“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

You’ve heard the phrase, I’m sure. (Also known as TANSTAAFL – “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.”)

It dates back to the 19th century when a ‘free’ meal was offered with the purchase of a drink at the local saloon – where, of course, the cost of the meal was baked into the price of the drink.

In most contexts, it’s a cynical phrase. But today, I’d like to redeem it in the minds and hearts of purpose driven business leaders like you.

You’re the expert in your business—until something feels off. Then what?

Nobody knows my body better than I do.

I know every ache. Every pain. Every joint’s range of motion. Every former (and current) injury.

I know my limits – what I can and cannot do.

I know how much I weigh, how much I should weigh, and what it would take to get there.

I know when I’m stressed emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or physically. And I know what to do about it.

I know what to do when I’m hungry, or get a headache, or a backache, or a pulled muscle, or when I’m tired.

I know my body, and I can manage it well…

This isn’t about Todd, but I do have to start there…

We were going for the cake and a handshake, but I ended up leaving with a lump in my throat.

Todd and I have gotten to know each other over the years, but we would never have met without our wives going to high school together.

Yesterday was his retirement reception. A “come-and-go” type thing that, quite frankly, I hope I never forget.

One word kept coming back to my mind and heart.

“I’m foe-and-a-HALF!” proclaims the four-year-old aching for acknowledgement.

“I’m 39…” she says up until the day before (maybe even the hour before) she turns 40.

“I’ll be 77 in October,” says the grandparent grateful for every moment on this earth, knowing that to reach that next milestone would be a gift they very well may not receive.

All three are aging at the exact same rate according to the calendar.

But their language is distinctly different.

It’s all about ‘reframing.’

Don’t know about you, but I have a real "love-hate" relationship with reminders.

Believe me, I appreciate their value!

I am - like most, I'm told - an "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" kinda guy.

Reminders, therefore, can be a blessing, and sometimes a necessity, no matter their form.

Be they digital, analog, lists, prompts, alarms, or any myriad of "other" - I appreciate a nudge in the right direction as much as the next person.

But…

Every word. Every conversation. Every interaction.

Recorded. Transcribed. Uploaded. Searchable.

It’s available right now.

Are you even the least bit interested in a wearable AI pendant that records every word spoken within the reach of its microphone?

Our research department over at ChatGPT summarized it like this:

In a nutshell, Powter's message was part rebellion, part common sense: Stop punishing yourself, start treating your body with respect, and don’t buy into the lies of the diet industry.

In a very real sense, Susan differentiated herself from all the media hype of the day and got back to basics.

One could even say she was a “well-differentiated leader” in her industry…

Imagine you are a Country Companies Insurance Agent in a town of about 10,000 households.

There are a couple independent agents in town with you, but no other ‘big brand’ is within driving distance.

There’s a catch, though.

In this imaginary world, insurance is not mandated by mortgage or auto loan companies, and the populous is relatively ignorant of the value of, or need for, your products and services.

In fact, in 9 of 10 conversations you have (maybe even more) the person you are talking to that owns their home and drives two cars has never heard of this ‘insurance’ device you are talking about.

They’ve also never heard of ‘Country Companies’…

When I woke up Saturday morning, something didn’t feel quite right.

A couple steps in I felt something in my left calf. Nothing too alarming, though, due to the fact that I had a partial rupture a decade ago that raises its ugly head once in a while.

Then I could feel it starting to spread.

When I (attempted) to get up from reading, I could barely walk.

My left leg did not want to cooperate. It was weak from the hip down. Every step had to be deliberate…

It was an interesting take, to say the least. Powerful, even.

We were discussing levels of employee engagement, and our guest speaker was walking us through it slowly.

Four levels - each level raising the bar of achievement, leadership, responsibility, and value to the organization.

Made a lot of sense.

And then he said some sobering words.

"Don't moralize it."

Wait a minute. Back up the truck. What was that? Who is moralizing anything here?