Walt, Author at Walt Hampton, J.D.

Disconnect

by Walt | Aug 4, 2022 | Success | 1 Comment

Eleven hours a day.

That’s a long time.

At what cost?

“All of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone,” the philosopher Blaise Pascal said way back in the 1600s.

It is even truer today.

Disconnect to connect.

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Once you’ve disconnected, what will you do? Well, that’s the great thing. You’ll find yourself a whole lot more energized, inspired and creative. And what will you create? Let’s noodle on it together. Email me: walt@walthampton.com

And stop by for a visit at: https://summit-success.com/

Fake Ones

by Walt | Jul 28, 2022 | Success | 0 Comments

You don’t want to have fake ones.

They’ll leave you frustrated and depressed.

You definitely want a real one.

And least from time to time.

But that’s entirely up to you.

When we help people create businesses, we start with lifestyle design before business design. Because life is short. You don’t want to live to work. Rather you want work that allows you an amazing life. When you’re ready to create the work and the life you really love, we should talk. Email me: walt@walthampton.com

And when you’re done recording your away message, check out our website at: https://summit-success.com/

Grave Garage Door Danger

by Walt | Jul 21, 2022 | Success | 0 Comments

I hate to admit it.

I was a horrible student in 7th Grade Industrial Arts.

In fact, I nearly failed out.

Because you see, the final project was to take apart a lawn mower engine and put it all back together again. So that it ran.

Mine didn’t run. I ended up with extra parts. And try as I might, I could not figure out where they went.

Now, one would think I’d learned an important lesson.

But, no. Fast forward a couple of decades. I needed a new garage door. I went to Home Depot. Got the kit. Spread out all the parts on the driveway.

I spent hours and hours on the project. And, try as I might, the whole damn thing was a fiasco.

Yup, extra parts. And a garage door that wouldn’t work.

It would have been so much better to have hired someone to come in and do it all.

And therein lies the lesson.

The most dangerous cost in business – and in life – is opportunity cost.

When you say ‘yes’ to one project or endeavor, you’re saying ‘no’ to another.

And you only have so many yeses to give in the brief stint that is our life.

Those yeses ought to be reserved exclusively for what falls within your zone of genius; those yeses ought to be devoted only to those things that light you up and bring you joy.

Those yeses ought to be reserved for what brings you the highest return on the investment of your time.

My zone of genius – that place I lose myself in a timeless flow – that place that brings deep satisfaction – is working with the coaching clients I’m privileged to serve.

My happy place is in the mountains.

Oh sure, I could still be sorely tempted to tinker with the lawn mower or the garage door. But better to spend the few hundred bucks than to lose those hours doing what I do best, doing what I love.

Because here’s the pernicious part, the lie: opportunity cost is often disguised, camouflaged. It whispers to you: “you’re saving money.”

But really you’re losing time.

Time to do your very best work; time to spend with those you love; time to adventure and explore; time to reflect; time to just be.

Time you can never, ever get back.

Be careful when that garage door beckons.

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If you know of someone who might benefit from this piece, please share it!

Get Burned Out

by Walt | Jul 14, 2022 | Success | 0 Comments

Burnout gets a bad rap.

Stress and overwhelm too.

But here’s the thing: big goals require you to stretch way beyond your comfort zone.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,” Howard Thurman wrote. “But rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!'”

A bit of burnout is a good thing.

The Problem With Freedom

by Walt | Jul 7, 2022 | Success | 0 Comments

You’re likely a fan of freedom.

I am.

In fact, it’s one of my highest values.

Freedom to come and go; freedom to adventure and travel; freedom to work when and where and if we want.

Freedom to choose.

It’s damn good stuff.

But there’s a catch.

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being,” Eleanor Roosevelt once said. “With freedom comes responsibility.”

When you’re free, you’re responsible for a lot, like:

your health and wellness;
the care of your loved ones;
your surroundings;
those in need; and
this little blue dot that floats in space that is our only home.

You’re responsible, too, for freedom itself. Because this freedom you enjoy has come at a huge cost, measured in blood.

It is precious and fragile.

One of the things I so loved in law school was the freedom to explore ideas; the invitation to question; the opportunity to debate, and disagree.

Our arguments could be vociferous and long, because seeking for truth and finding common ground can be a messy business. (But pizza and beer usually followed because we knew that our ground could be common only if we honored our shared humanity.)

It continues to be our shared responsibility to seek this common ground, to protect this gift that is our freedom.

Tirelessly and ardently. With civility and care.

“For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry their own weight, this is a frightening prospect,” Roosevelt said.

But you want what I want what we all want which is freedom.

President Ronald Reagan, in his Farewell Address to the Nation, shared his vision of our nation as “the shining city upon a hill.”

“[I]n my mind it is a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”

“All great change begins at the dinner table,” Reagan said. “So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins.”

It’s been two hundred forty-six years since we declared our freedom.

The work continues.

Let freedom ring.