Principles

01 — Life Is Integrated

Here is the deal boys: life is integrated. We drop the ball in one area, we drop them in all. On the flip side, we get momentum in one area of life, it gives us fuel in the other areas. We need habits that are integrated. We choose a mental model of Life Capitals to categorize these life domains. 

02 — We Are Rulers  

We are meant to be Stewards. Good and wise. Benefiting ourselves and those around us. As such, we must steward our Life Capitals. The best way to steward is to define, measure, and create habits in each category.

03 — We Need Simplicity 

In a world of limitless knowledge at our fingertips in books, podcasts, and blogs -- We need clarity and simplicity. We need to define the most simple and clear habits to do each day which can build and compound our Life Capitals.

04 — We Need Like-Hearted Community 

We can’t do this alone. Once we have defined our most simple and clear habits for each Life Capital, we must pursue these habits in a like-hearted community. We do this best when we’re with like hearted (not just like-minded) who will build us up, challenge us, and seek our flourishing. 

05 — We Need To Be Committed 

Opting in to a Like-Hearted Community requires commitment. Before you enter into such a community, you have to “count the cost” both to your personal commitment and the impact you have on others. The community directly benefits (or is not benefited by) our individual level of interaction and involvement.

06 — We Need A Coach

This coach must be on the journey with us  -- Not better in any way and very much on the same journey . The key distinction of the coach - he is a guide and the individual pushing the group forward. Upholding the principals of high standards, humility, unrelenting grace, truth (always), and encouragement. 

07 — We Need High Standards

Once you have a like hearted community committed around ideas that life is integrated and that have responsibility as rulers/stewards, this type of group needs to be held to a high standard.  It is why elite organizations like SEALS, Fighter Pilot squads, national championship sports teams, or great companies thrive.  We thrive when there are high standards and high expectations. 

08 — We Seek And Tell The Truth, Always

In this like hearted community, we can’t BS.  Especially to ourselves. We m need to seek the truth and tell the truth. We have to be honest and catch ourselves if we are not telling the truth. The community depends on it -- and our own personal flourishing depends on it. 

09 — We Need Unrelenting Grace

With commitment to High Standards and truth telling the community needs to give each other unrelenting grace. This needs to be modeled and exhibited by the imperfect coach. All of us are fallen and imperfect creatures. We will fall short of our high standards, our plan, our truth telling, and our commitment. As long as there is conviction and desire to true personal and group flourishing, then unrelenting grace should be foundational in the group.

10 —  We Need Encouragement

With high standards, truth, and grace as the building blocks, the community is then fueled by encouragement. This is the magic and primary role of the imperfect coach who is in the trenches with the group.  The heart of every man needs to be encouraged. This is the aim of the coach and the community. Progress Over Perfection. 

11 —  Compound Interest For All Capitals 

Small, consistent habits seem to make little difference on any given day and yet the impact they deliver over months and years are enormous.“The 1-foot bars”,  consistently executed, create enormous returns in each Life Domain.

12 —  We Need To Laugh 

The community thrives with laughter, humor. Good spirited trash talking. Wittiness and finding joy in friendship and doing hard things together. Hearty laughter should be part of every day.