Have you heard me use the acronym CANI? It stands for Constant and Never-ending Improvement.

The “CANI” mindset has been the foundation of my personal and professional growth. It’s about continuous learning, evolving and pushing forward — even in the smallest ways. Inspired by this, I’m starting something new: a series called “Chad’s 3 Things.” Each month, I’ll share what’s inspiring, challenging and exciting me — personal insights, lessons and ideas that are shaping my journey right now.

Here’s what’s on my mind this month:

3 Favorite Experiences of 2024

• I Got Outside My Comfort Zone: I completed my first triathlon alongside Josh Buffington. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that pushed me both physically and mentally. Training together and crossing the finish line was a reminder that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new challenges. 

• I Reset My Priorities: A trip to Turks and Caicos with my family allowed me to refocus this year. With the rush of life and my boys being busier than ever, this trip reminded me what’s truly important — resetting, refocusing and cherishing the moments that matter most. 

• I Was Reminded That Things Change: Visiting Captiva Island post-hurricane was bittersweet. It has been one of our favorite spots in the past, and this trip reminded me that things change, and events can sometimes alter our ideas of what “should be.” Never take anything for granted and keep rolling with life’s changes. 

3 Things to Elevate Your Leadership Game

• How to Stop Worrying and Start Living — Dale Carnegie: I’m diving back into this classic and finding its lessons more relevant than ever. It’s a timeless resource for shifting your mindset from overwhelm to clarity, offering practical strategies to reduce worry, focus on what truly matters and approach challenges with renewed confidence.
• Dan Martell: Lately, I’ve been following Dan Martell’s work, and it’s been a game-changer. His insights on stepping away from being an “operator” and embracing the mindset of a true business owner have really challenged the way I think about leadership. 
• The Designed Leader Digital Course: This year, I took a big step and launched my first digital course, The Designed Leader. It’s been incredibly rewarding to make this valuable content accessible to everyone, no matter where they are in their leadership journey. Whether you’re looking to refine your personal leadership skills or drive meaningful change within your organization, this course is built to help leaders at every level grow, thrive and lead with purpose.

3 Things That Excite Me About 2025

• My Non-negotiables: Two quotes have stuck with me recently: “Be willing to eliminate anything in your life that doesn't add value,” and “Focus on what matters and delete the rest.” Taking these to heart, I’ve done an audit of my life and uncovered a lot of unnecessary noise that doesn’t align with what I truly value. In the year ahead, I’m committing to doubling down on daily essentials, cutting out distractions, and freeing up space to focus fully on what matters most. It’s a refreshing shift, and I can’t wait to see the impact.
• Building My Team: I am excited about the direction of the business and the team we are building. We have grown exponentially in 2024, and I see it continuing in 2025. My role in the company is shifting and the team is taking over. I love it. Growth for me is hard, because I have a hard time letting go. I tend to be the biggest roadblock. That being said, with the team we have (and continue to build), my trust level has never been so high. I know in the next year, we will be a bigger company, better company, and adding even more value and impact. All due to the amazing team. That excites me.
• New Offerings: We’re expanding our impact, our reach and our offerings this year. If you’re still reading, you’re the first to know – later this year, we’ll be releasing a digital course on how to deliver high-impact presentations, as well as courses specifically for sales leadership. Stay tuned for more to come on this!

Every one of these “things” reminds me that life, leadership and impact are all about intention. Hopefully this sparked some motivation for you to reflect on where you’re at currently, and where you want to be in 2025. 

CC