To start the year, I decided to try something completely new. Business has been great for the past couple of years. My life is chaotic with four kids and a lot of stuff always going on, but everything always just seems to fall into place. In the world we live in, where everything seems to be a disruptor, I decided to disrupt my life a little bit.

Beginning this week, I became a part-owner of a Ford dealership. It may make a lot of sense that in my business that would be a natural tie, but the two things are very separate in how they operate and function. It will require more people, more man-hours, and more of my time. But it gives me such a great sense of excitement to embark on something new when so much other stuff is going on.

I’ve always been a person who thrives on being busy. In fact, if I’m bored or don’t have enough to do, things can sometimes be more chaotic than they need to be. But, making myself vulnerable was something that I really wanted to do. I’m entering into a field that I don’t know, investing a very large amount of money, and putting a lot of trust in my own ability to do more than I’ve ever done before.

Vulnerability is not always seen as a bad thing, in my opinion. When you make yourself vulnerable, you see how much more you’re able to do, how much more you can take on, and even how much more you can simply handle from a mental standpoint. Cheers to 2023, where I’m trying to make myself as vulnerable as I can be.

It is just like in baseball for me, the feeling you get when you are almost finished with the year. Just like a base runner rounds 3^rd base running wide open headed for home, this time of year I get the same feeling. There is so much to do and so little time to do it that you are going as fast as possible, short of breath and just trying to reach the finish line. The end is in sight, but you still have to run as fast as you can to get there.  There is no giving up, slowing down or even dropping your stride in the smallest least bit when it is the end of the 4^th quarter and you are almost to the finish.

For me, running wide open all the time is a passion. (And I don’t mean the act of physically running, for that is one form of workout I cannot stand). But I enjoy the fact that most things in life are nonstop. It doesn’t stress me out when things are flying past you in the moment. In fact, I usually find myself the most stressed and most anxious when there are too few things going on. The thing I love most about my job and what makes it truly the right career for me is the pace – the fast pace. Having never been one to slow down or sit around and wait, I have truly found my calling in life to do what I do. It can be draining, exhausting and downright depressive some days with all the stuff you have to deal with, but there is always a new challenge and a new project to work on. It is also fun to run fast because you can always outrun your mistakes, and I have made a lot of them in my past.  If you go fast enough and try enough new things, then you can outnumber your losses by having a lot of wins and it causes you to think less and less about what you failed at. But by living a life drawn to speed and velocity, you can simply get ahead of just about anything in your way.

Another point about the end of the year being so fast is you are always trying to cram more into a set amount of days than you are at most other times of the year. The days are shorter, and the list of things to do is longer because you are working with a deadline that falls on everyone’s calendar in the last day of the year. It is more hectic and a time of higher anxiety than any other time of the year, even before you add the holidays into the mix.  Then, along with the holidays and the need to be in a lot of different places, you can rev your engine so high that you are at your very limits, only seconds away from blowing up.

Once I get to home base or the finish line, then and only then it is time to rest. Just like a baseball player touches home base then slowly walks into the dugout, that is how it feels to me once you have stopped traveling and hit that time period that is 1-2 days before Christmas. It truly is the greatest time of the year for me with the feeling of the most accomplishment when you have finished the race and can marvel at the fact that you just scored your final time.

The pace is fast, the tension is high and everything is on the line, but that is truly what I enjoy about life this time of year the most.

As I travel around the country exposed to a lot of different dealership owners, I get to see a lot of things. There are many different styles, concepts, strategies, and ideas at play. Usually, I get to walk away from each meeting/visit picking up something new. It truly may be the most rewarding part of my job besides the constant winning that makes it so rewarding.

A lot of times, I see areas of opportunity in most places. There are things that people are not doing for their business that I have seen other people in other places do and become successful because of. That was not the case today in Omaha, Nebraska.

About seven years ago, I got my first assignment in Omaha with a guy who totally took me by surprise. After several calls/discussions on the phone, he seemed to know what he was talking about from a business standpoint, and I had nothing but time on my hands with zero to lose. So, I flew out to Omaha in December to meet him. When I say it was cold, getting off the plane was a whole new kind of cold, something I had never experienced. My bones even felt cold.

Then, to my surprise when I showed up at the meeting, this guy looked like he was barely out of college. I thought to myself, how is this guy going to make a decision to hire us?  Myself being someone who people often think is younger than I actually am, my only way to keep myself positive was to think that I used to be this way. As it turned out, not only did he hire us, but the last seven years together have turned his business into an absolute empire. They have added dealerships, become number-one in their state across almost all brands, built a massive used car operation, and then today he walks me through his new car wash that he is building that, yet again, will be the largest in the state.

As I walked around with my client, now also a friend, I thought about what I might learn from today, and this is it: you can never dream big enough. There are very few people in this world who dream big. Even fewer have enormous dreams. But I saw living proof of it today in Omaha and will encourage everyone I know to always think that way.

There are mornings like this morning where it just seems surreal. I got up early before the sun comes up, got dressed, headed to the airport, and wheels were up at 7:01 a.m. As the sun is rising, so is the plane. I just think about how great our country is where you can have a career or a business and can go anywhere you want and do anything you want to do.

As we kept gaining altitude, I thought about how fun it is to travel to all corners of America. It’s a random Wednesday in September, and I’m headed to the far north Midwest, where I get to go meet new people, talk about the service that my company provides, and experience a whole different lifestyle than the one I have at home.

It’s truly a great thing that I love about what I get to do. Different places, different days, different people, new ideas, new strategies, making things happen, and creating a positive environment. It’s just really one thing that I love about America and what America allows you to do.

It’s not for everyone. Some people get tired of the travel. Some people get tired of the wear and tear, and some just flat-out don’t want to do it. But for me, it’s the only life I know. It’s the only life I really want. And it’s so rewarding at the end of each day to go from city to city, place to place, meeting new people and having new opportunities. To me, that’s what America really is all about.

After taking quite a break from writing on this blog, I spent a lot of time thinking about life: the ups, the downs, the twists, and the turns. And I have come to one very non-profound conclusion: I’m just happy to be here.

The last 60 days have been a lot of fun. There have been a lot of big things happening. There’s been a lot of turmoil. There’s been a lot of ups, there’s been a lot of downs. There’s been the greatest moments of happiness in my life, and some of the greatest moments of sadness. Yet, while all this has happened, it has made me reflect on just being happy being. That’s probably not a very profound statement to a lot of people, but as I continue to go through life, what I seem to find is really a feeling of enjoyment for just living in the moment. Big situations used to scare the hell out of me. Bad things that happen used to frighten me. I used to live some days in fear. But I’ve gotten past it because, with every new thing that happens, each and every day comes as a new opportunity; a new experience. I no longer live with a concern of anything being over my shoulder. In fact, some days I literally feel weightless that nothing makes me uneasy. It’s truly an enjoyment just being here.

As I was flying today, I looked out the window gazing over the earth and wondered how many times? How many times has it happened in my career? There, out the left side window, I saw the Mississippi River and just wondered, how many times have I crossed you?

Maybe it’s because for 150 years very few people ever got a chance to cross it, and the phrase “west of the Mississippi” was such a popular phrase in society. Or it could be because I think back to 2006 when I first went out to Texas alone and signed a rather large account. Better yet, maybe it’s because, regardless of whether I am coming home or going out on a mission, I can look down, see the river, and know exactly where I am at.

Then, my thoughts turn to the many years and millions of miles I have spent flying across the country, and truly wonder how many times I have crossed this amazing piece of geography. Regardless of what thought triggers in my mind, I can merely look out in vast amazement at the twists and turns of such a massive beast and think about how cool and reflective the Mississippi River is of life in general.

Sometimes things go your way…

Sometimes they don’t go your way…

Sometimes you’re cruising down a current…

Sometimes you’re battling the current with all your might…

Sometimes it’s too murky to see your future and what’s out in front…

Sometimes it’s as clear as a bell…

Sometimes you look at it in amazement…

Sometimes you look at it and you are scared to death to cross it…

Regardless of how you look at things on any certain day, no matter how many times, I fly over the mighty Mississippi and think about something.

This Sunday, May 29^th, 2022 will mark exactly 20 years since I started my career.

A young, clean-cut, in-shape, fresh college grad with wide eyes, a deep voice, and a relentless sense to outwork everyone around me had a whole lot to learn about the world and business. My very first employer, Martin Advertising, took a chance on me with very little to lose. My starting annual salary was $28,500, and I was totally in awe about how far I could spread a paycheck and how much I could live like a king compared to my buddies still in college. But someone looked at a P&L statement from Martin and probably said, “What’s it going to hurt to hire him? We are already short-staffed anyway,” and away my journey began.

The early days were epic in my mind. I would get to work before everyone and leave after everyone even if there wasn’t that much to do. I looked for what I could learn and studied everything I could about the automotive marketing business. It only took until about day 3 of that first week for me to know that I had found my calling. I was hooked.

From then, the days started to blur. Projects came and went pretty rapidly back in those days, and I was beginning to show I had some ability. And much to his credit, David Martin saw that and began to give me way bigger opportunities than he probably should have for my experience. I was invited to bigger meetings and asked to work on bigger projects, and my career was on a meteoric rise. It was fun in those days, and it was fast. A lot of moving parts, always on the phone, building projects, and selling services.

I truly had no idea how much I was failing.

Now there were no public failures; there isn’t a moment where I am going to say I went to a meeting and clammed up and couldn’t talk, but there were small failures every day. The failure early on to recognize the value of people. The failure to enjoy every minute of the day. The failure to realize it isn’t just you on a meteoric rise, it is the collective effort of everyone around you that is helping you succeed.  I was oblivious to it back then and for many years to follow.

Then, in 2004 with the financial help of my dad, Mike Strong, we bought a failing advertising company and had the goal of turning it around. Well, again I failed from day 1 in this endeavor. Thinking everyone would be willing to help me succeed, I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Most of the people in the company I had just sunk every nickel I had into didn’t really care for me (to put it lightly). There had been a culture in existence before I arrived, and I don’t think anyone liked my energy, speed, or what I represented. In truth, I think most of them wanted me to fail and probably only stayed employed at the company to watch it happen.

But through sheer grit and determination, and with the help of some really devoted people, the company was turned around and began to make an upward climb. All along, I was failing somewhere at something every single day.

Some days I would fail because I wasn’t brave enough, trying to hide from the issues that needed to be addressed. Some days I failed because I would try to micromanage people and get in their way of being successful. Some days I failed because I lacked a large enough vision of where I was going and was too conservative in my decision making. Other days I failed because I just acted like a jerk. To this day, I still have these days of failure. There are days when it’s hard to get out of my own way, and it limits my ability to grow. Some days are days when I don’t show enough appreciation to people who are working their asses off and all they want is a little praise.

Yep, the way I see it – I have failed at something every single day for the last 19 years and 363 days of my career.

If you know me well, your mouth may be on the floor because the guy who preaches “Attitude is Everything” has just gone on a total rant about failure. What the hell is happening?

The truth is, failing and the fear of failure have always been what drive me. I have been so afraid of failing that I am willing to do anything in order to be successful. Days, weeks, and even months of working nonstop to the ragged edge drive me to succeed because I simply will not accept failure. We all fail at something every day, and it is nothing to be ashamed of as long as you continue to pull yourself up out of bed the next day and get right back at it.

I’ve failed at life, friendships, relationships, marriage, and parenting, but I always keep trying. It’s the will to keep going that makes my motto “catch me if you can.”

Nineteen years and 363 days is a long time, but I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for having some type of failure every day and the willingness to get my ass up and keep marching forward.

There isn’t a phrase that I laugh at more than when I hear people say, “You should stop and smell the roses.” It’s never been in my DNA to want to stop and coast or simply sit back and let things just naturally happen.  Plus, from the fact I had major sinus surgery 5 years ago and caught Covid-19 at least twice that I know of, I really have no sense of smell anyway.

I read the quote this morning from NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice that says, “I am willing to do things that other people won’t do today, so I can do things tomorrow that other people can’t do.” This is a pretty accurate statement that describes how I think and act. Most people aren’t willing nor would ever want some of the stress, anxiety, or fear that comes along with what I do – let alone the time commitment it requires of long hours of travel, countless late nights on the phone and checking email, or the brutal nature that having responsibility creates.

So when someone told me the other day that I needed to take more time to “stop and smell the roses,” I looked them dead in the eye and said, “SCREW THE ROSES.” I showed up today to win and win big.

Now I have written notes about taking time off to enjoy my family and have fun, but to me, that is not the same as “smelling the roses.” The amount of time I owe my family to repay all the time and distractions I have on a daily basis will never be fully repaid. All the money in the world can’t replace time. You can only try to be better each day, and that is what I have tried to do.

But smelling the roses? Not for me, not at all.

Going wide open and doing more than even I can possibly fathom? Check Please! Sign me up for that and I will take that lifestyle, own it, and call it living my best life.

As I finish my day on April 6, 2022, I look at the clock and I have been sitting at my desk for exactly 12 hours. I got up early, worked out, showered, got to work, and was working by 7:15 a.m. I went through all day and had a wonderful day. To me, I’m not a person who gets frustrated by work. And many people would say, “well, no shit John Paul, you own the company. Your name’s on the building.” But to me, it’s not about that. It’s about the fun of winning. Because today was all about winning. Whether it was turning around a client that was going sideways, adding new clients to the ever-growing company roster, or sitting around some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever been able to work around who also work as hard as I do, it’s just fun.

But don’t think it’s not lonely, because it is. I’ll probably get home in time tonight to see three of my four kids before they go to bed. But that’s okay. Because, even though they’re young, I think they know what I’m working for. And I think they know why I’m working for it. Don’t think it’s not lonely, because it’s lonely as shit. Most everybody left at 5 p.m., a few people by 5:30 p.m., one person at 6 p.m. But, it’s just sometimes invigorating to be able to build something, watch something grow, and be a part of something.

That’s why I’m able to work the way I’m able to work. Don’t think it’s not lonely, because it is. But it’s also a hell of a lot of fun, and there is nothing else in the world I would rather do.

Lately, I have been wound a little tight.

The year is off to a roaring start, the company is getting record amounts of new clients, and I have several projects going on outside of the business that are rolling. Things are as busy as they have ever been, but it’s all moving like a bullet train. And it feels like every day there is some type of newfound personal drama going on that I find myself having to solve.  Most of this drama can be found inside the walls of the agency but occasionally something comes up outside as well.

I have never been one who deals with drama well. I tend to think along the lines of: things are either black or white. I don’t like to and have never lived in the gray areas, so when dealing with these situations it becomes very apparent that I have a short fuse. When operating my life at a very high rate of speed, I have always preferred that everyone who is along for the ride just sit down, shut up, hang on, and enjoy the ride. But I realize not everyone thinks that way, so moments of self-calming have to be applied so I don’t burn up everyone around me.

All this to say that thus far in 2022, I think I have been wound a little too tight.

So this week I am taking a remedy for that. I will be unwinding, down on an island with only 3 cares in the world.

1. Where’s the boat?
2. Where’s my beer?
3. What time are we eating?

I doubt there will be too much to wind me up this week, but if it does happen I am sure it will be in a much more peaceful setting. For many years, I never took time off. I believed that if I worked harder and more that it would lead to more success. Then about 5 years ago, it dawned on me how much of my life had gone by and how much of it had been strictly dedicated to working.

So, I started taking time for myself. And in taking this time for myself, I figured out it was a lot more fun to take time off in very cool spots, and it truly has made unwinding a lot more fun.