Tag Archive for: Personal Growth

Rethink What Success Really Means This Thanksgiving

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As millions of us prepare to reconnect with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday season, I want to encourage you to reconsider how you measure success.

It’s easy to focus on income, career achievements or material possessions. But I believe the truest measures are the experiences, relationships and lessons that have shaped your life.

Success isn’t always about what you’ve accomplished or how much you’ve accumulated. Sometimes the greatest rewards come from the people who’ve shared your experiences, helped you through difficult times and made your life better along the way.

The Journey Principle

In my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I call this The Journey Principle: Success is about the experiences you have, the relationships you build, and the lessons you learn.

Lessons From a Cabin on Lake Blaine

That philosophy grew partly from my childhood in Montana. My father spent years building and expanding our family cabin on Lake Blaine, and my siblings and I frequently helped with construction.

Finishing the cabin was the goal, and my dad was perfectly happy doing the work himself.

But I came to realize my father found his satisfaction in the time he spent teaching and working alongside his children.

Looking back, the shared experiences and the relationships they strengthened were far more important than completing the cabin.

Three Ways to Put The Journey Principle Into Practice

With Thanksgiving approaching, here are three ways to live The Journey Principle:

  1. Thank someone who shaped your journey. Reach out to a parent, friend, mentor or former colleague. Tell that person specifically how their encouragement, example or support made a difference.
  2. Make time for meaningful connections. Use holiday gatherings to ask about family stories, shared experiences and lessons learned. Give people your attention and listen to their answers.
  3. Recognize the value of unexpected lessons. Reflect on an experience that didn’t go as planned but helped you grow. Consider what it taught you and how that lesson influences your life today.

The People Who Make It Meaningful

My greatest personal and professional lessons have reinforced the importance of relationships, especially with those closest to me.

Thanksgiving gives us a wonderful reason to look around and appreciate the people who’ve helped us become who we are. Years from now, we may not remember every accomplishment, but we’ll remember the experiences we shared and the people who made them meaningful.

Gratitude Beyond the Holiday

Make gratitude more than a seasonal expression—put it into action throughout the year.

The journey is happening every day. Don’t become so focused on reaching your next goal that you overlook the people and experiences that make getting there worthwhile.

I shared a version of this article in a news release on November 2, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Three Ways to Celebrate International Music Day

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Oct. 1 is International Music Day, and I want to encourage you to experience music for what it truly is—a force that can reduce stress, lift spirits, and connect people across cultures.

International Music Day celebrates the world’s diverse musical traditions and music’s ability to advance peace, friendship, and mutual appreciation. As a lifelong musician who plays guitar and sings, I think the day offers a simple invitation: slow down, listen, and share music with a friend.

Music is medicine for the soul. It can meet us where we are emotionally, help us reset, and bring people together even when they’re from different backgrounds or languages.

Why Music Is Personal to Me

In my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I write about how music filled my childhood home and became my passion. My parents loved music so much that they bought a piano before they could afford a car. I grew up singing, playing instruments, and dreaming of performing on stage.

When music comes from the heart, the connection between the musician and the audience is honest and powerful. Music speaks to the soul like nothing else can. It has transformed my life.

What the Research Shows

Research points to two clear benefits of making music part of daily life.

  1. Music can help regulate stress and emotion. A review of 47 studies involving 2,747 people found that music therapy can significantly reduce physical and emotional stress. Research also suggests that listening to music can calm the body and help people manage difficult emotions.
  2. Music can strengthen human connection. Research on music and social bonding indicates that listening, singing, and making music together can encourage shared emotion, coordination and a stronger sense of belonging.

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Three Ways to Celebrate International Music Day

  1. Listen beyond your usual playlist. Choose a genre, artist or musical tradition from another culture. Give it your full attention and learn something about the people and history behind it.
  2. Experience music with other people. Attend a local concert, school performance, community event or open-mic night. Live music creates a shared experience that a solo playlist cannot fully duplicate.
  3. Share a song that matters to you. Send a favorite tune to a friend or family member and share why it matters. Then ask them to send one back. A simple exchange can start a meaningful conversation and introduce both of you to something new.

Let Music Bring a Little More Harmony

You don’t need to be a professional musician to feel music’s power. Sing, play, listen or share a song.

On Oct. 1, let music help you find a little more peace within yourself and a little more harmony with the people around you.

I shared a version of this article in a news release on October 1, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Find a Way to Serve Others, Then Act

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I want to challenge you to make service a more intentional part of your life. Find someone who needs help, then act.

This invitation reflects what I call The Holland Principle in my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony: “Find opportunities to serve, then act.”

No matter how unexceptional we think we are, each of us has a great capacity to help others, to make someone’s life better.

 

Where The Holland Principle Began

I developed this principle during volunteer missionary service in the Netherlands. I was living modestly and working long weeks, what changed my outlook was focusing less on the difficulties and more on the people I was there to serve.

That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and my leadership career: good intentions matter only when they lead to action.

You don’t have to leave town to serve people. Countless needs are everywhere. How many people just need a friend, someone to talk to or sit with, someone to say hello and care about them?

 

Sometimes Service Means Listening

In All the Right Reasons, I recall meeting with a woman who was struggling in her marriage. She talked for an hour, and I listened without interrupting. Later, her husband thanked me for helping her. I told him, “I think you need to listen more.”

Sometimes servant leadership is simply giving someone a listening ear without judging them. I’ve found it’s better to listen more than you talk.

 

Three Ways to Put The Holland Principle Into Action

  1. Pay attention. Look for the coworker under pressure, the neighbor who needs help, the isolated family member or someone who needs a listener.
  2. Start small and start now. Make the call. Send the message. Offer a ride. Deliver a meal. Listen without judging. The act matters more than its size.
  3. Make service a habit. My family and I made a Christmas Eve tradition of serving others, from helping at a homeless shelter to assisting families in need.

 

What I’ve Seen Through USANA

I’ve also watched this principle work on a larger scale. Traveling with USANA founder Dr. Myron Wentz to humanitarian projects, I saw firsthand what food and nutrition assistance can do for a community. Through those efforts, the USANA Foundation has delivered over 120 million meals and aims to feed 20,000 families by the end of 2026.

But I don’t believe meaningful service should be measured by money, scale or recognition. Those of us with plenty have the highest obligation to serve and help those who are less fortunate. You can make the world a better place and change your own life in the process.

 

Look Around, Find the Need, Do Something

This month, I invite you to keep it that simple. Look around. Find the need. Do something.

 

I shared a version of this article in a news release on September 1, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Moneyball’s Secret to Reaching Goals

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Big goals can be exciting. They can also become intimidating when all you can see is how far you still have to go.

But I’ve always been impressed with the baseball story told in the movie Moneyball.

As you may know, the Oakland A’s became famous for challenging a decades-long strategy to how baseball games are won. Instead of building everything around dramatic home runs, they placed a huge value on something less glamorous: getting players on base.

Get on base. Create another opportunity. Keep moving runners forward.

I think there’s a life lesson in that.

Most meaningful accomplishments I’ve experienced didn’t happen because of one spectacular moment. They came from repeatedly doing the next meaningful step.

Here are six ways I’ve learned to approach goals one base at a time.

  1. Know where home plate is. You need a clear destination. Define what success actually looks like to you. Otherwise, you can work incredibly hard while running in the wrong direction.
  2. Stop trying to hit a home run every day. This is a powerful concept. I’ve found that some days, success is making just one phone call, solving one problem or having one important conversation. And you can’t discount small wins because they don’t look impressive.
  3. Break the field into sections. I learned this literally. As a teenager, I borrowed money to buy the professional drum set I desperately wanted. To make the payments, I landed a job mowing an entire baseball field with a push mower.

It was enormous.

So I stopped looking at the whole field. I divided it into sections: first the infield, then the outfield. One strip of grass after another with my mower. Eventually, the field was finished and my drum payments were made. That experience became part of what I call The Piano Principle: When you really want something, make it happen.

  1. Keep showing up after the excitement is gone. Goals are fun when they’re new. But progress usually happens later, when nobody is cheering and you’re doing the same important work again.

I’ve learned that consistency beats intensity that doesn’t last.

  1. Measure movement, not perfection. Ask yourself: Did I move one base closer today? That question is far more useful than asking whether you accomplished everything on your list.
  2. Finally, help someone else advance. Counterintuitive, right? But some of the most meaningful progress comes from helping another person get closer to their goal. Make the introduction. Share what you know. Solve the problem. Open the door.

Helping other people move forward has a remarkable way of moving your own life forward too.

We tend to celebrate the home runs, and that’s okay. But most successful lives and careers are built differently.

One conversation.

One relationship.

One problem solved.

One person helped.

One base at a time.

You don’t have to win the whole game today. Just get on base.

#GoalSetting #Leadership #PersonalGrowth

Are we connected on LinkedIn? There, I share posts about professional development skills, self-care reminders, and other relevant topics.

5 Ways to Make Happiness Happen at Work and Home This August

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August is recognized as Happiness Happens Month, and I want to encourage all of us to intentionally notice, create, and share more moments of genuine happiness—at work and in our personal lives.

Happiness isn’t a prize you receive after everything goes perfectly. It grows through the choices you make, the people you value, and the good you decide to do today. Small moments count, and they add up faster than most people realize.

Happiness Happens Month is celebrated throughout August, with Happiness Happens Day observed Aug. 8 to encourage people to appreciate everyday joy and share it with others. Here are five practical ways to put that idea into action.

 

Five Ways to Make Happiness Happen

  • Notice What Is Already Good. Begin or end each day by naming three specific things that went well. Gratitude trains your attention to see progress instead of only problems. At work, that improves perspective and keeps setbacks from taking over the day. At home, it helps you appreciate the people and experiences you might otherwise overlook.
  • Create One Moment of Joy. Schedule a simple activity you genuinely enjoy, such as listening to music, walking outside, calling a friend, cooking with family, or returning to a hobby. Happiness rarely needs a large budget or a perfect calendar. A short break that restores your energy can sharpen your thinking at work and make you more present with the people you love.
  • Recognize Someone Specifically. Thank a colleague, family member, friend, or service worker for something specific they did. General praise is pleasant, but specific appreciation is powerful. It tells people their effort mattered. That builds trust in the workplace and strengthens relationships everywhere else.
  • Help Without Being Asked. Look for one burden you can lighten. Share information, assist a coworker, run an errand, mentor someone, or serve in the community. Service moves happiness beyond a private feeling and turns it into something useful. That one act can improve someone else’s day and usually improve your own at the same time.
  • Protect Time for the People and Priorities That Matter. Put meaningful relationships and activities on the calendar before less important demands consume the time. Your schedule reveals what you truly value. When you protect time for important people, you reduce regret, deepen connection, and return to work with greater clarity and purpose.

 

The Piano Principle

My own happiness began at home. In All the Right Reasons, I recall that my parents bought a piano before they bought a car because music mattered deeply to our family. Without a car, my father rode a bicycle to work and carried my mother on the back for trips to the store. We still own that piano.

My parents didn’t wait until life became convenient to make room for what brought our family joy. They chose music, sacrifice, and time together. That lesson has stayed with me through my family life, my career, and every stage I’ve had the privilege to play. Happiness becomes more durable when it is connected to your values.

I call that lesson the Piano Principle: When you really want something, make it happen. The same principle applies to happiness. Don’t wait for it to appear. Make a choice, take an action, include another person, and give happiness a place to happen.

 

Make Happiness Happen This August

The benefits extend well beyond a temporary good mood. A person who regularly practices gratitude, connection, service, and healthy enjoyment becomes more resilient. At work, that can mean better collaboration, stronger morale, and clearer decisions. In personal life, it can mean deeper relationships, more energy, and a greater sense that your days reflect what matters most.

Throughout August, look for a moment to notice, create, or share happiness—at work, at home, or in between. Small moments add up. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Make happiness happen.

 

I shared a version of this article in a news release on August 5, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

World Cup Determination Shows the Power of Grit, Preparation, Persistence

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As World Cup soccer players push through pressure, fatigue, setbacks and global expectations, their pursuit of victory carries a lesson that reaches far beyond the field.All the Right Reasons

It comes down to one of the 12 principles from my book, All the Right Reasons: The Piano Principle.

When you really want something, make it happen.

That principle is more than a motivational line. It is a practical formula for success. In All the Right Reasons, 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, I share how my parents bought a piano before they bought a car because music mattered that much to them. They sacrificed comfort for purpose. Later, I applied that same mindset to music, business, and leadership, learning that dreams only become real when desire is matched with sacrifice, repetition, and work.

 

The Piano Principle in Action

World Cup athletes don’t arrive on the world stage by accident. They train when no one is cheering. They recover from losses. They study, sacrifice, practice, and keep going. That’s The Piano Principle in action. When something matters deeply enough, you don’t wait for perfect conditions. You do something about it.

The lesson applies directly to personal and professional life.

Most people like the idea of success. Far fewer people love the discipline required to earn it. That’s where the difference shows up. The players who reach the World Cup have learned how to stay committed when the work gets repetitive, painful or invisible.

Success often comes down to understanding your passion and having the willingness to turn it into something great. It’s easy to dream. The hard part is doing the work.

 

Five Ways You Can Benefit By Applying The Piano Principle

  1. Build stronger discipline. Stop waiting to feel motivated and start doing the work because the goal matters.
  2. Push through setbacks. Losses, criticism and mistakes become part of the process, not reasons to quit.
  3. Improve performance. Repetition sharpens skill. Practice under pressure builds confidence when stakes rise.
  4. Strengthen purpose. You make better choices when you know what matters most and what you’re willing to sacrifice for it.
  5. Create momentum. Small daily actions compound into progress, whether you’re building a career, improving health, leading a team or repairing a relationship.

 

What We Don’t See on Game Day

The World Cup reminds us that achievement rarely looks glamorous up close.

What we see on game day is the highlight. What we don’t see are the years of conditioning, missed comfort, early mornings, disappointment, and private determination. That’s where success gets built.

I invite you to apply The Piano Principle in your own life by choosing one meaningful goal, defining the next step, committing time to it daily, and staying with it long enough to see progress.

Whether you want to improve your health, grow your business, strengthen your family, lead better, or simply live with more purpose, the principle is the same. When you really want something, act on it and put it in motion. That’s how you build a happier, more productive life. Personally and professionally.

 

I shared a version of this article in a news release on July 1, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Prioritize Wellness Before You Walk Into Work

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June is Professional Wellness Month. As Chairman and CEO of USANA Health Sciences, I’ve seen healthier habits create stronger people, stronger teams, and stronger communities. I encourage professionals, leaders, and organizations to make wellness a priority both at work and at home.

Professional Wellness Month highlights the connection between personal well-being and workplace success.

Wellness Is a Leadership Responsibility

Research shows that healthy employees are more productive, more engaged, and better equipped to manage stress, collaborate effectively, and contribute to a positive work environment. Wellness is not a luxury. It is a leadership responsibility and a personal commitment.

Professional wellness starts long before you walk into the office. The way you sleep, move, eat, manage stress, and treat other people affects every part of your performance. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to lift the people around you.

I believe the world is experiencing a global health awakening, and meaningful improvements often come from simple daily actions rather than dramatic lifestyle changes.

Small Habits Create Meaningful Results

Here are four simple habits to focus on:

  1. Get consistent sleep and protect time for recovery
  2. Move your body every day through exercise or walking
  3. Build genuine relationships with coworkers, family, and friends
  4. Look for opportunities to encourage, recognize, and help others

These habits may sound simple, but small actions repeated consistently can create meaningful results.

Relationships Are Part of Wellness

One of the greatest wellness investments you can make is in your relationships. People perform better when they feel seen, valued, and connected.

This principle has shaped the way I try to lead and interact with others every day.

I share a story about this in my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony.

During a college class, students were given a final exam that included an unexpected question: What was the name of the woman who cleaned the building?

Most students didn’t know.

The lesson stayed with me for decades because it reinforced a simple truth: every person matters and deserves recognition.

Few things are more important to people than being recognized and treated with respect. Professional wellness isn’t just about physical health. It’s about creating environments where people know they matter.

Culture is Built Every Day

Organizations that prioritize employee well-being often experience higher engagement, stronger retention, improved morale, and better long-term performance. Leaders play a critical role in setting that tone.

Culture isn’t built by policies alone. It’s built through everyday actions. Leaders who invest in wellness create workplaces where people can do their best work and live healthier lives.

Start With One Change

Throughout June, I encourage you to evaluate your wellness habits and identify one positive change you can implement immediately.

You don’t have to transform your life overnight. Start with one healthy habit. Take a walk. Get more sleep. Reach out to someone who may need encouragement. Small actions repeated consistently create meaningful results. When you take care of yourself, you’re in a far better position to help others thrive.

 

I shared a version of this article in a news release on June 1, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com.