A Time to Reflect...

New Year’s Day. That time of year when we we reflect on the previous 12 months and ask ourselves…where did I fail? Did I get any better or worse? Did I meet the standards for The Good Lord above? And what can I do this coming year to become better?

Those of you who know me personally know that I’m not a big fan of new year's resolutions. You are either going to drop something or start something, so why wait til the end of the year? You either do it or you don’t. But, I do believe if you are dedicated to a new year’s resolution, you have my support. Go for it. I am applauding you.

For me this year has marked a major chapter in my life. The United States Air Force finally built a memorial in Colorado for the Jolly Green Giant Rescue Pilots who served in Vietnam.

It was incredibly cathartic to sit with colleagues, generals and of course, having my wife Linda Johansen-James by my side made it all the more special. I posted about this several weeks ago, but it has still been top of mind lately as I reflect on those who couldn't come home from The War in Vietnam.

We’ve had some ups and downs on the home front this year but nothing major. Linda had foot surgery, and I've had a few health scares, but all in all, the grandchildren bring us joy knowing the next generation is doing just fine. We are truly blessed.

As many of you know, my memoir was published this year: The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce, and I have to humbly say, I didn’t expect the outpouring of gratitude and love.

The goal was to leave behind the stories and lessons learned throughout my 80-years of life here on earth...and to tell them with a sense of humor.

Total strangers have emailed me with notes like this...

"Thanks again for sharing this inspiring “must-read” with all of us who have been “kicked to the curb” a few times and wonder whether we have the strength to get up and try again."

It is truly my legacy. And honored that the following friends have endorsed the book...

"The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce is filled with stories of funny and heart-wrenching moments…this book is a must-read!”

— Jane Seymour, Actress. Author. Entrepreneur.

"I love how Max demonstrates the rewards of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. He fought through tremendous disappointments to succeed not only in business but also to become a world-class philanthropist. He is an MVP in the entrepreneurial arena."

— Steve Young, NFL analyst for ESPN NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback

"You don't have to learn all the lessons by yourself. The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce will help you take your life and your companies and entrepreneurial ventures to the next level."

— Jack Canfield, Co-Founder of the NY Times Bestseller Chicken Soup For The Soul? series.

"This is a fascinating book and should be on the reading list of every young aspiring entrepreneur. Max vividly captures his early experiences as a cadet at the Air Force Academy and how they shaped and guided him for a very successful business career years later. With a good deal of humor and humility, he describes how failures in life, if honestly recognized, can be a powerful learning tool ultimately leading to success in whatever endeavor one chooses."

— Harry Pearce Former Vice Chairman of General Motors (Retired)

Today I will continue my contemplation. Thinking of the things I could have done better, and learning from my mistakes.

Let's make 2023 even better.

Max

About Max James:

Max James is an American author and serial entrepreneur, best known as the founder and owner of The American Kiosk Management Corporation, a global front-line retail company with over 400 staffed locations, 1800 employees and 800 automated stores throughout North America, Australia, and New Zealand, which achieved $1.8 billion in sales.

Max grew up on a farm, the son of a sharecropper,?volunteered for Vietnam as a rescue pilot—shot down twice and lived to tell about it. He earned an MBA from Stanford University, and through trial and error, built dozens of companies from the ground up.

He is also the author of an international award-winning book?The Harder I Fall, The Higher I Bounce,?a business memoir for today’s entrepreneur and business executives that packs Max’s 60 years of experience of failures, success and humorous turns into 294 pages of empowering business advice.

Max is a USAF Academy Graduate and the recipient of the United States Air Force Academy’s Distinguished Graduate Award.

Max lives in Las Vegas with his wife Linda Johansen-James.

www.maxjamesauthor.com