On my recent trip to Greece, I had the opportunity to reflect on life in a setting that has seen millennia of transformation. Standing among ancient ruins, I was reminded of how change has shaped the world. It was fitting, then, that while there, I heard John Maxwell speak about a different kind of change—the internal shift that happens when we embrace new ways of thinking. His teaching, “Thinking for a Change,” spoke directly to something that I’ve always believed: the power of shared success.
John’s words about compounding time struck me deeply. He taught that we compound time not by doing everything ourselves but by involving others. This resonated with me because my greatest joy isn’t what I have accomplished personally—it’s what the people around me have accomplished. I’ve seen this truth come to life in every area of my life, whether in my previous work with National Automotive Experts/NWAN, my current roles at Changing Lives Foundation and Reset Medical and Wellness, or even in my relationships with friends and family. Everything that’s possible comes down to the people we choose to surround ourselves with.
As John said, “None of us are as smart as all of us.” It’s through shared thinking that the best ideas emerge. I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful it can be when a team comes together with a common goal. At NAE/NWAN, our biggest successes weren’t the result of any one person’s vision but rather the collective effort and creativity of the entire team. This principle continues to guide me at Changing Lives Foundation and Reset Medical, where the goal is to create environments where everyone can contribute their unique strengths toward something larger than themselves.
But John’s lesson went even further. He challenged us to examine the people in our lives. If someone isn’t adding value to you, he said simply, “You fire them.” It may sound harsh, but I understood his point: we must be intentional about who we allow into our inner circles. The people we surround ourselves with can either lift us up or hold us back, and we need to have the courage to make those tough decisions when necessary.
Another quote that’s stuck with me is from John Burrows, who said,
“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”
When I look into my own future, I see deep water—I’m in over my head at times, and I know I can’t do it alone. I need God, and I need great people around me. It’s easy to feel like we’re ‘successful’ when we’re young, but true influence comes from years of sustained success, and that can only happen with the right people by your side.
My coach and mentor, Chad Willardson, often reminds me, “If it isn’t exciting and scary and makes you get out of bed in the morning, it isn’t big enough, or it isn’t the right thing for you.” That’s something I’ve carried with me in every endeavor, whether it’s launching a new initiative or tackling a personal goal. John echoed this same sentiment in his teaching: “If you aren’t scared, it isn’t big enough.” Taking on challenges that stretch us beyond our comfort zones is how we grow, and that’s only possible when we have people in our lives who push us, encourage us, and support us in the pursuit of something bigger than ourselves.
And finally, John reminded me of an important truth: God will bring winners around us. Sometimes, you don’t know if someone is a ‘player’ or a ‘pretender’ until you ask them for a commitment. People buy into the leader before they see the vision come to life. I’ve experienced this time and again—people who believed in the vision before it was fully formed, and because they bought into the mission, we were able to achieve incredible things together.
As I look back on this teaching from John Maxwell, I’m reminded of the importance of intentionality in our relationships and our work. We’re not meant to go through life alone, and success isn’t something to be pursued in isolation. It’s about building a team, bringing the right people along for the journey, and trusting that together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could on our own.
So, as I move forward in both life and work, I carry with me this lesson from Greece: True success is shared success. Surround yourself with winners, take on challenges that scare you, and know that with God and the right people around you, nothing is impossible.
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