👋 Hi! I'm Dan. I help entrepreneurs and creatives find the clarity and motivation to get their work out into the world. If that sounds good, let's go! 🚀

Hi Reader,

Happy week after Thanksgiving in the US. I feel like everyone has a bit of holiday hangover.

We have a lot of great content this week. Here's the rundown so you don't miss anything:​
💭 Lessons learned: Life In Two Acts
⏱️ Some very cool watches from our sponsor
💻 A webinar invitation (learn how to prompt AI better)
📝 Great Content you may have missed
🖤 Some favorites (holiday edition)

Let's get into it!

Lessons Learned

Life comes in two acts.​
​
But we only talk about the first.
​
The first is simple:
- Success
- Wealth
- Respect
​
"Hustle hard and get what's yours"
But then something happens.
​
Sometimes it's big:
- Divorce,
- A car crash,
- Hospitalization
- Loss of someone or something you love.
​
Other times it's small:
- You wake up and notice changes.
- The work doesn't excite you anymore.
- The social media hamster wheel is dull.
- The house and stuff feel empty.
​
Most panic.
​
And double down.
- More stuff!
- More house!
- More promotions!
​
Some hear a whisper.
A still, small voice.
​
It's saying: "there's something deeper"
​
​This is part 2. The second act.​
​
Here we ask different questions:
Who am I?
What am I here to give?
What's the path I'm terrified to walk?
​
Jung called it "becoming your true self"
Jesus said you have to "lose your life to find it"
​
This is the inner journey.
​
Here's what nobody tells you:
That emptiness you feel? It's not failure.
It's an invitation.
​
The depression? The fading ambition?
It's supposed to be there.
It's telling you something.
​
If you're feeling a pull toward something deeper,
If you're ready for a different kind of adventure.
​
Listen.
​
It's not a crisis.
It's calling.

This Week's Sponsor:

Sponsored by: Vaer Watches​ Vaer C5 Dirty Dozen Quite possibly the most famous military field watch of all time, the WW2 "Dirty Dozen" is an iconic collection from twelve historic Swiss brands. Compact, legible, and waterproof, it was worn by soldiers in key moments of the European campaign. Our C5 Dirty Dozen is a true homage, merging classic design with modern tech to create a fitting "13th model." Priced at $299, it combines style and durability with an accurate USA-built FTS Ameriquartz movement, 10ATM water resistance, and rugged capability to withstand even the toughest environments. ​ ​Note from Dan: I love Vaer’s aesthetic. They feel like something my grandfather would have worn — and as a WWII vet, maybe he did. Check out the C5, mentioned above. Also, the R1 Racing series is killer. Don’t miss it. BUY NOW

​

Get MORE and BETTER Results with more CONSITENCY with AI

Most people think getting good results from AI is about having the latest tools.

It's not.

It's about having the right framework.

This Thursday at 12pm Eastern, I'm hosting a live training to share the exact system I've used to help hundreds of entrepreneurs turn AI from frustrating to reliable.

No fluff. No theory. Just practical systems that work.

You'll learn:​
• My POWER Framework (to get consistent results from AI tools)
• The Context Multiplier (scale your best work automatically)
• Real client examples (see how to save hours on proposals, emails, and content)

Plus: Live demos, problem-solving for YOUR business, and ready-to-use templates.

The truth is: you don't need to be technical to get extraordinary results with AI.​
You just need the right system.

Ready to make AI work for you?
​Join me Thursday @ noon eastern.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlf-qgrTopE9Oxd0FsTnYGHhqon8ZbNQXg​

In Case You Missed It:

A few recent posts and articles across platforms

From LinkedIn:

📰 Four Thanksgivings can change everything.​

📰 FAIL BRILLIANTLY.​

📰 19 years ago today. Barely a penny to our names.​
​

From the Newsletter:

✉️ This one's for the bread winners...​

✉️ The Recipe for a Life Without Regret​

Favorites! Holiday edition

I love sharing what I'm into. And I love hearing what you're into as well!

(If you've made it this far, hit reply and tell me some of yours!)

We kicked off the Christmas season in our household, so here are a few holiday favorites that you shouldn't miss:

🎅 Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas

I don't know how I slept on this one for so long but it's brilliant.

It's the Elf story but told in a classic Rudolph style claymation aesthetic and with fantastic music. The soundtrack is so fun.

My kids love it. I love it. Everybody sings along. It's great. Watch it here.

​

🐀 Muppet Christmas Carol

I grew up watching The Muppet Christmas Carol but went a couple decades without it. In the last few years it's become a holiday staple in our house.

It's fun, funny, and surprisingly meaningful. The music is genuinely fantastic - my kids love the soundtrack and we play it on repeat.

If you're like me and haven't watched it in a long time, I highly recommend giving it another look. Watch it here.

If you want a dose of The Meaning Movement dialgue about the Christmas Carol, revisit this episode of the podcast from the archives:
​A Christmas Carol, TMM Edition​

Your turn

Anything great you've been enjoying? Hit reply and send it along! I'd love to know. Seriously.

9,500+ people are getting this email, and I can count on one hand how many responses I usually get. You have the chance to change that! Hit reply. Tell me what's good!

Yours in meaning making,