Delaying Gratification
The ability to delay gratification is absolutely necessary for success. If I know that by learning/training/saving money, my life will be better in the future, even though playing would make it better now (but do nothing for my future), and I can make the better long-term choice, then my future…
The balance between production and consumption
An athlete made 110 million in five years and was broke a few years later. So was rapper 50 Cent. You can't spend your way to prosperity. If you haven't read or listened to "The Richest Man in Babylon", a short classic book by George S. Clayson, you should. I…
Tough people make good times
Jim Rohn, Darren Hardy and Joe Desena. What do these three men have in common? Jim Rohn was a personal development teacher and one of the classic great ones. He's passed away now. Darren Hardy was a student of Jim Rohn and is following in his footsteps today - a…
Worry hurts
"A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once." - Wm. Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Don't let fear prevent you from living.
Passenger to Pilot
When you take full responsibility you stop blaming and take control of your own situation. In what area do you feel like a passenger?
"Iron Sharpens Iron" – My new book!
I have a new hardcover book out, "Iron Sharpens Iron". It's my best writing. In it, I chronicle our quest for my son and I to both finish the longest off-road race in the world, the Baja 1000, solo. I will donate all proceeds to charity. (I'm still sending a…
We're all writers
We all need to communicate and want to influence others. Learn to write well. How? Read and listen to books. Then practice. Strive to be a clear and compelling communicator.
Families together is important
Our subscriber Willis Ponds commented about another thing that is critically important that few talk about; the breakdown of the family structure. He says "That is one of the single-most destructive problems facing today’s society. Children that come out of broken homes statistically don’t do as well in life, aren’t…
Wherever you go, there you are.
Problems? Move away. Get a new job. A new partner. A new house. (Sometimes those things are key but..) You can't escape you. Your habits. Your thinking. How you process information. Your attitude and mindset. From the inner - the outer. Work on you - first.
Delaying Gratification

The ability to delay gratification is absolutely necessary for success. If I know that by learning/training/saving money, my life will be better in the future, even though playing would make it better now (but do nothing for my future), and I can make the better long-term choice, then my future will be better.
If I am weak, and constantly make choices that will be fun/feel good/exciting/intoxicating now, then my future will be filled with limited options and lack larger opportunities. I will have only myself to blame tomorrow.
In a famous study, they took young children and sat them in a room with a marshmallow in front of them. They told the kids that if they don’t eat the marshmallow, that they would get another one when the adult returned to the room. Then they left the child alone at the table, the treat at eye level to them, and had a hidden camera to record their behavior. Some kids didn’t wait long and ate it. Some tried to resist but finally ate it. And some waited patiently and eventually got a second one.
Many years later they studied these kids again and found the ones who delayed gratification were the most successful.
Can you/do you, have you/should you delay gratification, especially in your younger years?
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The balance between production and consumption

An athlete made 110 million in five years and was broke a few years later. So was rapper 50 Cent.
You can’t spend your way to prosperity.
If you haven’t read or listened to “The Richest Man in Babylon”, a short classic book by George S. Clayson, you should. I like the audio. In it there are “Seven cures for a lean purse”.
The first is “10% of all you earn is yours to keep”. Meaning no matter how much you make, spend less and save some.
How much have you saved?
Well I don’t have it where I can only spend 10% of what I make. I’m only able to save about 20% of what I make right now. I’d like to learn more finance information from you though.
Another book to add to my list… now should I read it before or after Iron Sharpens Iron?!
How much you save depends on how wealthy you want to be!
My uncle used to say “it’s really more about what you spend than what you make”, of course at the time he was the owners paying me (and all my cousins in our family business) but his advise was well-intended and on point. It stuck with me.
(edited) – My uncle used to say “it’s really more about what you spend than what you make”, of course at the time he was one of the owners paying me (and all my cousins in our family business) but his advise was well-intended and on point. It stuck with me.
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Tough people make good times

Jim Rohn, Darren Hardy and Joe Desena. What do these three men have in common?
Jim Rohn was a personal development teacher and one of the classic great ones. He’s passed away now.
Darren Hardy was a student of Jim Rohn and is following in his footsteps today – a real hustler.
Joe Desena is the founder of Spartan Race, where you face hard obstacles and push your limits.
Jim Rohn said “Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better”. Darren Hardy was raised by his loving but tough drill sergeant-like father. Joe Desena is very much a “stop whining and get tough” guy.
They and so many others preach a theme of toughness and self-reliance. Looking outside to make your life better is not where it’s going to happen and not where you have any control.
We’ve had it pretty easy in the last decades. Conveniences, less hours of work needed to support ourselves, cheap entertainment, lots of choice, safety nets, and little real hardship when compared to years before that.
I saw a post that said –
Hard times make tough people.
Tough people make good times.
Good times make weak people.
Weak people make hard times.
As we seek the good life, don’t get soft. Be mentally and physically tough, because inevitably, it will be necessary.
“Fear wakens us to the fact that an opportunity has arrived.” Fr Mike Schmitz.
I said very similar words to my daughter last night. Advice for life!
Thanks Larry
I still remember Rorke Denver (a very tough guy) teaching us that one can always improve their position on the battlefield
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” — Robert H. Schuller
A great note to start the week on. Too many choose to make excuses and stay on the easy road, stay in their comfort zone. You can’t grow if you don’t challenge yourself.. or worse… if you avoid challenges altogether.
Hi Larry! That makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing! Very insightful!
I really needed to read that this week. Thanks!
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Worry hurts

“A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once.” – Wm. Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Don’t let fear prevent you from living.
I always marvel at the dichotomy between the cleaned up Mr. Basementy shots like today’s message and the cool dude hipster that you are. Bravo!
Working on it!
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Good morning to you too!
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead.
Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.”
-Langston Hughes
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Passenger to Pilot

When you take full responsibility you stop blaming and take control of your own situation.
In what area do you feel like a passenger?
Good morning Larry!
Good Morning Larry!!!
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"Iron Sharpens Iron" – My new book!

I have a new hardcover book out, “Iron Sharpens Iron”. It’s my best writing.
In it, I chronicle our quest for my son and I to both finish the longest off-road race in the world, the Baja 1000, solo.
I will donate all proceeds to charity. (I’m still sending a group of city kids to private school, and many other things) I don’t have it available online anywhere currently, but if you’d like a few copies send $25 each to –
Lawrence Janesky, 60 Silvermine Rd, Seymour CT, 06483
I’ll sign the book and pay shipping to you!
It makes a great gift, especially for people who are trying to push limits, are into sports, motorsports, endurance athletes, or anyone who loves a good story. Josh Cohen started reading it to his kids at bedtime and they love it and can’t wait to hear more each night!
How many do you want?
Today I’m Grateful for Larry Janesky!
I will be ordering more of my favorite of my favorite story “The Highest Calling”. As much as I love to read I enjoy listening to a Good story even more! Larry does a Great job narrating and I can hardly wait for the sequel – Larry said there will be one someday and you know that means there will be. I’ve also enjoyed the YouTube videos “Into the Dust 1&2” and the story line Larry shared with us on riding in Baja. I will be ordering copies of “The Highest Calling” again to share and now I will be adding “Iron sharpens Iron” to the order. Thanks Larry!
Wonderful read. Can’t wait for copy of new book. Inspirational
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Eat some plants.

Eat a wide variety of them.
They are good for you.
Hi from Georgia. News here is former Sen Kelly L starting a voter registration initiative for more right leaning voters to offset the person who would not concede. Maybe there is hope for 2022. The other GA senate seat will be contested in 2022 when David Perdue takes on Rev Warnock. The good Rev is in some legal trouble that is for some reason not in the news. Have a great day Larry!
They are more than good for you! They save lives! Prevent diseases. Plus, less meat means a much healthier planet and a lot less brutal torture and suffering of innocent animals.
Good morning from Georgia!
It would be interesting to have a way to “like” or “thanks” (or other options) to your posts simply and quickly, without needing to make a comment or share on a platform. The present options are be good too but I very frequently want to make a quick acknowledgement.
Hello from Savannah Georgia!!
Larry- check out your cousin Lisa’s blog, “Ginger Loves Garlic”. Lots of wonderful plant based recipes there.
hello from one who misses GA!
A simple reminder, but a VERY important one! Thank you for looking out for us all, Larry! I also agree with John Ciovacco above, I think some “reaction” buttons like “Like”, “Dislike”, “Agree”, “Disagree”, etc would be interesting and receive lots of use! A very great idea!
I agree!
I like to eat plants. Try to eat a variety of colors every day.
I agree
I ageee
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We're all writers

We all need to communicate and want to influence others.
Learn to write well.
How? Read and listen to books. Then practice. Strive to be a clear and compelling communicator.
Good word. Best books for learning to write better include On Writing Well by William Zinsser, On Writing (A Memoir of the Craft (Reissue)) by Stephen King, The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition by William Strunk JR. and E.B. White and especially How to Write Policies, Procedures & Task Outlines: Sending Clear Signals in Written Directions (ironically verbose title, I know) by Larry Peabody
Where’s John Galt?
Autonomy and personal liberty are a necessity!
Think Daily always has the motivation and reminders I need. I dream of being a fantasy writer and try to take in as much as I possibly can to bring that dream closer to reality. I also want to thank Cory Hanneman for his commented suggestions! Increasing my list of books to read is never a bad thing, especially when they’re for the cause!
Agreed, “The Fountainhead” & “Atlas Shrugged” are terrific examples of the benefits of free-market capitalism and moral objectivism. Her writing will have you thinking differently about yourself and the world around you.
I’m thankful to my mother for pushing me to be a strong writer. She made me work hard to find the right word on countless occasions and help me understand the power of language. Being an effective writer has opened many doors for me and provided me the opportunity to help others with their writing, too. You’re right, Larry – if you want to improve your writing, read and listen to the well-crafted words of others.
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” — Benjamin Franklin
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Families together is important

Our subscriber Willis Ponds commented about another thing that is critically important that few talk about; the breakdown of the family structure. He says “That is one of the single-most destructive problems facing today’s society. Children that come out of broken homes statistically don’t do as well in life, aren’t as productive, aren’t as good at solving problems, become a burden on society, commit more crimes, etc, etc. If we don’t solve the family problem then we will have poverty in plenty in the future.”
I agree. Do you?
I’d add the economic case too. It seems to me in the past we had two or even three generations living together. Parents could go to work while the grandparents watched the kids. They all shared the heat, the property taxes, the mortgage, and many other things. It was simply cheaper per family member to live. And there was more than one, maybe more than two incomes in that household. Wisdom and values got passed on from generation to generation.
Today everyone needs their own household. Those three generations live in four places now. Four rents, four gas/electric/tv bills, less people to help, talk to, and share with. Child care and elderly care costs are way up. With COVID, a single Mom can’t work when her small kids are home and need help going to school in front of a screen.
Ok, we can’t all be the Walton’s. And in some families you are better off not having certain members around the rest. But clearly the idea has changed and it results in more expense, which requires more working by the head of a small household, which means even more time away from the kids…
If you don’t have a family member to turn to for help, you wind up turning to a government agency.
Now, everyone doesn’t want to be home all their lives and wants to feel some independence over their home and life. So “in-law” apartments” seem to be a good idea. BUT, in many places they are illegal. Zoning laws do not allow another residence on one lot. This makes this problem worse.
What do you think about all this?
Comment with the orange button.
Wow…this is deep ! Family is everything, and seeing or talking on the phone with my sisters (my older brother passed away a couple years back) always brings a smile to my face. Guess I was lucky my dad worked his butt off for us, and was a little tough (I was the youngest, so I was spoiled:). And my mom stayed home with us, to “manage the family” I would be happy to help any of them ! Most families at least have your back (I know… not all)
When we went to Italy in 2019, we did a walking “food tour” in Venice. It was just the 4 of us and her. We spent a lot of time talking about this very subject! She was in her middle 20s. She said it’s very common, especially in Venice, for several generations to be in one home/apartment. There is nowhere to build, but it’s important, and traditional for them to stay together. She said that living with her family allowed her to get her education, help out with the family and work a job. We found they are very passionate about generations being together, and homes and farms staying in the family for hundreds of years. I loved that part of our trip.
Family is great and important that there is love and kindness there too. My wife and I have tried to instill in our children the idea of the family bond, by spending time together and by example with our relationship with my siblings, (my wife is an only child and she longs for siblings). But….for the past 5 yrs ish, my wife’s mom 83 and in good health and widowed and my mom 74 ish in good health and divorced, have lived with us and although its nice and all that, it is indeed a stress on our marriage and a bit of stress on our kids too, having three moms. Fortunately my mom works as a live in cna so is only home every other weekend, if she were here 24/7 like my wife’s mom, we would be in trouble. Just not sure if 3 generations of family’s living together is a good idea, you did mention in-law apartments, probably a better option. Here are the stats, 48, 48, 25, 16, 83 and 74. Gender split 3 male , 3 female and thank God no one is unsure lol!
This is great!!! I do believe in these theories as I come from a broken home and so does my wife. I think we both wanted something different in life and 33 years 3 children 2 grandchildren later we are still together and stronger than ever. I believe without the help of our moms and Grandparents life could have been different.
I agree with your economic case as well and I actually had that exact multi-generational situation in my own home for a while. It is considerably less expensive for more people to live in one house than to live in two or more houses. However, as you mentioned and Jeff pointed out above it is not for everyone and I would say it doesn’t always work perfectly all of the time. All of the benefits you mentioned are there though.
Zoning laws need to be changed.
We have my mother-in-law with us and that has allowed us to both work while the kids are well taken care of. In addition, it gives her security and company as she ages.
There are still some fairly prosperious countries that this is still the practice, some have multi story homes with each house hold having their own floor or wing, ect. This is how some have been able to amase wealth.
I’d have to have my own space, but it makes a lot of sense.
Good points, and novel idea & idealistic. However, not all family members are healthy to be around.
I’ve typed out several different responses, as this has taken me on quite the journey! I think that in the end, in short, you can’t just fix the “family problem”, you need to fix people in general and you can’t fix anyone who doesn’t want to be fixed or think there is anything TO fix. At least in my own personal experience with family, you can’t fix an issue if someone won’t accept there is one. Too many people believe that the way they were taught growing up was the right way, because who would teach a child the wrong way? I’ll safely say its probably VERY FEW people that purposely misguide their children, but people have a very hard time accepting that they are wrong about something for whatever reason, shame or pride etc etc etc. We need to fix PEOPLE, and we can’t fix PEOPLE if they aren’t open and welcoming to the process. I wish you the best of luck, and offer my services if I can assist at all because I dream of a world where we as a society can show the humility required to address these issues and ask for help correcting these behaviors. There’s too much to put in a comment, I need to start a “Reply Daily” blog!
I totally agree with the topic, the family relation makes a huge impact on our life as much as in bussiness. we need to talk to our government officials to reduce the tax on the hard working people specially the single young people how do we expect them to do good if the government takes almost half of their paycheck.
My family story starts with a second attempt to start a business. Mom answered the phone Dad ran down parts and equipment , I sold and installed equipment and my wife worked full time at the hospital. Five years later we had our second child my wife took over mom’s job while raising two boys and creating detailed financials . Hired employees I ran sales and production and Dad kept crews on jobs by getting whatever they needed. Year 7 we bought a 5000 square foot building and moved everything at year 9 Dad retired for a second time . My parents now were having trouble with stairs , my wife and I decided to help them since it would have been very difficult for them to go in debt and build a new home. It was satisfying to pay it back for my parents who had always helped us . Thirty two years later we sold our business and have been able to help our boys and grandchildren in their ventures. When I read Larry’s comments about our country and future it is true ,we live in the greatest country at the greatest time . Sorry to ramble but my family was absolutely critical to success and I hope to be able to pay it forward.Thank you to my family
Personally I wish we could have 3 generations in a household and I think it would be best for everyone
Sigh! The old story that the breakdown of families is always destructive. It was difficult for sure but we did have our Grandmother to look after us when Mum worked. The long and the short is both my Grandmother and Mother encouraged education and as a result we all have degrees and including 2 PhD’s. We have all been successful contributing members of society. Are we an outlier? Maybe it’s that we only hear about families that don’t do well? Mum would go bananas when she heard such stereotypes. Interesting conversation.
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Wherever you go, there you are.

Problems? Move away. Get a new job. A new partner. A new house. (Sometimes those things are key but..)
You can’t escape you.
Your habits. Your thinking. How you process information. Your attitude and mindset.
From the inner – the outer.
Work on you – first.
Hello!
Hello
Hello and Good Morning!!!
Hello from The Junkluggers Appointment Center!
I hope you have a fabulous day!!!
Hello , have a great day
Hi! I agree and I’ve seen this happen firsthand. Thanks Larry!
Good Morning Larry– Thanks for leading us, I appreciate that you are you!
HELLO ~! Thank you for my morning inspiration! Have a great day!
Hello Contractor Nation, Thank you for all you do Larry. Have a Wonderful day.
Good morning LJ!
Hello Larry and all of CN!
Hello Larry!
Thank you for Contractor Nation. It has changed my business and life.
Thank you.
And this is great news. It’s easier to change ourselves than it is to change others.
Good morning and hope that your year is off to a great start.
My current habits are perfectly designed for my current results. Change my habits change my results. Great posts Larry.
Good morning! This is so true. Thanks for the reminder.
Hello!
HELLO! Working on you is critical to moving past the bumps in all parts of our lives. Had a few a decade or so ago, worked hard on me and its all in my permenant past!
Hello Larry!!
Hey Larry! This is such a great reminder, I don’t think enough people are able to put themselves under the microscope and see what really makes them tick. Having a true understanding of how you yourself function is priceless.
Hello Larry!
HELLO!
Hello Friend!
Well Larry I so appreciate reading your blogs. Such a straightforward approach. I always remember, learn and laugh. Love the amazing moments of clarity.
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Don’t eat the marshmallow, yet! Great book! I agree that people (especially Millennials like myself) want the instant gratification, promotion, etc. It’s hard to wait and people leave because of their lack of patience. Great post!
Back at you Mr. Janesky, good morning. I’ve been reading your daily nuggests of wisdom for about 4 years and have provided your link to many others. That’s a simple story to illustrate saving and investing, as well as short term and long term results.
Isn’t it amazing how an example of a marshmallow can be used to explain larger decisions that will affect the rest of our lives?
Good Morning Larry. Have a blessed and successful day.
“Adults devise a plan and follow it. Children do what feels good.” — Dave Ramsey
I didn’t delay and in some ways I paid for it, in some ways i used it as a tool to further my career. Being more mature I now delay my gratification and use my impatience to fuel my success
Self-control/restraint is easy when posed with the “carrot or the stick” scenario, but even more important is self-control without the promise of a reward. Self control for the sake of self-control! Don’t eat the marshmallow because you don’t need to eat any dang marshmallows!
So interesting that you would post this today – my son and I were discussing this exact study less than an hour ago. I guess it must be something I needed to hear. Twice!