No excuses, blaming or whining.
Got your major key goal set? Something you really want? Know the next step? Get after it.
Responsible for your adulthood
When you were a kid you were told what to do. Then you became an adult and the choices were yours. What did you choose (do)?
Thinking Long Term
Short-term thinking most often leads to failure. Failure in relationships, finances and life. Long-range thinkers do best. They set themselves up for what they want to make happen in the future and they know the future will inevitably come. They delay gratification. They save and plan and get better. Today…
Glory
"In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail" - Wilfred Patterson Last night I was talking to my son Tanner. It was 108 degrees and he's driving to Flagstaff AZ to start an 18 mile running race at 7 pm. He will be running at night when it's cooler…
Basketball won't make you a living
Getting really good at something takes a long time. You can get good at something that creates value for others, or you can get really good at something that is just a hobby. Compound interest is when you lever actions over time into the future. It is very powerful in…
Apologize
Such a simple act can mend lots of fences. Apologize. Do it now and do it in person, and listen.
Electronic Slavery
Do you value likes over life? Many people put more effort into getting likes than they do into their own lives. Did you know that almost every social media company has "attention engineers" to keep people posting and chasing likes? Many are oblivious to how compulsive their behavior is as…
Earn respect by your choices.
We make countless choices each day. Some very small, and some large. Some are easy and some are difficult. From what to wear today to going all-in on the important project. From whether to smile at people, to who to call to learn something or tap into a better network.…
The Sandra Weiler Story – what YOU did!
Back in 2016, I walked into a coffee shop and while I was waiting I looked at the front page of the newspaper. Above the fold, I could see a lead story about a woman with cerebral palsy who lives alone in her own home being evicted by the bank. …
If you watch this at work you will be fired.
https://7f925c3d492185ec5ef0-78f1be02f180bbbd40a96920f4669c6e.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/ImpactKeynote.mp4 This is a link to a 72-minute video. That's why you don't want to watch it at work. It's too long. It's a keynote speech I did in 2017. About 15 minutes in I begin telling stories from 12 people. Their stories are remarkable - and they are…
No excuses, blaming or whining.

Got your major key goal set? Something you really want? Know the next step?
Get after it.
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Responsible for your adulthood

When you were a kid you were told what to do.
Then you became an adult and the choices were yours.
What did you choose (do)?
My parents may have “told” me what to do but it is only because they probably did it themselves. I took the “told” what to do as a positive and looked more on it as being advised. It made me into the person I am today …. strong, independent and happy with who I am.
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Thinking Long Term

Short-term thinking most often leads to failure. Failure in relationships, finances and life.
Long-range thinkers do best. They set themselves up for what they want to make happen in the future and they know the future will inevitably come. They delay gratification. They save and plan and get better.
Today is yesterday’s future and those that thought about where they’d be and what they wanted now are doing far better. You can tell which people they are.
Live today, yes; while working toward a better future for you.
I’m thankful for Kathy Richardson, too.
Good Morning Larry!
Thank you for the daily encouragement in your blog. I enjoy reading them every Morning before I begin to work, Is inspiring!
Remember the 7 P’s 1. Proper 2. Prior 3. Preparation 4. Presents 5. Piss 6. Poor. 7. Profomance
Great Think Daily blog. I agree 110% and shared it with my family.
That’s the best advice that I can pass along.
Today was my first company meeting. This came in handy. Reading it to the small team who believe in me enough to quit their own jobs to work with me helped. I was at a loss for words, leadership is tough. This helped me in this journey. Thank you
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Glory

“In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail” – Wilfred Patterson
Last night I was talking to my son Tanner. It was 108 degrees and he’s driving to Flagstaff AZ to start an 18 mile running race at 7 pm. He will be running at night when it’s cooler – but still hot. Then he goes to sleep and wakes up early for another running race at 7 am. That race…34 miles. A total of 52 miles. He is not necessarily a well-trained long-distance runner.
I didn’t have to ask “Why would you put yourself through all that”. I know why.
As I write this, he is running. I do not know the outcome. I do know he is in pain.
I have entered enough Spartan beast races with him to know the pain, even with preparation.
I have spent months preparing for races I would not likely finish.
I have started endeavors that had no clear outcome that would take many years.
I know.
Great effort and digging deep within you, reveals glory, no matter the outcome.
There’s no better feeling than looking back on an event and saying to yourself, “I tried and I feel great because of it!” One certain is you’ll never experience success if you don’t try.
All the best to him in his race.
That is awesome. You find out a lot about yourself when you push yourself to limits even you can’t understand.
Well Stated.
Embrace the suck, soldier on.
I needed this today. I feel like there is a lot at stake right now huge hurdles for me to get over. ?
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Basketball won't make you a living

Getting really good at something takes a long time. You can get good at something that creates value for others, or you can get really good at something that is just a hobby.
Compound interest is when you lever actions over time into the future. It is very powerful in a career. Skills, experience, relationships, connections, and resources that are accumulated over time can be used to do more faster and make more progress in a month or year than someone who just started more recently.
That being said, what would we steer our kids into when they are young – basketball or Boy Scouts?
Soccer or a trade? Would we rather they go to a school on a football scholarship or one for a profession?
Ok, I know I may have lost half the crowd here – so let me say this. I love sports. Kids learn how to train, practice, work together, win and lose. They gain confidence which is really important.
I am highly involved in my sport – motocross and racing motorcycles. This sport makes no money – it only costs money. I don’t do it for the money, I do it for fun, challenge, and adventure.
My son was a competitive archer when he was 13 and 14, and finished third in the world championships. I had him riding a motorcycle at five years old. My daughter rides horses competitively. I love sports. Fun to play, fun to watch. To see someone at the top of their game it quite amazing.
But sports is not a trade or viable profession for very many people. Obviously so few make it to the pros. When your career ends because you didn’t make the cut at the next level, you are done. All that effort can’t be levered into a trade people pay for so you can begin to make a living and eventually get really really good at it.
No compound interest.
I realize I am losing my way with this post and I bear some risk of upsetting people who are really involved in sports. And I know most of you have no aspirations to get your child into the NHL or NBA. You are just having a great time growing up and teaching physical arts – very important in the world of screens.
Let me tell you the real reason I began writing this. I pondered this question –
You have a kid in the projects who is aimless. You want to help. Do you teach him basketball or plumbing? Football or how to write code?
Which will help him most in his life?
We live in the same town we grew up in and I was lamenting this morning how the path across the park which we used to walk to school on no longer shows. Kids aren’t walking the path they’re being driven to school. I know I’m gonna sound like an old fart but parents are doing way too much for their kids. When I was growing up yes I played sports but I also started my first business a lawnmowing business. And worked for my father and his remodeling business. as you have stated I learned from both but the second is what put bread on the table and employees 20 families.
Larry- I really enjoy your posts!! I tell ya what would help a kid most in life. A Dad that takes their kid to the archery range (we love archery too), or the race track. Teaching a trade is easy. Ask your managers how many times do they have to “re-parent” a team member. Most valuable thing to spend on a kid is time. Thanks for the thought-provoking posts
You don’t pick one over the other; you do both. Kids – no matter where they come from – should be exposed to multiple activities. How else will they learn what they want to do? As for sports, they are more valuable than you give them credit for being here. Teamwork, relationship-building, competition and more. Perhaps the most important benefit of sports for kids – especially in an increasingly screen-dominated world – is sports teaches kids to test their limits. Faster, higher and stronger. If kids fail, they learn; if they succeed, they build confidence. Sports are a tremendous teacher. (Having said all this, the pay for play model that now dominates youth sports is a negative influence.)
….but you love the Green Bay Packers, right???? Kidding aside…we always told our kids they just had to be involved in “something”. A club, sports, charity work, get a job….anything. They couldn’t just stay at home parked in front of the TV or computer. Lucky for us, they picked a variety, which included sports AND clubs AND charity work AND jobs. They’ve grown into well rounded adults that we are proud of. I would have never wanted them to pursue a professional sports career, even if they were super good at something. That is a short term benefit and a short term goal. I see a lot of parents pouring money into their kids sports needs. Equipment, trainers, physical therapy etc., for a sporting career that, let’s face it, often ends at high school graduation or if they are really good, at college graduation. Be in sports if you like them, but do something else too. Just my opinion. Great topic of conversation! GO PACK GO!
I spent 6th-12th grade in band (sports werent my thing) but I also got a part time job at 16. I loved band but my part time retail job gave me life skills that I still use today. Sports teach important skills and I believe there needs to be a balance, which can be touch to achieve at any age.
I couldn’t agree more with this… too many parents “think” their child is going to be the next big sports star and they push and push him or her thinking they will turn pro. It is pretty simple , if the child has it in him/her they will do it on their own. Same as trying to be an actor/actress or musician…Very difficult to be a “star”. Best to learn a trade or profession for a lifetime. Play your sport you love for fun. If you are meant to be a star you will be.
I once read that it takes 2000 hours of continued practice to become an “expert” in any field. It takes determination, perseverance, and much dedication, be it in sports, a trade, a profession, or any other area. So hang in there and give it your all- whatever your area of interest.
Spot on!
Larry, I respect sports and the team player mentality that sports spawn when played and coached right. By that, I mean the proper lessons need to be taught while playing. I’m not a fan of the everyone get’s a trophy mentality plan that most kids and parents expect these days. Call me old fashioned if you’d like, but I played sports when I was young. In fact, I was the top catcher in baseball in high school from 1982 to 1986. In 86 I never got a base stolen on me, I batted fourth (clean up) and I hit three grand slam homeruns that year also. I was at the top of the game in baseball in high school. I was scouted and offered scholarships to play for several colleges. As good as I was, it wasn’t for me. I found out why it wasn’t for me when I started turning wrenches in my shop classes in high school and the place I lived in. By the way, I was also offered and accepted a scholarship for a local trade school on trades as well. People said I was crazy for turning down the offers to play college ball, but I love working with my hands and seeing the results due to my efforts. To say I’m a huge fan of the Trades is a major understatement! I wouldn’t change my decision if I could. I’m extremely grateful that I have gotten to do exactly what I was designed to do!
The trades would seem to be the logical, long game choice. Although, sports would also teach about hard work and team work. In addition, to the trades, good work ethic and people skills would certainly put together a good start for a young person.
Completely agree with the point on surface level, however I’d suggest that the life lessons learned in sports play a large role in developing an individual who is better equipped to succeed as a plumber or any profession. Teamwork. Sacrifice. Perseverance… and so on. The specific trade skill is undoubtedly more valuable than the skill of shooting a basketball or hitting a fastball, but the overall experience in sports –especially a team sport– can profoundly shape a young person for the better.
Amen! Teach a man to fish and he can feed himself. Learn a marketable trade and the odds are in your favor. Sports is a looooong shot.
You make a good point and I agree completely. When I was a child I played baseball and loved it. We all aspired to be a pro one day and we all had some pro athlete that was our hero. When I was a teen I quit because we moved to a rural area that didn’t have a ball league and I started working. By that time I had realized that I wasn’t cut out for the majors and I could actually make good money if I worked construction with my dad. What if we treated the trades like a sport? What if we had trade camps, competitive building projects, pro builders with trading cards? What if we made the trades as fun as sports? We would then be super productive, have fun while doing it and all eventually become a well paid “pro”!
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Apologize

Such a simple act can mend lots of fences.
Apologize. Do it now and do it in person, and listen.
Hello Larry. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Your time and guidance is much appretiated.
Pete. South Africa
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Electronic Slavery

Do you value likes over life? Many people put more effort into getting likes than they do into their own lives.
Did you know that almost every social media company has “attention engineers” to keep people posting and chasing likes?
Many are oblivious to how compulsive their behavior is as a result of this conditioning.
Social algorithms understand your behavior better than you do.
It will enslave a person if they aren’t paying attention.
Do you know an electronic slave? Are you one?
Screeidiots, the next generation, are doomed, all stuck to their devices. Larry, check out the following
MORETHANLIKES.ORG
?
Good morning,
Unfortunately I know a lot of Electronic Slaves. I drive’s me a bit nuts.
I have witnessed folks in the same room sitting 10′ apart not talking but rather chatting with one another on their phones. Ugh ??♂️
Electronic devices are Great Tools. They are tools just like a hammer or a screwdriver and should be used as such.
Master the 21st century but using all your eletronic devices for learning, working and communication not to run or be your life line to everything.
Next time you need to focus on a project try SHUTTING OFF ALL YOUR ELECTRONICS and see what happens.
I guarantee the world will not end!
So true!
When I get home in the evenings after work, I place my phone by the bed to charge and leave it there. At dinner time, no phones are allowed or else our kids would be watching youtube videos in between bites.
Disconnect. Free yourselves.
Bad turn of phrase. Slavery is not a choice. Unhooking from technology is.
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Earn respect by your choices.

We make countless choices each day. Some very small, and some large. Some are easy and some are difficult.
From what to wear today to going all-in on the important project.
From whether to smile at people, to who to call to learn something or tap into a better network.
From what you’ll eat to where you go.
The effects accumulate.
Earn respect by your choices.
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The Sandra Weiler Story – what YOU did!

Back in 2016, I walked into a coffee shop and while I was waiting I looked at the front page of the newspaper. Above the fold, I could see a lead story about a woman with cerebral palsy who lives alone in her own home being evicted by the bank. I picked it up and read the details.
The next day I was at her house. She was twisted up in a wheelchair and could hardly speak. Her husband had died about a year earlier. I found out who the bank was and about how much she owed to get current. I then asked you, the Think Daily community for donations to help her. You responded, and donations poured in from across America. I matched every dollar.
I gave the money to her attorney who was handling it with the bank. It was more than she owed and I asked him to use the extra to make future payments. By my calculation, she would never have to make another mortgage payment.
The attorney was disappointing to me. He gave very little information, and was cold and unhelpful. I was a bit worried about what would really happen to the money we had raised for Sandra.
Why do I tell you this now? Fast forward seven years to today. I found out that Sandra is still in her home! And – she has remarried! I’m so happy to know this from a friend who spent time with her in her home. They are fixing up their home now – a sign that they are looking to the future.
So just a report on a great project for you today!
Can you help someone who needs it? Enroll your friends and it’s pretty cool what you can do!
Good Morning Larry! What wonderful news to share today.
What a great story Larry and thank you for taking on this initiative and to all of the others who rallied behind you to help someone in need.
This is awesome!
Great story about rallying people to help someone in need. Well done, Larry and others.
Great deed; Great story, and a Great outcome! And now, 6 years latter Sandra is getting a full perimeter system with TripleSafe – Smart lady! ?
What a great story Larry! This is what being American is all about!
$ doesn’t make you happy
It gives you options.
Those options may make you happier.
Great story. Nice to know how it ended.
Reading about a wonderful outcome like that is a great way to start the morning!
Paying it forward with no thought of being repaid, just the thought of helping someone who has what seems to be no hope in sight is a selfless act. kudos to all those who stepped up and helped give Sandra Weiler her life back.
Wonderful story and I’m grateful that you and the think daily check community were able to help in such a significant way.
I listened to the presentation from yesterdays post. It too was heart warming. I was fortunate enough to have been at the event live when it happened. Truly some amazing stories of transformation and success.
Larry, Now that is a fabulous story! Good for you! We should all be so pro-active.
Marsha
Well Done!
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If you watch this at work you will be fired.

https://7f925c3d492185ec5ef0-78f1be02f180bbbd40a96920f4669c6e.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/ImpactKeynote.mp4
This is a link to a 72-minute video. That’s why you don’t want to watch it at work. It’s too long.
It’s a keynote speech I did in 2017. About 15 minutes in I begin telling stories from 12 people.
Their stories are remarkable – and they are all on stage with me.
As you watch the video, I am sure you will cry, and be inspired and empowered, and realize that your story is not unique.
We can learn a lot from their stories.
Please let me know your comments with the orange button.
Absolutely amazing watch, this was my first convention and really spoke to me as a new employee at Master Services. Now as General Manager of that same Company, I use that saying all the time. Your story is not unique! Thank you for sharing this again Larry, very powerful stuff!
Larry- you are a wonderful boss and mentor. Too bad your company doesn’t hire nurses! Love you!
Larry, you are a wonderful boss and mentor. Too bad your company doesn’t hire nurses!
I’m grateful for you, Larry!
What a powerful video. Thanks for sharing Larry. Needed a good motivational cry to start off the week.
POWERFUL !
Today,…. I am grateful that you shared this inspirational message from the past,….. thank you!!!
This was an incredible night. Still truly impactful to hear these stories and your insights on them.
Hi Larry:
There is good reason you are “Sitting on Top of the World.” Great job with the convention and thank you for sharing it with your herd.
Blessings,
George
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Today I’m grateful for Basements Systems !!!!
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Hello from Seymour, CT…Enjoy the weekend and Happy Fathers Day to all you dads our there.
So Cal, home of the 7 buck gas. Temecula wine countr
Gods speed Larry.
Today I am thankful that me and my company are part of a network of elite individuals and companies with noble purpose and desire to advance the industry of foundation contracting. Hello from Pittsburgh!