Howdy, Zack here. Stop it. Stop doing the things that aren't working for you. Sound too simple? Well, it's not. It's one of the hardest things to do. Yet, funny enough, once you've done it, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. You know what's not working for you. Ugh, lump in my throat. I have a few that come to mind right now. It might be eating too much, not working out, wasting time on social media, getting caught up in drama, focusing on big world issues (like politics), or pretty...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Howdy, Zack here. I love you. Yes, you. And, that love is not conditional. We all have our faults. I know when I've been at my worst, that I need others' love the most. Unless you've been living under a rock or you've intentionally disconnected (can't blame you), you've seen the effect of deliberate division — the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump. No matter your political beliefs, this sort of hatred has no place in our world. It stems from the polarization of our...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Howdy, Zack here. When will it be time? We often wait for that perfect 'when' — the moment everything falls into place. But what if 'when' is actually right now? As a dad of triplets on the brink of their senior year, time feels more precious than ever. Everything has been one-and-done for us. Before long, my wife, Gwen, and I will be seeing our 3 off to college. Thus, each moment matters more. Can you relate? When certain chapters come to an end, we tend to feel the gravity of our decisions...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Zack here. Grace is freely given by God to each of us, yet we often withhold it from ourselves and others. Consider your day yesterday—were there moments where having more grace could have made a positive difference? I can recall several moments from my own day: being quick to judge, lacking patience, not listening attentively, and sometimes telling rather than asking. As Edgar H. Schein eloquently states in his book, "Humble Inquiry": "What we choose to ask, when we ask, what our...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Zack here. When you're fooling yourself, you're the fool. You can wake up day after day and pretend that everything is okay. You can put on a good smile and 'fake it until you make it', as they say. You might fool your peers, your team, and even your family. But, deep down, you know you're struggling. I know, I've been the fool. I allowed issues to stack up in work and life. I put off doing numerous things I knew I needed to do. I didn't handle those tough situations, because it would...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Zack here. Why do some leaders make 'it' look easy? In my coaching practice, Top Teams, we discuss the six S's that Top Leaders do better than most: SOLIDIFY | build strong foundations STRATEGIZE | plan & iterate SIMPLIFY | reduce complexity STICK w/ IT | plan our work / work our plan SHAPE | lead the way SERVE | our circle of impact It's one thing to list these abilities, but how can you embody them? Here's a roadmap I share with my clients: 3 STEPS Take a Mental Assessment: Rate...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Zack here.I have it. You have it. We all have it. It's called 'head trash'. It's that junk that rolls around inside your head. It tells stories of you not being worthy, capable, or good enough. It's evil stuff, and it prevents you from achieving your calling. I know. I've leaned into it and found myself incredibly stuck at times in my life. I played out that negative narrative and allowed it to control me versus me, shaping the destiny God called me to live out freely. You can't blame...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Howdy, Zack here. Ever contemplated the fleeting nature of life? The notion that everything you do, everything you strive for, seems to dissolve into the ether like Dust in the Wind? Yet amidst this seemingly bleak perspective, I’m reminded of a profound truth—a truth that transcends the ephemeral nature of our existence while giving our lives meaning and purpose. As a Christian, I believe that we are more than just dust. We are part of a divine tapestry woven by the Creator Himself, each...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Howdy, Zack here.There is no tomorrow. There is no yesterday. There is only today. We plan for the future. We reflect back to the past. Yet, the most important moment is now. It's easy to get caught up in thinking about the future or reminiscing about the past. I'm guilty of this, too. My wife, Gwen, and our kids will tell you so. They know how much I love seeing the old photos of 'when' scroll across the Apple TV. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as it doesn't overshadow the...
5 months ago • 1 min read