourself, ideas in your head tend to stay in your head. Make it real and post it on your social, text it to someone so they see it, tell your manager or team, and share it with me if you are comfortable. I would love to hear the idea as I choose mine for 2025.
Look at the calendar and set a recurring calendar block on one of your weekend days to repeat every other month. Title it Micro Adventure. Set the time aside now and protect it on your calendar. Then go in and edit the notes of the first 3 occurrences with an idea for micro adventures.
Here are a couple resources to get the brainstorm started.
These are some really big ones, but they can be relative. If you haven’t run ever don’t do an ultramarathon but a ½ marathon is 100% doable. I would suggest ones that are single events and require you to change your habit to prepare for. That is where big change happens, its not just checking the box of the event.
Haley and team will be doing a recap of the Elevate event this week. I highly suggest you attend. There were some great nuggets. Really hoping we can get Jesse out again, everyone at FW needs to hear that message.
Crush it this week.
Written by Chris Catania
Chris Catania entered the mortgage industry in 2005. As a seasoned Branch Manager and coach at Fairway, Chris has consistently been at the forefront of providing, creative problem solving, exceptional service and tailored financial solutions. His commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the mortgage landscape have made him a trusted advisor and a leading figure in the field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Chris is a Army veteran, devoted husband and father. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Chris also brings his leadership experience and skills to the community as a coach, where he mentors individuals, teaching them the values of teamwork, discipline, accountability and perseverance. Chris Catania's blend of professional acumen, family dedication, and community involvement truly sets him apart as a respected professional and valued community member.
