"Growth Is Oscillating”

What’s up everyone.

I know I'm not in the woods today, but wanted to shoot this because it's been a while and I had something awesome come up that I wanted to share.

People think that growth is this linear trajectory, right?

You've got, you know over the course of time,

Here's the amount of success and it's this steady straight line.

I don't know about you, but if you've strived for any sort of achievement,

You know that's not the case at all.

Now many people will also believe that, maybe it's not a straight line,

But it kind of bumps and goes along this line.

You go up and down, have ups and downs, but ultimately in that trajectory of growth.

Maybe that's the case for some people.

But what I have found is that there's actually a whole second axis here.

Where up is Success, down is failure.

Down is mistakes. This is challenges. This is hardship. This is despair,

And it actually goes like this where you'll go up and then you'll go down equally as far,

And then you'll go up higher more and then you'll go down further,

And you'll go up even higher and then down even lower.

And so it's this never-ending Loop of how the bigger the highs, the lower the lows and the larger the challenges become and it's never ending.

So to think that some measure of success will afford you the ability to not have problems is simply naive.

It's simply short-sighted.

What I have found is actually embracing the challenges, embracing the struggle, embracing the problems…

Problems are the currency of Entrepreneurship because every time I solve a problem or I overcome a challenge or I find a way around an obstacle,

I've now grown that much more and afford myself the opportunity to achieve success at even greater heights.

Now again, with those greater heights comes the opportunity and the likelihood of having the deeper lows and larger challenges.

It kind of seems counterintuitive.

But the deeper on that bottom axis, the larger the challenge or the bigger the problem.

So choose your problems wisely, choose your path wisely.

Ray Dalio, the famous hedge fund founder, wise thinker and business philosopher talks about struggling.

Well, he says we all struggle.

No matter what we do, no matter how little we want to, we're going to struggle no matter what.

But choosing what I want to struggle in is important because if I don't choose, I will simply have struggles in my life no matter what that I can't really control.

But if I simply say I want to go that way and that's the direction I want to go…

That is the struggle I'm choosing and the problems that I'm choosing to encounter, to come up to and find a way to overcome or get past.

So struggle well, my friends. Talk soon.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Get Past My Blind Spots”

I'm looking out here this morning at the fact that I can't really see beyond a certain point on the horizon,

Because of the smoke that's still in the area here in the Bay

And it reminded me about blind spots.

This is something that an early mentor of mine taught me and showed me

How there are plenty of times, especially in situations of rapid growth,

Where I will inevitably have blind spots.

That can cause me to run into all kinds of problems,

Running into all kinds of issues with how to move forward,

With banging my head against the wall,

With having issues that are avoidable.

One of the best ways to address these blind spots

And frankly, move past them before I even hit them,

Is to be working with somebody or a team of people that have already seen these blind spots.

They've already seen these issues and overcome them.

They are already ahead of me on the path or in whatever endeavor I'm trying to accomplish,

And they've already run into these problems.

They've already overcome them and they have a path forward.

This approach of, rather than walking through the dark, through the fog, through the smoke and haze,

Rather than that, I would much rather have a guide, a guide dog, a lead,

And a path forward through the smoke, through the fog, through the haze,

So that I can overcome my blind spots before I even reach them.

So, where in your life do you have blind spots that you're running up against,

Challenges that you're having trouble overcoming,

And where would a guide helped you overcome those blind spots before you even reach them.

I hope that helps... Hope that makes sense. Talk soon.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Build A Stronger System”

I’m here in another day of fires and smoke everywhere.

The whole skyline is just covered in smoke here in the Bay Area and it's kind of frightening.

It reminds me of companies that grow so fast,

But then they outgrow the systems that they started with,

And sometimes it's wise for a fast growing company to take a pause on the growth.

Maybe not pause, but slow down the growth long enough that they can quickly rebuild the system underneath them,

So that it's strong enough and the foundation is strong enough to grow to the next level and Beyond.

We're facing the same thing in society with our systems of governing, our systems of advancement and Technology.

We have evolved so rapidly at such an amazing rate and in such an amazing way.

The way things like artificial intelligence and self-driving cars and human longevity and everything that's on the Forefront that way, it's amazing.

But if we're not also taking care of all of the people in our societies,

If we're not also taking care of the environment and the planet in which we live…

Which is giving us direct results of us not taking care of it…

It's showing us that 'hey guys. I think you need to kind of pay attention to me here and take care of this planet that we call home.'

It’s also showing up in the fact that we have a world-shaking pandemic happening right now.

These things are the Earth screaming at us saying 'guys slow down and pay attention and rebuild the systems in which you use for this advancement.’

If we think that we can just continue to pilfer the Earth in the name of profit and advancement,

We just won't be here, we'll frankly be gone in a generation or two tops.

If that's the way we want to go out, fine,

But I would rather be a part of the change and help to rebuild the system.

It's something that each and every one of us need to choose to do consciously both for the planet and and all the people that we share it with.

So, anyway, kind of a rant today,

But it was something that was up as I came out here

And I'm a bit frustrated that because of the smoke and the fires,

I'm not able to go walk in the woods as I normally do.

So I wanted to download that on you.

Let's rebuild the systems so that we can be ready for the next evolution of growth.

Much love. Talk soon.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Always Adapt”

Because things are ever-changing.

If you've been following my stories for any amount of time,

You may know that I've been enjoying recording these videos from the forest, walking in the forest.

Given what's happening here in the Bay Area right now, as you may be able to see,

That's not fog, that's smoke from the massive amount of fires going on in many different places,

Many around this part of the country right now.

It's a scary time.

It's kind of wild.

Not only do we have a pandemic on our hands,

But we also have now massive fires where it's actually challenging to be outside.

Areas are being evacuated, people are losing homes, losing their lives.

Obviously, it makes me remind myself of how grateful I am to have the things that I have and the life that we get to lead.

But it also reminds me of how quickly we must adapt to changing circumstances.

No matter what I'm doing in life and how I’m carrying myself through life,

There are going to be things that come up.

Forcing me to alter course.

Now these fires and the pandemic going on right now are absolutely two of those factors that have caused myself and many other people in this area

To have to alter course.

Rather than making it a big deal,

It just is what it is.

Look these are the new circumstances and now we have to go this way.

We can't go that way we were planning on going any longer.

We have to chart a new course and being matter of fact about it without getting caught up in the potentially frightening reality of the situation.

So I'm looking at this time as one of amazing opportunity,

And that may sound kind of weird and strange but many entrepreneurs know exactly what I'm talking about.

With every challenge comes opportunity.

With every great problem comes opportunity and this time on our planet is no different.

It's actually a fun part about what we're doing in this Stealth Mode project that actually has a point in the middle between the pandemics and these fires.

What we're working on is kind of in the center of those two things,

And you may think, what the heck do those two have in common?

Well, there's something key.

So anyway, without sharing too much, if you are interested, let me know and I'm happy to reach out to you and share a little bit more than I can share here publicly,

But figured I'd drop that in again.

If you want to keep following this journey just comment or reply FOLLOW on this message and I'll make sure you get future stories like this.

But again, the point today is to Adapt.

I'm constantly adapting.

And all of us are constantly adapting when these situations force us to,

But like stoic wisdom would say, you don't have to freak out about it.

Just simply change the course and move forward.

Talk soon...

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"A River Always Finds A Way”

I just had the chance to take a swim in an icy cold river here in this majestic Redwood forest and it reminded me of the qualities of a river.

And how a river has the destination of an ocean,

But that's sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles away.

It's amazing how far some rivers flow.

They have this long off destination,

And it's kind of blurry as to which way to go to get there,

But it's the river's guiding Guiding Light.

They know they're simply going to find a way.

They're going to go over, around, even through some obstacles to find the fastest and best way there,

But it's not always the straightest.

That approach of constantly being willing to go around and over and under rocks and trees and other obstacles

To get to that far off destination

Is a quality that I choose to take on in my life,

And something that I appreciate of these Majestic Forest creatures here.

So, I wanted to drop that on you. Hope it's helpful.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Seek Out Wisdom”

But only true wisdom.

Conventional self-help knowledge says to work with someone who's ahead of you on whatever path you're trying to walk and that's fantastic, right?

How do I get better? How do I learn from someone who's ahead of me?

But it's also sprung forth this plethora of coaches who teach tactics and strategies and teach them to the next guy and then he teaches the same tactics and strategies to the next guy and the next and the next

And now the fourth or fifth guy down the chain is trying to sell me on some coaching package.

That's all well and good, but that's not the wisdom that I'm talking about.

We have the opportunity here in our Stealth Mode project to be working with an Indigenous Hawaiian Elder.

Someone who carries the wisdom of the generations with her.

The stories…

The Traditions…

The practices...

And that wisdom is the kind that, rather than giving an answer and saying do this or do that, simply makes you think.

Anytime we ask this particular Elder, who we lovingly call Auntie,

When we have the opportunity to ask her something, she'll tell us a story.

She won't answer the question directly.

And this story may have seemingly nothing to do with what we asked.

But it'll be days later that, all of a sudden, it hits like

‘Oh my God, that's what Auntie was talking about!’

And it will resonate in some deep layer that we couldn't understand in the moment.

And so taking this approach in seeking true wisdom,

Not just some shiny object tactic or strategy,

Is what ultimately moves us forward in this world.

This is the same kind of wisdom that takes into account the whole system's approach to life.

The unfortunate reality is that the way we've thought about advancing Society for Generations has got us to the state that we're in here.

I am in Northern California and there's fires all around us.

Massive forest fires like in dozens of places.

It's kind of frightening and it's early for "Fire season."

So these tactics and strategies that get washed rinsed and repeated,

Have brought the planet to the place that it is right now.

But true wisdom…

True wisdom of the ancestors,

Takes into account that all life matters.

And all life should be accounted for.

And so when even asking a question about my personal health or about our project and the work that we're doing,

It's not just taking into account how I fix this or how I address this particular small issue.

It takes into account the whole picture.

So make sure you're seeking out true wisdom.

Not just some recycled tactics.

Talk soon.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Be Conscious About Your Legacy”

How do you want to be remembered?

Something that most people don't realize is that one way or another you're going to be remembered somehow.

For example, my great-grandfather…

My grandmother's father owned a grocery store in the Bronx and that's how she remembers him.

That's fantastic that he supported his family.

He was a pillar of the neighborhood.

He took care of people in the community and it's a beautiful Legacy.

And for many people taking care of their family, raising a wonderful family and supporting them and caring for them is a fantastic Legacy.

And then there are those of us that are called to something bigger.

We're called to leave a dent in the universe…

To leave this place better than we found it.

In a way that's larger than ourselves and our immediate family.

Again, there's nothing wrong with aspiring to raise a great family and take great care of them.

And if that's all you want to do, you probably don't resonate with a lot of these messages from me and that's okay.

I'm not for everybody.

But for those that are called to something more, be conscious of it.

This isn't about caring what people think.

I largely don't care what people think,

But I do care how I want to be remembered…

How I want to show up in the larger scheme of things.

Steve Jobs knew he was doing something big.

Elon knows he's doing something big.

Arianna Huffington knows she's leaving a dent.

Oprah has left a fantastic dent in the universe.

And it's not to compare myself to them…

There are people that are much less famous that have left an amazing Legacy and continue to.

But the point today is simply being conscious of the fact that one way or another, I'm leaving a legacy behind.

And so I must be conscious about what that is and how I'm going to do it.

To just drop a little bread crumb in this Stealth Mode journey here…

One of those pieces for me has to do with how this planet is in a tough place right now.

And we just continue to pillage.

So what kind of planet are we leaving behind for those that are going to come after us?

I choose for it to be a positive one.

So anyway, that's my rant for today.

Look, if you've been enjoying these stories about our Stealth Mode journey, just comment or reply FOLLOW on this and I'll make sure you get future messages just like this.

Remember to be conscious about the Legacy that you leave.

Much Love. Talk soon.

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"The Tortoise And The Hare"

The Tortoise is rich and the Hare is broke.

That was something that they left out of the parable of our youth and I think it's important to make that distinction.

I know when I first heard the story as a kid, I remember resonating with the Hare

At a certain level, my uncle used to call me Rabbit, so maybe it could have been an affinity that way.

But I resonated with the fact that he was fast and it felt like okay, he was just lazy that time around so he lost that race but we all know he could beat the Tortoise, like, what the hell.

But the key that was left out of that equation in that story is that the Tortoise is focused on the slow steady consistency - one step in front of the other and not stopping,

Continuing no matter what, because he knows that the Hare will get excited, run really fast, but then get bored,

Then stop, be lazy and just sit around.

And then like, oh yeah, let me run again - run really fast and then stop and be lazy and sit around.

And that's why the Tortoise wins because in the long run, which is all that really matters…

In the long run, what truly matters is that slow and steady consistency.

What are those actions I'm taking every single day, without fail, no matter how I feel,

No matter how much I want to kick a puppy…

I'm going to get up and do the workout that I have to do in the morning.

I'm going to move forward this piece of my business every single day, whatever it might be…

And taking those steps no matter what because that slow and steady consistency is what compounds.

I used to think, 'I'm going to work really hard for this month or two or three.’

But that doesn't get me anywhere right?

Because it's that consistency over time that actually makes the difference,

That actually compounds into a great business,

That actually compounds into a great life…

So, where in your life are you either being lazy or thinking that a short burst of energy is going to make a difference,

When in actuality, it's that slow and steady consistency that's actually going to make the difference in the end?

Talk soon...

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"All In Right Timing"

Because otherwise I'm fighting upstream.

For years, I would push my agenda and push my goals forward without any concept of right timing.

If I felt it was the most important thing that needed to be done or the shiniest object that I wanted to have accomplished,

I would push. I would grind. I would “achieve.”

And sometimes that worked - sometimes that was in alignment with the right timing…

And plenty of other times it didn't work.

Plenty of other times I was pushing something forward at the wrong time,

There were other people or other groups or initiatives that needed to be involved… That weren't ready…

And this isn't about the Universe or God or religion or anything along those lines.

Look, I believe in higher powers and there's definitely something to Divine timing in my personal opinion,

But that's not what I'm talking about here.

A perfect example - I'm working on something right now with our team.

What I feel is our most critical initiative right now is held up because one of my teammates is on vacation.

Now I could whine about that. I could complain about it

Or I could go on a tear and just push a bunch of stuff forward thinking to myself, or possibly even saying out loud: 'Oh, we don't need to wait for this person. Let's go go go go go.’

But all that would probably accomplish is extra work for me and whoever else fell into that trap with me,

Where we do the work now and then just do it all again when this person's back from vacation.

Now on the flip side, I'm not suggesting that I do nothing.

And wait for the right time and wait till everything's perfect.

If you know me at all, I'm sure you can appreciate that's not how I roll.

I'm one to act first…

You know… Ready. Fire. Aim. kind of approach…

So by no means am I suggesting that we should wait for everything to be correct.

This is more about trusting the alignment of people, of processes, of projects and of timing and sometimes that timing is not there.

Now, the way I roll, there's plenty of other things I can work on and accomplish that are also highly important.

It's not just about doing busy work.

Then there are other times when the timing isn't there and there isn't something very important and it's a day that's worth taking off early in the afternoon…

Things just aren't moving forward and I’m waiting on stuff and it's time to take a break.

So where in your life are you not trusting the timing?

And at the same time where in your life are you waiting for things to be just right, just perfect enough before you move forward.

And are you missing the window of opportunity that's open to you right now?

Talk soon...

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.

"Get Off Your Ass"

Today's about a little tough love.

I guess I don't understand how so many people…

And please, I understand that people lost jobs and you know their craft or whatever it is. They're not able to work.

And I respect that. I understand the challenge that we're facing right now.

And...

You should be using this time as an opportunity.

Because you're going to look back.

And this is about me personally, I would look back because I know there's going to be some great stories that come out of this time where people are going to say,

‘Hey, it was COVID and we had this problem. So we created this solution and it grew into a billion dollar brand.'

Or ‘Hey, you know, this thing happened. I was out of a job, had to figure out something, back against the wall and made this happen. Dream come true.’

So, how are you going to remember this time?

I don't care what it is. That's me, personally.

I'm an entrepreneur through and through. It's the way I'm wired. And so I think about businesses I can start.

But I mean even just learn how to cook.

'I learned how to cook XYZ Cuisine' or 'I'll learn to speak a second language.’

Whatever. I don't care.

'I learned to play the drums.’

That's something that's been on my list for a while. Haven't done it yet, but I'm also keeping myself busy.

To that end…

If there’s something inside you to help make a difference in this world.

That's something that's a big thing for me.

As Steve Jobs used to say, make a dent in the universe. Leave a dent.

And so, I'm aspiring to do that.

So, yeah, if you're at all interested in leaving a dent in the universe with us and you've got some gifts to share,

Just drop a comment or reply to this.

Let me know how you might be open to sharing your gifts.

Now as you may know, publicly, I can't share much about what our Stealth Mode project is.

But if you reach out and say 'hey, look I'm gifted in graphic design,’

Whatever - random suggestion - not saying we necessarily need help with that. But anyway,.

So ‘Hey Greg, I want to make a difference. Here are my gifts.’

And if there's a need that we have that fits those gifts, we'll fill you in on what we're doing and put you to work somehow.

We'll find a way that you can help us if it's the right fit.

And if it's not, no worries. We'll keep it in our back pocket.

So again, Get Off Your Ass.

It doesn't have to be anything I even said here today.

Just make this a time to remember.

Make sure you're not looking back on this epic time in our lives…

By the way, they're going to be talking about this for hundreds of years, unless it becomes a regular thing and we have pandemics on the regular

We're going to remember this time for the rest of our lives.

So, how are you going to come out of it with a great story to tell?

Talk soon...

===

#StealthMode

#Entrepreneurship #Startups #Sustainability #SocialEntrepreneurship #Startup #StartupStrategies #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurs

P.S. - I’ve been working on a fun and exciting new project for a while now, but we’re in Stealth Mode. In short, we’re working on something that affects each and every one of us, and we’re not shy about the scale and scope we’re going after. We’re keeping things under wraps right now, on purpose, until we’re ready to share more and invite people in. I’ll be talking about it regularly in my Stories like this, so if you want to follow along for little clues here and there, simply comment FOLLOW on this Story and I’ll make sure you get future Stories.