A Letter From My Brother (J.Sprinkles)

As it turns out, holidays aren't so "holy" anymore. However, my favorite holiday of all is Thanksgiving. Ironically, it isn't my favorite because I get to gorge myself in front of the television. I do that all the time. It isn't my favorite because I pause and give thanks for the many blessings in my life. I do that daily. I love Thanksgiving because it is the one holiday that is what it is. There isn't any false pretense about a guy in a suit, a buck-toothed bunny, or the guy on the Lucky Charms box. What you see is what you get. How rare is that anymore?

As I am still pounding away on book #2, I have learned an invaluable recurring lesson about success in life and business: be very clear about who you are, where you are going, and what you want out of the deal. The chapters in which I know exactly what points I want to drive home and what stories I will use to reinforce the message virtually write themselves. My vague moments have been treacherous, to the tune of taking over an hour to manufacture three paragraphs.

This truth has also been a recurring theme within my interpersonal and professional relationships as of late. Those in which we are both clear about the value we bring to each others lives run smoothly. In instances where there were unspoken expectations or a lack of communication, we had some hiccups.


This 5 Minute Motivator is dedicated to CLARITY. Everyone wants it; most of us don't have it. You can change this by asking yourself three simple questions about the people you interact with on a social and professional basis:

1. What benefits do you bring to my life?
2. How do you fit in my future?
3. Do you value me enough to deem me irreplaceable?

These are some very real questions! Ask these questions about those with whom you interact the most. The answers (or inability to answer) will give you clarity about who they are to you and how much time you should devote to that relationship.

Additionally, you need to turn the mirror on yourself and ask the same three questions about your value in their life. It's a two-way street, my friend.

I have a lot to say about this topic, and it's all going in this book. For now, here are a couple articles on this topic that have recently run in major media outlets. It will be very exciting to hear your thoughts on it.

Let's finish this year strong!