That’s what I used to tell myself

But that’s because I felt trapped in a certain lifestyle

I was playing inside an imaginary rule book that didn’t even exist

I thought I had to get a 9-5

I thought I had to hate my job and just suck it up everyday

I thought I had to live in the same city and go to the same places

Then I learned that those were limiting beliefs I placed on myself

I learned that we can make our own rules and do whatever the hell we want

Once I realized I’m in complete control of everything in my life I started shaping it exactly how I want to live it

Take control and screw anyone who tries to put limits and rules on life

If I ask 10 people that everyone will say “of course extraordinary”

My question is... why does everyone try so hard to be ordinary?

To fit it with everyone else

Worry about being cool and not standing out

The moment I started focusing on doing whatever brings me joy to my life did I start living my extraordinary life

Now I go to sleep with answers and excitement

First of many freedom trips

Who we grow with matters

I get asked about my Honey Badger tattoo and why I got it and it makes me think

Not to get into details but the main reason I took action on it was I was bet that I wouldn’t get it... thanks Albie Stasek

But the real reason I didn’t hesitate to get this Honey Badger over my heart was because of what it means

We have a group of like-minded individuals who all come together under Honey Badger Nation

What it means to be a Honey Badger is you’re fearless, action taker and really don’t give a f*** what people think

And that culture fits me like a glove

So my question to you is... are you so inspired by your culture that you’d get it permanently inked on your body?

BE PRESENT

My Aunt Michele Knotek Drlik and her friend Laurie Barnes Zucco came down for two days

We went out to eat, walked around the park and so much more

Did I have calls I had to be on, yes

My buddy Richard Iwuagwu came down to visit the following two days

Again some calls to be on

But this is why I do what I do

I work to live... no live to work

But while they’re down here I made it my goal to be on my phone only as needed and be present #WinTheDay

I’ve always been a very emotional person

My actions were driven by my emotions and I’m very passionate about everything I do

But growing up through school, sports, etc I was always getting told to suppress my emotions

That I “need to bring it down a notch”

So for a while I thought something was wrong with me and I’d try to suppress emotions

Let me tell you... that does not work

What I learned is the difference between controlling emotions and suppressing

Now I’m able to control my passion and release it at the right times in the right way

In order to be taken seriously, we must first take ourselves seriously first

At one point I was 21 years old managing our workers 50+year-olds and clients years older than myself

When I first got into the role I was questioning whether or not people would listen and how I can earn their trust

Here’s what I did...

I worked longer hours than anyone, studied more than anyone, stopped going out and partying, and started going out to events

I made damn sure I was sharp and doing everything in my power to become an absolute expert in my field

My confidence didn’t come from my natural skill it came when I trained and continual mastery of my field

About 4 years ago I met two guys and my life would never be the same

Jay Kinder and Michael Reese came to Cleveland and put on an event with Albie Stasek

After the event we all went out to eat and after they were all heading back to Al’s

I asked to come with them with the intention to “have a good time”

What I didn’t realize was I was going to be introduced to living a life by strategy

All these guys are were performing at high levels while living a life I couldn’t even fathom

And what I realized was that I was winging life and forcing a good time

Since that night I’ve dedicated myself to building a good lifetime and creating decision making filters for everything I do

Just 6 years ago I had no strategy and my life was going no where... FAST

I was taking random jobs, had no goals or direction

Fast forward to now my brother and I are deciding what part of the country to get our next place in (which is most likely by a ski resort)

This past week has been one of the most enlightening weeks of my life

I’ve been able to put down all distractions and meditate on all aspects of my life and become clear

There may be certain parts of the journey that are unknown but my goals and how I will get there are certain and inevitable

Because I choose to live my life by strategy

But today I get to celebrate my favorite human... Carolyn Knotek Krempasky

I may be biased... but I truly believe I have the best mom

My friends would want to sleep over just to get my moms legendary breakfast

Anytime I’d get into crazy scenarios I could always go to my mom

When I decided to go after my first sales job instead of a stable career... she supported me

Throughout the growth of our company... even though she works CRAZY hours a lot of times she’s still asked how she can help

I can go on forever... but thank you mom and even though I’m in another state you still make me feel at home

Happy Mother’s Day