Did It Matter?

As we come to the end of the year, it is important to pause and reflect on everything you've accomplished. I want to give you a simple but deep question to ponder going into 2020 as you set new goals. 

The question to contemplate is, "Did it matter?"

I believe we are all called to lead in at least one area regardless of what phase of life we find ourselves in. We run the risk of missing opportunities if we don't pause to make sure there's clarity on where we are and where we are going with those who are counting on us.

Leadership being an intangible object is important to think about and learn from in the context of real examples versus concepts and theory. I'll share what is most top of mind to me after going back to Milwaukee for Christmas to spend time with family.

My grandfather is a 94 year old World War II Army vet who fought in Germany. Over the years we've talked about his life, leadership has always been a center point in the story. When it comes to the war, he says he isn't a hero and just served in the way that the country needed him at that time. I've seen him so often put the interest of others ahead of his own especially us as grandkids. 

Many times leadership is more about modeling an example to follow versus giving a fiery speech. While thinking of my grandfather, I am reminded of some of the best to ever play the game that left a legacy beyond the diamond fighting in WWII themselves.

I want to thank you for your continued support behind Baseball and Business and especially thank all of those who've willingly shared their story between the podcast and written articles over the past three years. These have been monumental in helping others see how to successfully build a career and life beyond baseball.

Eventually, the question we are thinking about is more than just the end of a year and is the summation of our life. I've wrestled with what this question has meant for me but always come back to relationships being what matter most. Although I've been working in the investment world for almost a decade, my grandfather has taught me the most valuable investing lesson...you can't go wrong when you invest in people. That's what I hope the legacy of Baseball and Business will be one day when I am not here. 

Getting to know many of you personally and seeing your journey unfold has been a great blessing. The feedback and different stories resulting from our mission being carried out is what drives my desire to see the impact multiply.

My biggest goal moving forward is to make it easier for relationships to be built among all of us regardless of where we are geographically located. I think of our community as one giant team. We all know from playing that being a part of a team helps goals be kept a top priority while also building in accountability to follow through. If we go at anything alone, we can easily drift out of our lane unconsciously only to wake up finding ourselves rolled over in the ditch.

In the last moments of 2019, let's celebrate the wins, make sure we learn from the losses and are ready to charge into this new year with 100% clarity.

Happy New Year and wish you all the best in 2020! Don't hesitate to reach out if I can be of help at any point.