From Chad

What is the meaning of life? Viktor Frankl turned the question around. Life is the one asking. Your roles are how it asks. Stop asking life what it means and start answering what it’s asking of you.

Upgraded thinking recognizes that nothing exists alone; success comes from interdependence, not independence. Ask yourself what your team needs from you, not what you need from them, and play your part.

Felix Dennis built a publishing empire and became one of the richest men in England. But he had to persist through dire poverty and economic recession. As Winston Churchill said, “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Preparation is the key to success, as demonstrated by Backpack the bear, who won Fat Bear Week 2026 by preparing diligently during the summer. Your “winter” is determined by the work you do in your “summer”.

Terry Fox, an 18 year-old cancer survivor, attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Despite not finishing due to cancer, returning, his legacy lives on through the annual Terry Fox Run, which is raised over $1 billion. The message encourages people to start small and do what they can, as something is always better than nothing.

Ozzie Smith, the Hall of Fame shortstop, did a signature back flip when he took the field at the start of baseball games. This act symbolized his appreciation for the privilege of playing baseball. You don’t have to do a backflip every day, but you can flip your attitude and recognize the gift in each day.

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane‘s, viewed his temporary jobs as scaffolding to build his dream business. He worked various jobs, including as a boilermaker, and salmon fisherman, to fund his chicken finger restaurant. His story emphasizes that current jobs are steppingstones, not permanent identities, and highlights the importance of relationships formed along the way.

There are two types of people: adders and subtractors. Adders believe that sharing ideas, energy, and credit increases them, while subtractors hoard them. Share an idea, give credit, or bring energy to others today, and you’ll receive more in return.

The “know–do gap“ is the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Knowledge without action is useless, so take action to close the gap between knowing and doing.

General Bill Creach improved the air forces maintenance system by assigning dedicated crew chiefs to each jet, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. The story highlights that ownership is a mindset, not just a title, and encourages listeners to treat their responsibilities with care, even if they feel temporary.