I’m lucky you’re here. I know this. I also wonder what, specifically, caused you to read this note.

Based on the emails, comments, and direct messages I receive, you’re here for one of the following three reasons: (1). Systems – how I’m maximizing my time and productivity; (2) Strategy – what I’m doing in business to scale; and/or (3) Sucky – a behind-the-scenes look at how hard scaling a business actually is.

Depending on what tickles your fancy, feel free to read only the parts that intrigue you…

The Premise: In a span of six days, I was in three different states for three different events. I was beyond honored, but it was also rather tenuous trying to do it all, balance it all, and love it all.

The Context: I spent two days in Palm Springs, CA speaking at the INC5000 Conference (it was SO awesome), then flew to Scottsdale, AZ to meet with Natalie Dawson of Cardone Ventures, then flew to Dallas to give a keynote at the HighLevel Summit.

The System: Each event I travel for, my E.A. creates a Notion doc with all of my travel information (which she links to from my Google calendar, and in an Asana task). It has everything I need to know in one place (flight, transportation, hotel, point of contact, etc.) so I’m fully prepared for each trip.

The Strategy: I wish I could take credit for this amazing idea, but happy we have an incredible team who is always innovating and staying one step ahead in Slack. I’m sharing the idea here, so you can use it too…

The Sucky: Despite our best efforts, there are things outside of our control. My personal goal is to travel everywhere with my daughter, Luna, but—sometimes—it just doesn’t make sense. My Dallas trip was supposed to be a quick turnaround, but my flight was delayed on the way home, so while I promised her I’d be home to tuck her into bed at night, I failed. When I got home, Luna was asleep. I crawled next her, under the covers, and I kissed her head a million times. Not gonna lie: I felt like I had somehow let her down. Around midnight, as I prepared to sleep, JD reminded me that life is what I make of it. Was I disappointed? Yes. Could I rearrange the next morning so that I could spend time crafting with her after breakfast? Yes. Could I grant myself grace as I find my personal definition of work/life balance? Maybe. I’m committed to trying and getting better.

I’m writing this with deep appreciation for:

• You, for joining this journey.
• My team, for creating systems and processes built to scale the business.
• Nick Sonnenberg whose system-building processes have changed the game for our team (note: you don’t wanna miss >>my podcast interview with him<< as it’ll help you SO much!)
• JD, for being the silver lining to life.

To Scaling,

j*