Aerial View:

• Intro thoughts

• Mindful Minute: 5 Key Reflections at 2924 Only

• Conscious Consumer:

• Quote of the week

• 3 key questions to reflect on

Welcome back men. I feel like there’s a massive energy swing unfolding at the moment. (In a great way) In my life yes, but I’m seeing it happen outside of my immediate scope too. Although there’s a lot of volatility in consumer right now, I believe and am seeing firsthand that it presents quite the opportunity if you are able to think differently and not panic. Tariffs? Not ideal, but not the end of the world. How can we use it to our advantage? That was/has been a fun one to learn through over last few weeks. All part of the game that I’m grateful to be playing.

Even with the uncertainty and less than favorable business conditions lately, what I’ve paid attention to is my response. I’ve grown to be far less reactive than I used to be. It feels great to not sound the alarms and bug out when something as massive as this happens. Someone sent me this the other day and although it was a silly little illustration the message felt great to receive and enabled me to internalize some of the pride I felt in the growth experienced as an operator. Calm in the face of chaos. We were able to use it and are actually on a path to being in an even better position as a result of it all. Funny how that works.

I attribute a lot of this to having a consistent harmony across the other pillars of my life at the moment. Health, fitness, relationships, business, faith, and joy. Lot of selfish joy time in the last few weeks, enabling me to be even more present within the activity at hand. Tons of hopefulness in my life at the moment, it feels refreshing.

I turned 29 last week, and wrote tonights edition based on the top 5 reflections that were top of mind when I put pen to paper that evening. Let me tell ya this, 29 has been the best one yet, and it’s just getting started. LOTS of tailwinds as I kickstart 29. Let’s get into it.

Mindful Minute: 5 Key Reflections at 29

I turn 29 years old today and here are 5 of the most important reflections that are currently at the top of my mind:

1. You know when something’s not right for you. You do. 100% of the time. If you’re unsure, it isn’t right. But you know that too.

2. Decisions made against our intuitive guidance always hold us back from happiness. The inner voice knows what’s best, we must listen to it at all costs. It serves us and has our best interests first. Listening and acting upon it can be scary but my god is it rewarding. Intuition is the ONLY way.

3. Tough love givers? Those are the ones that care. Those willing to tell you the painful truth, the ones that see your potential and are willing to have the hard, uncomfortable conversations with you. Those are your real people. Those people really care for you. Have someone who’s willing to call you out if they see you slacking or pursuing something that is clearly out of alignment with you? Pull that person closer, and pay attention to what they say. ESPECIALLY if they are on the path of purpose and have the right moral compass.

4. You always know when you’re doing the right thing and you always know when you’re doing the wrong thing. My old man hammered this into my head growing up- yet I still did the wrong thing from time to time. I’ve learned from this. Integrity requires consistency across all areas of our lives. How we do one thing is how we do everything. Confidence is built from feeling proud of your consistent actions, no matter how small.

5. The society we live in is designed to keep us stuck. It doesn’t want winners. It is incredibly challenging to go against the grain and blaze your own trail. 99% of feedback will be negative when doing so, or thinking about doing so. It’s your job to know how to filter out the majority and listen only to that 1% who are rooting for you. If you do, and you can take consistent action each day, and be truly patient, you can live the life you dream of. The one you ACTUALLY want.

Honorable mention: 1% better each day is enough. Some days you’ll get 10% better. Some you’ll get only 1%. The trick is that on those days, you cannot fall victim to the trap of thinking you lost 9% because you know what it’s like to get 10%. You didn’t LOSE anything. Progress is progress, no matter what. Ruthlessly flex the muscle of celebrating that 1%.

Conscious Consumer

Quote of the week

Connection is medicine. I’ve been reminded of this heavily in the last week after spending time with someone who has made me feel truly seen, heard, and valued in just a short time. For that I am truly grateful.

We aren’t meant to spend so much time in solitude. We thrive with other human beings. We are meant to be with others. Find those that you feel seen, heard, and valued with. Allow this connection be the antidote to your ailments. Let people in- it’s a strength, not a weakness. It takes conscious effort but the benefits are far worth it. Take it from a recovering lone wolf.

Rise and Reflect - 3 Questions to Inspire Impactful Action and Critical Reflection

1. What are the top 3 reflections on my mind right now from the last 12 months?

2. What/who is one major anchor in my life that I’m still allowing to hold me down? Why?

3. What is one decision I made today that went against my internal compass telling me it was not right for me? With this awareness, how can I use this to not make the same decision tomorrow/next time?

My Ask of You

If you found value in this newsletter, I ask that you please share it with others:

• Forward it: Send this email to friends, family, and/or others.

• Talk about it: Share your thoughts on social media using #MindfulMan

• Invite others: Encourage those around you to subscribe here and join our community.

As leaders, it's our duty to help others. If you found this newsletter helpful, share it with someone who it may help. Change starts here, together.

Thank you for being here.

Sails up, eyes open.

Until next time,
Dan Baird