I’m celebrating a summit right now.
Last year, I grew my business by more than 70%, by far the best year I’ve ever had. Even more meaningful, a business goal I’ve been writing down for over a decade finally came to fruition.
Success like that never happens by accident. It’s built through intentional choices, consistent action, and a willingness to recommit, especially when things get hard.
I talk about the four commitments that made the biggest difference for me in the video below. My hope is that one or two of these spark a renewed commitment for you in your own work or life.
Let’s break it down.
1. Decide If It’s Worth It
The first commitment came straight from the first Vertical Lesson in my book: Decide If It’s Worth It.
Why is it worth it for you to keep showing up?
Why is it worth pushing through the hard days?
Why stay consistent when motivation fades?
For me, the answer is my family.
To keep my Worth It front and center, I printed an 8×10 photo that means the world to me and taped it to the side of my computer monitor. Just regular paper. Nothing fancy.
Does it eventually become wallpaper? Sure. But subconsciously, it’s always there.
Every few weeks, I intentionally pause, look at it, and re-anchor myself. That moment of clarity reminds me why it’s worth staying disciplined and consistent in my business efforts.
Question for you:
What would help you stay connected to your Worth It when you are in the day to day grind?
2. Get On Belay
The second commitment was doubling down on another Vertical Lesson many of you know well: Get On Belay.
I was very intentional about identifying the people I needed to hold the rope for me.
My Business Coach
The biggest factor here was my relationship with my business coach, Mark LeBlanc.
There’s no way I could have accomplished what I did last year without him.
I didn’t just keep the relationship. I deepened it. I invested in increasing the frequency of our conversations, even when I didn’t feel like it. That accountability kept me focused, grounded, and moving forward.
My son
The other belay I doubled down on was my son, Manley III.
We met almost every Monday to coach each other through our businesses, using Vertical Lessons like Current Climb, clarifying priorities, and building momentum.
It was a double win:
- Stronger focus and execution
- A deeper relationship with my son
And truthfully, he helped me just as much as I helped him.
Question for you:
Who do you need holding the rope for you right now, and how can you invest in that relationship?
3. Invest in Yourself
The third commitment was a major one. I invested heavily in my business.
In mid-2024, I launched:
- A brand-new website
- A new keynote video
- A new keynote
It’s the best work I’ve ever done. A crazy situation I lived through became a message I now feel obligated to share with the world. Those investments helped people clearly see the value of my Exponential Commitment message.
That, without question, was a core driver of my growth in 2025.
I also invested in myself.
As I often do, I hired a speech coach to elevate my skills and ability to create an immersive experience for my audience. Growth requires sharpening the tools, even when no one else is paying for it.
Question for you:
What skill, if improved, would help you bring more value to your organization, your clients, or your mission?
4. Show Up Consistently and Positively, Especially on Social Media
I’ll be honest. I’m not a big fan of social media.
But I committed to it anyway.
Last year, I posted more consistently than ever before. And every time I felt like quitting, something happened:
- Someone shared a post
- Someone sent me a message of gratitude and encouragement to keep posting
- Someone stopped me in person to say, “I love your post. Thank you. That helped!”
Those moments mattered.
In a world saturated with negativity, encouragement is leadership. Being a positive force, even in small circles, creates real impact.
I’m incredibly grateful for every note, comment, and message. You truly keep me going.
A Final Word on Commitment
If there’s one theme that ties all of this together, it’s commitment.
Not 90%.
Not when it’s convenient.
But 100%, what I call Exponential Commitment.
Commitment to the work.
Commitment to growth.
Commitment to becoming a better human every day.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. If this message adds value, please share it with someone who might benefit. And if you ever have an opportunity where you think my work or keynote could serve a group or organization, I’d be grateful if you put my name in the hat.
Stay in touch. Let me know how I can best serve you.
On Belay!
