February 18, 2025

Good morning!?

Have you ever heard the saying, "Status is buying something you can't afford to impress people you don't like"??

Ouch.?

But if we are honest, status plays a role in nearly everything we do. Whether we like it or not, much of our lives revolve around signaling our success—showing the world (and ourselves) that we're doing well. Status helps us establish where we fit in, and let's face it, there is a certain satisfaction that comes with that recognition.?

But status isn't only about flashy cars or designer clothes. It shows up in other ways too.?

• The neighbor who keeps a meticulously maintained yard—not for themselves but to keep up with others on the block
• The coworker who likes to drop names of all the "important people" they are friends with
• The parent who enrolls their kid in an elite private school, even when they don't have the budget for the investment
• A golfing friend who has all the latest equipment and is dressed like Rory McIlroy but struggles to break 100.

The list could go on and on. And yes, we are all guilty.?

In reality, there are two types of status, according to Sahil Bloom, author of?The Five Types of Wealth.?There is status that can be bought and status that is earned.?

Bought status is the improved social positioning garnered through?acquired?status symbols, like the short list above.?Earned?status is the genuine respect, admiration, and trust received through hard-earned treasures, like:

• The freedom to choose how you spend your time.
• Healthy, loving family relationships that are made possible by years of investment
• Mastery of your craft, developed through years of effort
• A strong, fit physique built through hours of movement and disciplined eating.?

Bought status is fleeting. There is always something bigger, better, and more impressive.

Earned status is lasting. It elicits respect, admiration, and trust from the people who matter to you.?

If we are chasing status, let's chase the right kind.?

The Huddle?is a weekly newsletter that is designed for leaders. Leaders must be learners. There is never a?moment?when leaders arrive. It's a never-ending growth process. I hope this can be a resource that you can use to stay sharp and share with your team.?

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With that, here are some things I ran across this week.?

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If You Build a Better Mousetrap...?-?Many sales professionals mistakenly believe that "if you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat down your door." In theory, that sounds fine, but in reality, that's not how it works. When we rely on the features of our product or service to "sell itself," we often wind up disappointed.?

It's much more than that.

I saw where?a local pie maker was on a recent edition of?Shark Tank. That in itself is remarkable. Even though the Sharks didn't give her a deal, the exposure and awareness will surely boost sales dramatically.?

A couple of the comments struck me. Mr. Wonderful said the pie was a 10 out of 10. Mark Cuban said, "The pumpkin is insane!" It sounds like they have never had a better piece of pie.?

But she didn't get a deal. There were other things the investors were considering. They thought her cost of production was too high and even questioned whether she had a business that could be profitable.?

But the pie tasted incredible!

I'm cheering for Joyebelle; you can bet I will track down some of that pumpkin pie. But it's a reminder that even with an amazing product, there's no guarantee of success.??

Magic Pill?-?If I told you there was a magic pill that, if you took it each day, you'd be able to manage stress more effectively, increase your ability to manage feelings of compassion when dealing with other people, and decrease burnout, would you take it??

If I told you there were no side effects and it was completely free, would you sign up for the magic pill??

There is. It's called journaling.?

You can have this magic pill with a notebook, a pen, and a few minutes each day. I've been a consistent journaler for years. It's the best way to re-frame self-limiting beliefs, rewire your brain, and think sharply about things. To write is to think.?

Here is a study?involving Registered Nurses and people in fast-paced, stressful jobs.?Journaling had a measurable impact on their well-being.?

A Penny Saved... -?Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorite Presidents. That's it.?

That's the only argument I can make for saving our beloved penny. President Trump has governed thus far with a heavy hand. First, there was the paper straw (who thought this was a good idea?), and now there is the penny.?

It is said that it costs two cents to make a single penny. Only in the government does that seem rational. With cashless transactions increasing,?the time has come to say goodbye.?

Goodbye to "A penny saved is a penny earned."

So long, "If you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves."

No more finding a penny, turned on heads, knowing you will have good luck the rest of the day.

Where will we go from here??

Write Your Own Story -?Did you watch the Super Bowl? Last week, I previewed some of the commercials, but I don't recall?seeing this one.?

This is a great example of great storytelling and branding. I'm a Jeep owner, and this commercial made me happy to be one.?

"The most sacred thing in life is not the path. It's the freedom to choose it."?

A quote to leave you with?

Have a great week!