Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
What are the benefits of building a strong community for business owners?
Community is truly essential. The principle is that where two or more gather, there is a shared experience that’s bigger than ourselves. We aren’t meant to be isolated; I know that because I isolated myself for a long time. In golf, you’re there to compete, not to make friends. But that’s not what life is about. Life is meant to be shared. The knowledge we each have, when combined, doesn’t just add up—it multiplies exponentially.
For example, a friend of mine in Memphis reached out during a crisis when a tornado hit her area. She’s a single woman who wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. I offered her some advice—not solving her problem outright, but sparking a question that led her to the right solution. That simple insight likely saved her $15,000. It wasn’t because I’m a genius; I just trusted my instincts and shared openly.
Whether it’s a conversation, a hike, or any shared experience, it’s for us, but it’s also for the collective. When I help you, you help your own community. My small contribution can have a huge impact on someone else, creating a ripple effect. It’s about making a difference, even if it’s one person at a time. Stop living on an island; be part of something greater.
How can business owners use vision boards and affirmations to reach their goals?
I discovered a system for achieving my goals, combining some personal insights with a bit of mastermind work. Interestingly, I only watched The Secret about six months ago, despite knowing about the Law of Attraction for years. I even co-authored a book with John Asraf, Success Habits of Super Achievers, but hadn’t seen the movie until recently, and it really struck a chord with me.
So, here are the three key things I do to reach my goals:
Vision Board – I keep a vision board with just four key areas that matter most to me. I place it above my TV so I see it often (although my six-year-old daughter sometimes moves it to watch Netflix!). Keeping it simple and focused helps me visualize these goals daily.
Auto-Suggestion – Every morning before my workout, I read my affirmations aloud. I grew up in a household where words didn’t hold much power, but I've learned words matter—both the ones we say and the ones we don’t. Speaking life into ourselves and others is crucial, especially when it comes to achieving our goals. Silence doesn’t serve us, but affirmations can help set our intentions and attract what we need.
Future Gratitude Letter – This is a powerful one. I write a letter to myself, dated December 31st of the current year, describing my gratitude for the things I want to accomplish as if they've already happened. Our brains can’t differentiate between what’s real and imagined, so this technique makes the goals feel achievable, putting the mind to work on how to accomplish them.
These three practices aren’t perfect, but they bring me closer to my goals through the Law of Attraction. It’s less about fighting to achieve and more about being patient, trusting that the universe—and God—is working on my behalf to make those dreams a reality.
When should business owners take risks on new ideas despite setbacks?
The key to a good decision is being faithful, especially when pursuing something new. In 2019, things were going great. I had just left my W-2 job to go full-time on my own, with everything set up in lending. I was involved in some mastermind groups and kept talking about this new idea—something I called the “golf sanctuary.” People couldn’t quite grasp the concept, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how to explain it either. But I knew it was important.
By March 2020, I thought I had figured it out. We scheduled a lunch-and-learn event with 25 RSVPs. But two days before, everything changed. First, my daughter and I were T-boned in a car accident. Then, a tornado hit East Asheville, killing 22 people and affecting many who had planned to attend the event. A few still showed up, and we made it work. But right after, a storm hit, knocking out our power and ruining all our food. Then came COVID, which caused a complete shutdown.
I was on a podcast and suspected the capital markets might close, so I reached out to all my lenders. Most said things were still on track, but two lenders had already closed their programs. Mid-podcast, I got a text saying the entire capital market had shut down. Just like that, I lost a quarter-million dollars in commissions. It felt like the world had turned upside down.
Sitting there with my then-wife (we’re on good terms now), I was tempted to throw myself a pity party. But instead, I decided, “If I’m going down, I’m going down swinging.” We pushed forward with the golf sanctuary idea. I had a hunch that by the time we got things running, we’d be on the other side of the crisis, where most others had paused. I thought of the companies that grew during the Great Depression—their roots went deep, and they flourished when the time was right.
Moving forward took faith and grit. It was hard, incredibly hard. But staying faithful to that next step has paid off. We’re reaping the rewards now.
What helps business owners think bigger to attract ideal clients?
The decision to start small is a common approach, especially for real estate investors. You start with a single-family home, work your way up, and learn along the way. However, the mistake I made—and was called out on—was thinking too small. I couldn’t attract the community and clients I envisioned with a limited mindset.
One of my mentors, who comes from a place of affluence and shares my passion for golf, knew about my concept. I discussed the idea with him, showing some early plans. He was gracious but simply smiled and said, “This is nice, but it’s not somewhere I can see myself.” That was a big wake-up call.
Why is goal clarity crucial for entrepreneurs?
Every entrepreneur is obsessed—if you’re not, you’re probably not an entrepreneur. That obsession often drives us to want to serve everyone at a high level all the time, but we can’t, and that’s tough. Balancing being a great family person, leader, fundraiser, and taking care of your health is hard. But you have to focus on what aligns with your goals, even if sacrifices are necessary.
A friend of mine—a real estate investor—realized he was trying to portray himself as a high-level money raiser while working out at a $25 gym. He wasn’t networking in the right environment. So, he joined a higher-end gym where he could connect with people who align with his goals. That choice was a tradeoff that served him better.
The key is questioning what’s in your life: does it serve your goals or hold you back? I spent a few days really digging into my goals, sitting with a few pieces of paper, and sorting out what mattered most to me and my daughter. I wrote everything down, reviewed, refined, and ultimately found clarity in the things that matter most. This kind of clarity allows you to focus your time and energy on what truly counts. Darren Hardy has a great line: “Everything’s a ‘no’ until it’s a hell yes.” But first, you have to know what your “hell yes” is.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
