The Most Important Decision You’ll Ever Make

And why it matters now.

In his podcast, Morgan Housel says the most important decision you’ll ever make is “whether, when, and whom to marry”.

After 15 years of marriage, I think he’s absolutely right. Through ups and downs, my husband has shaped who I am today more than any other force in my life. (I like to think I’ve had a positive influence on him as well.)

Housel’s point is that not everything that’s important can be taught in school or easily measured. There’s no college course on surrounding yourself with great people, and yet your inner circle influences the size of your dreams, the actions you take, and the stories you tell yourself. They either expand what you think is possible or keep you thinking small. They mirror habits back to you (both good and bad). They become the voice that builds you up or pulls you down. And when you’re stuck, they might offer the fresh perspective that unlocks the next level.

Or in Jim Rohn’s words, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

When you invest your time and energy in your relationships – in marriage, business partnerships, friends, family – you’re trusting them to help you become a better version of yourself as well.

Building Community

Just like you wouldn’t marry someone who constantly doubted your dreams, criticized your ambitions, or kept you thinking small, you shouldn’t surround yourself with people who do those things either.

For entrepreneurs, having a community of business owners who understand why you’re doing what you’re doing is vital. You need to be around people who have been through what you’re going through, who trust your ability to do what is necessary to grow, and are savvy enough to keep you from repeating their mistakes.

I’ll be attending a coaching conference later this month, where I’ll surround myself with people who will upgrade my vision for the future, edit the stories I’m telling myself, give me some hard truths I probably need to hear, and help me see my business through fresh eyes. They’ll challenge, inspire, and guide me, and I’ll come home exhausted… but ready to take my practice to the next level.

Now It’s Your Turn

I’ve been working on something that’s all about applying this marriage principle to your professional and personal growth. I hope readers of this newsletter will become part of a local community where those kinds of breakthroughs happen. The kind of place you’re surrounded by people who see your potential and help shape your next chapter.

I can’t share all the details just yet, but if you’ve been feeling like you need people in your corner who will challenge you, support you, and help you become the business owner capable of the next level of success… you’re going to want to hear about what’s coming next.

This Week’s Takeaway

“No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team.”
– Reid Hoffman (co-founder, LinkedIn)

Slow Productivity: By Cal Newport

This is a great book for anyone feeling trapped by endless to-do lists, overflowing inboxes, and the pressure to always be “busy.” Newport challenges the modern obsession with hustle and constant output, offering instead a model of “slow productivity” that prioritizes quality and sustainability. He shows how to pursue accomplishment at a more human pace without sacrificing ambition or results.

Check it out!