Do you need to preheat the oven?

Is it really necessary?

Actually, the first few minutes are critical. That’s when the food’s structure is set. Starting in a cold stove changes the process and can alter textures and flavors.

Plus, preheating ensures a safe internal cooking temperature.

But enough kitchen talk. What does this have to do with a blog?

Ah, the life lessons.

Preparation is often invisible, but the results are not. People admire the perfectly baked product — the successful career or solid relationship — but seldom see the time spent preheating and preparing.

The Success Rule: focus on the necessary but unseen work.

Don’t judge a process by its most boring step. The waiting period is frequently where the essential magic of readiness happens.

Skip the prep and you compromise the final shape. Structure forms early in most things, from habits to projects.

Shortcuts usually cost you way more in the end.

No preheat, no party.

I was waiting for something extraordinary to happen but as the years wasted on, nothing ever did unless I caused it.
-Charles Bukowski

Destiny prefers motion. Waiting for the heavens to part is like hoping your dog will pay rent.

Action is the only thing that counts.

Enough with the years of planning. Make the call. Buy the ticket. Send the email.

Strike the match.

Intention is only Monopoly money. The grand adventure kicks off when you toss the map out the window and punch the gas.

Inaction carries a steep price tag: a life of “what ifs.”

And those two words will haunt you more than any failure ever could.

Never quit.

Right! Right?

That’s actually terrible advice. Sometimes you need to walk away. But wisdom is required to know when.

There’s a difference between a setback and a dead end.

I began college as a pre-med major, but discovered after several semesters it wasn’t a fit. So I switched, which led to two transfers and an extra year of school.

But looking back, I made the right choice.

It’s okay to outgrow goals or realize you were wrong about what you wanted. That’s called growth, not weakness.

Not everything worth starting is worth finishing. Bravery sometimes packs a suitcase.

Do a regular life audit and make sure you’re not watering a plastic houseplant. Maybe you should stop what’s killing you to fully commit to what’s calling you.

Persistence is only a virtue once you’re on the right path.

One of life’s simple pleasures.

Growing up and living in the Mid-Atlantic/South has a big winter advantage: when the snow flurries come, the school doors close.

The southern equation goes something like this: 2 inches of white stuff = 24 hours of freedom.

Core childhood memories involve sitting around the TV at night, watching for school closings. Oh, the agonizing suspense of the alphabetical scroll at the bottom of the screen.

And then, the moment we saw the cancellation… INSTANT PARTY.

A gift from the heavens.

If snow visited overnight, we'd get up early in the morning and peek out the windows to a winter wonderland. “It’s sticking!” we’d yell, jumping from the bed to grab our coats and gloves.

But often, just the forecast would keep us home. And sometimes, the storm never came. Yes, the glorious phantom snow day where the meteorologists got it wrong and gave us a guilt-free Tuesday of doing absolutely nada.

Does it get any better?

Today, Williamsburg got about 3-4 inches. Offices and schools shut down. The city went quiet. Even as an adult, the dopamine jolt coming from the ‘Office Closed’ email makes me feel like a kid again.

And it’s so pretty sitting here in the living room, gazing at the Christmas tree and the snow. A living holiday card.

The rare joy of an unscheduled slow day. The sweet surprise of an empty meeting calendar and reduced to-dos.

It’s nice to have forced timeouts.

Never let the simple pleasures expire with age.

7 years and counting.

The 7th annual Genie Jar Marketing Christmas party. What a night here in Colonial Williamsburg, with all the classic holiday sparkle.

To kick off the festivities, Jess and I (alongside old friends Tom and Wendy) strolled through the Williamsburg Christmas Market. Think Hallmark movie vibes, with vendors offering roasted nuts and handmade ornaments.

Then we snatched a curbside spot to watch the parade. Marching bands, horses in bells, kids waving from floats. The whole heartwarming show.

Afterward, we walked to the Williamsburg Inn for some fun snacks under fancy chandeliers. Then we made our way to King’s Arms Tavern for a candlelight dinner, where the walls whisper stories from the 1700s.

The best nights come from planning experiences, not just events. Something magical happens when you take time to slow down.

Looking forward to year 8.

Want more friends than you can count?

Become a better listener.

I’m still amazed when I find someone who asks follow-up questions and actually cares about the answers. Those humans feel like unicorns.

I recently found this quote from James Clear: “Listening thoughtfully is an act of generosity.”

Giving full attention in a world addicted to notifications is a true superpower. Listening tells another person they matter. It’s love, offered through open ears.

Start with a simple belief: everyone carries info you haven’t learned yet, even the five-year-old explaining toy dinosaurs.

So, dig deeper. Since great questions beat great advice 9 times out of 10, each day turns into a grand treasure hunt.

Curiosity fuels the whole thing. World-class listening starts with wanting to discover more. Understanding a person’s story is the beginning of empathy.

One of my favorite scenes in the Ted Lasso series is when the mustache-wearing coach shuts down a smug billionaire with four words: “Be curious, not judgmental.”

That mindset changes everything.

Curiosity costs nothing yet makes you richer with every single conversation. It’s the cheapest way to grow wiser. All you need are ears and the willingness to use them.

If you want to be unforgettable, become the person who listens deeply. When you walk through life like this, something magical happens. People light up around you.

They remember you forever, not because you dazzled them… but because you let them dazzle you.

The world is dying to feel heard.

Be the unicorn.

Admin night with friends. Hmm…

I recently read about turning life’s blah tasks into a party. In other words, invite the gang over.

Gather your favorite people for a shared session of knocking out to-do lists. Why suffer alone? After all, paperwork loses its sting with snacks and fun.

Plus, friends provide practical help (sharing tips and tricks), making the process less stressful and more social.

Apply this principle to all the things you dread.

Ritualize the mundane. Throw confetti at the boring stuff. Build creativity around hard chores, which makes them something to anticipate.

It’s possible to engineer your own motivation. Remember this: imagination beats procrastination every time.

Play is a powerful mindset you can use anywhere:

Housework becomes a dance-off.
Budget meetings over brunch.
Calling customer support while on a treadmill.
Closet cleaning turns into an 80s listening party.

Practice the simple power of reframing.

When chips and salsa are included, even better.

Wisdom in strange places.

Driving I-64 to Richmond, we saw this on a truck window decal:

Don’t let the hard days win.

Struggle is a part of every great story, but not the ending. Look at today’s challenge as a chapter, not a conclusion.

Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, begin again.

That’s how you win.

Hey, you’ve survived all the bad days so far. Remember the words of Maya Angelou: “Every storm runs out of rain.”

Your forecast: sunny skies are on the way.

Picture your life as a play.

There are some people who are essential in Act 1, but they walk across your stage only once. Soon they vanish, never to be seen again.

Others might show up in Act 2 or 3. A handful may be constant in all three.

I read a quote from Jenna O’Keefe that stuck with me: “In 5 years, most of the people you see every day will be strangers again.”

I’ve found that to be mostly true. The inner circle of your 20s reshapes wildly by your 40s.

The cast list changes more than you expect. Some roles feel large until the lights fade on them. A surprise character sometimes alters your whole story. Or a walk-on role may swagger in and leave a memory that never leaves you.

These can be college roommates, co-workers, neighbors, churchgoers. Time edits your cast when you aren’t looking.

But brief appearances don’t diminish the importance of certain people in your life. They each serve a purpose and teach you something.

And oddly, sometimes you can love someone deeply and still become strangers.

But not every parting is a tragedy. Learn to accept this. The curtain rises and falls on different faces each season.

You’re the lead actor, but you can’t control all the entrances and exits. That’s okay. This lack of control isn’t a flaw; it’s the plot.

You probably have a good idea of who will be around for the finale. Pour into those relationships like time is running out.

PS: Also, be kind to others. You never know whose Act 3 you’re in.

PG strikes back.

The first theater movie I saw was a little 1977 PG one called Star Wars.

But over the years, movies trended toward adult audiences. For decades, PG-13 reigned as king, but last year PG won the box office.

With the recent success of Zootopia 2 and Wicked, kid-friendly films are now Hollywood’s most bankable hits.

Why? Those 12 and under drag their families to the big screen.

The rise of PG whispers a deeper truth: people look for reasons to sit shoulder-to-shoulder, to laugh and gasp at the same surprises.

And for the younger generation, a movie becomes more than just entertainment. It’s a cultural moment they don’t want to miss.

In your sphere of influence, create settings for togetherness. Build little theaters in your own life.

Sunday dinners where phones stay in another room. Living rooms with enough pillows for ten. Cozy coffee corners at work. Game nights and campfires. Concert lawn blankets and beach walks.

Anything that pulls people into the same space wins.

The best stories aren’t the ones we experience alone, but ones enjoyed side by side with those we love.

Connection is the real glue.

From good to great.

I recently read about a new cruise ship undergoing a test voyage. Employees filed on board with eyes open, scrutinizing everything from the food to decor.

They studied the paint colors and tested the pillow fluffs. They even rated the cha-cha instructor. Nothing escaped their notebooks.

Their responses helped tighten the ship, so that early passengers would never notice the hundreds of tweaks behind the sparkles.

And there lies the secret: most amazing results come from sweating the details.

Amateurs mistake the first draft for the final product. But professionals view the initial creation as raw material.

The gap isn’t talent, but the willingness to keep working after many call it done.

Embrace the tedious middle. This separates you from others, because most people skip the refinement.

The magic rarely lives in the big idea, but it often hides in the tenth revision.

Going from good to great requires massive discipline compared to going from nothing to good.

The true work is in the refining.

What you can’t stop doing, even when it’s hard, is your purpose.

One of mine is writing. It’s not easy, but I’m mysteriously driven even when the words come slowly. There’s a strange magnetic pull.

That’s how I wrote two published books (with a third in progress), several short stories, and a daily blog post for the past year. I never planned any of that. But I kept showing up, on tired mornings and long evenings when my brain wanted a nap.

What you tolerate pain for is what you truly value.

When everyone else quits, what pulls you forward reveals your real lane. Maybe you can resist for a while, but eventually you drift back.

So notice the task that empties your battery and fills your spirit at the same time.

If you can walk away from it forever and feel relief instead of emptiness, it was never your calling.

The great test: what activity makes you lose track of time? That’s a big clue.

Your real purpose feels less like a choice and more like gravity. The work chooses you as much as you choose the work.

Follow the tug.

Today we became a statistic.

According to experts, fifteen to twenty percent of households join this club each year. And now our names landed on the list.

Our Christmas tree fell down.

I heard Jess scream and then came the noise. She watched the whole thing from a nearby couch.

Thankfully, little damage, but it took an hour to restring the lights and hang ornaments again.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a 7-foot pine crashing onto the floor.

What does supersonic flight have to do with football?

It could make the NFL’s dreams come true.

High-speed travel is a game changer for the league’s global expansion, allowing for new teams across the Atlantic.

Travel times would be cut in half.

Imagine a London-based team playing at home one week and then at a West Coast contest the next. All with no jet lag.

This would unlock billions in new international broadcast rights and merchandise. Plus, tons of fresh sponsorship deals.

Efficiency creates capacity.

Reducing drains on your energy is just as important as increasing your speed.

Thanksgiving Day in Norfolk.

Today we went to Mia and Papa’s house. And it just doesn’t get any better than gathering with fifteen loved ones and remembering the blessings.

The turkey came out tasty. The green bean casserole was divine. Football streamed on TV.

But family is always the greatest treasure.

These are the days we’ll talk about when we’re old.

Don’t wait until you’re ready.

You’ll never feel 100% prepared for something that truly matters. Waiting for readiness is only fear wearing a disguise.

Sometimes your brain will whisper sweet nonsense, telling you it’s not possible. How you need one more course, or certification, or someone’s validation.

But when you leap, the net always seems to somehow appear.

Maybe you’re ready and just don’t know it yet.

The sauce is a secret.

Raising Cane’s is a popular chicken chain with a signature sauce that keeps fans coming back.

To protect its moneymaker, they use strict security measures. The ingredients are shipped in unmarked bags and made in-store, with only managers allowed to mix it after signing NDA agreements.

Seems more like James Bond than fast food.

The recipe lives on a handwritten list created nearly thirty years ago by a co-founder. Being the only physical copy in existence, it sits locked inside a safe at a classified location. Just a handful of executives have ever seen it.

Kind of like the Coca-Cola formula, only greasier.

Keeping stuff simple is a strength. You don’t need a hundred ingredients to be unforgettable. Often, the right few will get you there.

Lean into your unique, impossible-to-copy abilities that feel like magic to everyone else: your personality, your talents, your integrity.

Find your secret sauce and lock it down.

A Thanksgiving week tradition.

Tonight our family piled into a local spot and played Music Bingo. A simple concept: listen to song snippets and mark your card.

There’s something about tunes and competition that creates a good time. Plus, it’s fun having teammates who show their expertise in different genres. Hello, power ballads and hip hop.

We formed a well-rounded team, filling in the gaps for the others. The perfect mix of rivalry and nostalgia.

Recently, I learned that even people with memory loss or dementia can play. The brain stores music in implicit memory, much like riding a bike, and the game becomes a therapeutic tool.

But there’s another important takeaway: everyone contributes value.

Even if it’s just knowing all the Backstreet Boys songs.

Tonight, we selected our 2025 Christmas tree.

Growing up, we used an artificial one lined with tinsel and colored bulbs. Vintage 1970s. A beautiful, psychedelic sight.

But then I met Jessica.

Since then, we’ve only had live trees with white lights. And I have to admit, she’s converted me, mostly. Kinda like trading in heavy metal for an acoustic guitar.

This evening, we picked out our favorite pine. After roping it to the car roof, we hauled home seven feet of holiday magic.

And now it stands proudly in our living room. Next step… lights and ornaments.

Maybe I’ll place a disco-ball star on top.

It happened tonight for the first time in months.

Everyone, all together, in our living room. Now that the kids live in different cities, our gatherings require plane tickets and coordination.

And these moments become sacred to me.

The bittersweet truth of parenting: our greatest success is their independence, which often creates geographical distance. But when they walk through that door, the years collapse and the miles fade and we're whole again.

For now, the house is full. The way it used to be every night. And I revel in the small things… where they sit, how their voices overlap, the laughter.

This is what Thanksgiving means now, not the meal, but everyone coming home.

Our walls will be quiet again soon, but tonight it's exactly as it should be.

And I am thankful.