Never Lose Sight of Your Priorities
One thing I’ve always been proud of is my ability to stay focused. I can keep my eye on the metaphorical ball even if it’s moving fast. This kind of hyper-focus can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, I’m steadfast in reaching my goals and moving forward. On the other hand, I can lose sight of the myriad of priorities in my life outside of those goals. Today, I’m going to reflect on some of my top priorities and how I take the time to focus on them.
Bring all of yourself, all the time. As an entrepreneur, I believe there is no such thing as work-life balance. My work is such a huge part of my life, that if I tried to draw hard lines between the two, both would suffer. I’m all in, all the time; therefore, I must bring the most genuine version of myself that I possibly can.
Everyone gets the real me, no matter who they are, so there’s no question about where I stand. My humanity isn’t about my ability to distinguish my work self from my home self—it’s about being the same person regardless of the context.
Know when to focus on family. I’ll be the first to admit, there have been times when my work ethic and determination have encroached on my personal life. But there have also been seasons of my life when family took priority. When my wife Marcia was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I spent all my time taking care of her, my children, and myself. After she passed, my family and I retreated from the pain for a while and tried to help each other heal.
As the years have passed, I’ve found myself looking for ways to spend more time with the people who matter most to me. I was lucky enough to find a new life partner, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with her because I know how quickly things can change. There are times in life that are for hard work and others that are for being with the ones you love. The key is keeping it all in check and knowing what truly matters.
Forgive, but learn from it. Holding grudges is a lot like drinking your own poison. You make yourself angrier as time goes on and only hurt yourself. I’ve been wronged in my life, but sometimes forgiveness proves to be the best way forward.
That doesn’t mean I’m quick to forget. Even if I’m willing to forgive, I’m not willing to forget the circumstances that led to the disagreement. I reflect on them so that I can learn from them. Sometimes forgiveness is necessary. It brings you inner peace and clears the way for the future.
Success gives you the opportunity to help others. I grew up without many resources or expectations for the future. As a poor boy from Laurel, Mississippi, I feel very blessed to have found the success I have.
When I made the connection that the fruits of my labor could not only give my family a beautiful life but also benefit many others, a new purpose revealed itself. It was no longer just about my achievements; it was about the ripple effect that had the potential to make an impact on the world. Always look for ways to give back and aim to leave the world a better place than it was when you arrived.