35,000 Chances to Honor Our Freedom This 4th of July

Hey there, fellow Americans,

Let’s cut to the chase: the average adult makes 35,000 decisions a day. That’s 35,000 opportunities to do the right thing. Are you making them count?

When I was in 4th grade, I won an art contest at a hospital with a simple drawing of two roads—one littered with bad decisions and the other tough but sunny because it was worth it. This wasn't just a drawing; it was a message. The tough road, filled with challenges, symbolized honor and doing the right thing, even when it's difficult. That drawing still resonates with me today.

So, here we are, gearing up for the 4th of July, a day that’s all about celebrating our freedom to choose. It’s time to honor that freedom by making better choices.

Let’s play a different game:

• Not the game where we chase glory just for ourselves.
• Not the game where it's always "me" vs. "we."
• Definitely not the game that says we’re just products of our environment. Instead, let’s be the sum total of our expectations.

At the Conscious Venture Lab's demo day last week, we celebrated value-informed innovation, emphasizing that "we teach what we need to learn and create what we need to heal." This spirit should guide our daily decisions, reflecting holistic, equitable, and humane approaches to building a better future. It is one of the many reasons I became an investor and gneral partner in Conscious Venture Partners nearly eight years ago. Managing General Partner of Conscious Venture Partners and CEO of the Novella Center for Entreprenuership, Jeff Cherry, nailed it with his message: "Worshiping at the altar of shareholder value is paradoxically not as economically or socially valuable as taking more holistic, equitable, and humane approaches to building a company."

Stand Firm in the Storm

Moral psychology tells us humans often avoid the right path because of fear, social pressures, and the lure of immediate gratification. We seek comfort and approval, often at the expense of our deeper values. But living with honor means standing firm, even when the storm rages against us.

"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You cannot withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'" - Unknown.

The road less traveled is often the one that demands the most courage. This concept is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Japanese samurai, who lived by the Bushido code—emphasizing honor, courage, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right, regardless of the cost. The samurai believed true honor is found in the hardest choices and the most challenging paths. A Different Game

Fun Fact: By signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, our Founding Fathers were committing an act of treason against the British Crown. John Hancock boldly signed his name large enough for King George to read without his glasses, symbolizing his unwavering commitment to freedom. They broke the law and risked their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to play a different game. Inspire Better Leadership

This spirit of independence is what Ryan Holiday captures in his latest masterpiece, Right Thing, Right Now: Good Values. Good Character. Good Deeds. Trust me, it should be required reading for all leaders.

Honestly, I’m a huge fan of Holiday's work, but this book is next-level. It’s the third installment in his Stoic Virtues series and focuses on justice—doing what's right, even when it’s tough. (The first two focused on courage and discipline.) Here are the highlights:

• Justice isn’t just about laws or politics—it’s about doing what's right.
• The book is split into three parts: "The Me, the We, and the All," exploring justice at individual, societal, and global levels.
• Justice is a habit to practice daily, not a trophy to win.
• Holiday draws on the lives of Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to showcase principles of kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
• Living justly is key to happiness, and the lack of it leads to widespread unhappiness.
• Living justly isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Sacrificing principles for lesser goals? That’s for cowards and fools.

Holiday shares powerful stories, like that of Harry Truman. Despite immense pressure, Truman chose integrity over popularity. The buck stopped with him, and he didn't shy away from tough decisions, even when they cost him personally. He faced financial hardship multiple times for doing the right thing.

Can You Say Why America is the Greatest Country in the World?

Facing Challenges with Integrity

Let’s face it, these are not easy times. Recently, I was with three companies all short on cash, with diminishing runways, waiting on funding or really big deals. When you’re under the gun, literally and figuratively, you start focusing on just survival. But what can we learn from Holiday's book? It takes real character to do the right thing at great personal expense. That's the point. Our integrity is our greatest asset. Making just decisions, even when it’s hard, builds a foundation of trust and respect that can carry us through any storm.

In our organizations, we often find ourselves in double binds—those tricky situations where every option seems fraught with risk. Leaders face these moments constantly. Do we choose the easy road, the popular decision, or do we stand firm and take the path of integrity and justice?

Take George Washington, for instance. Leading the Continental Army against seemingly insurmountable odds, he faced countless double binds. Yet, his steadfastness and commitment to the cause of liberty set a precedent for leadership we still revere today. Washington once said, “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” Our decisions, rooted in integrity, can similarly flourish and inspire those around us.

Make Your Voice Count

And let’s be real, in a world where politicians play divide and conquer, it’s our choice, our voice, and our vote that truly matter. The upcoming presidential election is a reminder of the power of our choices. Let's not fall into the trap of cynicism and despair. Instead, let’s take this opportunity to elect leaders who exemplify integrity and justice.

So, What Now?

Instead of celebrating the fireworks and beer, let's go deeper this year. This 4th of July, inspired by our history and the innovative spirit of today's entrepreneurs, let’s commit to making just and honorable decisions. Let's channel our inner Olaf and just do the next right thing. Here are a few ways to think about your next decisions:

• In 20 years, what will my future self hope I did right now?
• What’s best for others, not just me?
• In 100 years, what will history say about the way I acted?

Pause and Reflect: Before making a decision, take a moment to consider its impact on others. Feel into your heart when making these decisions.

For me, success isn't measured by accolades or riches but by the peace of mind that comes with living a life of high integrity. When my head hits the pillow at night, I am not in a moral debate with whether I did the right thing. Having a clear conscience and honor is its own reward.

Wishing you all a reflective and inspiring Independence Day. Now go out there and make at least some of those 35,000 decisions count.

Best,

Joe