Nov. 25, 2024

Update - Life’s a Bitch, Get a Helmet!

Hey everyone, it’s Fri!

I wanted to take a moment to give you some updates about my life and share why they matter—not just to me, but to you too.

A Year of Change and Resilience

This year has been a whirlwind. At the beginning of the year, I attended classes for both the military and my civilian job. During this time, my wife and I welcomed our fourth child—a true miracle. She was a micro-preemie, born on Easter, weighing just 2 pounds and half an ounce. Fast forward almost seven months, and now she’s over 15 pounds! Watching all of our kids grow has been a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and how resilient we must be, especially when life feels fragile.

Pursuing Education

In July, I started school at American Public University, and so far, I’m doing well. In December, I’ll take on a third class as a trial to see if I can handle the rhythm of three classes at once. If I can, I’ll graduate next October with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technical Management, concentrating on Project Management. If not, I’ll adjust and stick to two classes, graduating by April 2026. Either way—this is happening!

Knowing how far I’ve come; I revisited the idea of pursuing a master’s and even a doctorate. After a lot of research and many discussions with my wife (who is my rock through all of this—love you!), I’ve decided on my path.

Once I complete my BAS, I’ll move on to a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with a concentration in Project Management with APU. Afterward, I’ll pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Project Management. This journey is exciting and nerve-wracking all at once, but I know I can do it.

Facing Doubts and Taking Accountability

When I first shared my goals publicly, I felt overwhelmed. My inner voice started to creep in: What if I fail? What if I can’t keep up? That voice almost sabotaged my progress, but I refused to let it win.

I deserve to prove to myself that I can do this. I want my kids to see that if “Daddo” can, they can too. This journey is about taking accountability, showing up for myself, and breaking down the barriers I’ve put up for far too long.

Research and Service

Because I’m aiming for a doctorate, I’ll need original research for my thesis and dissertation. Wouldn’t you know it—this podcast has already set me up for that! I plan to focus future episodes toward this goal, and I hope to find participants willing to help me build on what I’ve started.

This commitment will take the next four or more years to complete, but the beauty of it is that along the way, I’ll continue helping others. That’s the whole purpose of this podcast: to serve my brothers and sisters who need guidance as they heal and grow into their full potential.

Time to Stop Making Excuses

Looking back, I see how long I’ve delayed my own growth. I made excuses like:

  • “I’m not smart enough.”
  • “My schedule won’t allow it.”
  • “I can’t afford to do this.”

Sound familiar? It’s human nature to find reasons to avoid stepping outside our comfort zones. But do we really want to live lives that say, I’m not enough? Do we want to keep ourselves from growing?

The answer is no. It’s time to grow. It’s time to reach our full potential. Why wait? I refuse to let myself stand in my own way any longer.

Your Call to Action

What about you? Are you stuck in a cycle of excuses? Is there something you’ve been putting off—your one thing?

Let me tell you: It’s time.

You’ve planned, analyzed, and waited long enough. Stop holding yourself back because you’re afraid or worried about failing. Me too. But we can’t let fear win.

If you’ve been sitting on an idea, goal, or dream, this is your sign to start. Write that book. Launch that podcast. Take that leap in your career. The world needs what only you can offer.

I’ve been my own worst enemy, and I bet you have too. But together, we can overcome those inner voices telling us we can’t. Get up, get to work, and show yourself what you’re capable of.

We’re in this together. If I can take the leap, so can you. Let’s stop making excuses and start making progress.

And as always, remember: Life’s a Bitch, Get a Helmet.