Are you tired of all the stress life is throwing at you?

Some days it feels like an elephant has taken a home right on your back.

Other days, maybe two elephants.

It happens to all of us, some more extreme than others.

I’ve been running and growing Skylink Group for over 10 years now, and I can say, it’s been quite the ride.

From being diagnosed with cancer at a SUPER young age and losing a loved one on the same day, to losing millions of dollars, navigating the very complicated human aspect of business, it’s not easy.

Some days it feels like the light has gone.

Yet, from that deep depths of stress to the light…

I’ve also grown my company with the help of some extraordinary women, to marrying the love of my life (she’s the only one who can put up with me), to instilling a vision, mission and values that has expanded our growth, to the biggest win, the birth of my son (now 2 years old).

The point is, with every light, there’s darkness, and with darkness, there’s light. You’re not alone.

I’ve learned life doesn’t have to be so complicated and stressful.

Here are a few of my top tips to live a less stressful life, despite all the chaos that surrounds you.

Be passionate about your purpose. Do you even have one?

What’s your purpose in life?

I had a merger and acquisition firm approach me a few months ago. The gentleman asked if I was looking to sell my company.

I replied snarly with a nice multiple of profit.

We both agreed that me being the acquirer is more realistic.

In this instance, I was living by my purpose.

I’m looking to create a company that gives people an amazing, safe place to work.

Not to sell it.

I’m just getting started!

I have two guiding purposes that guide my life:

1. Personal: A CEOs journey to escaping a ROTTEN life. To live by my Return On Time (ROT) system, to teach it to others and to be great in business and in life.

2. Skylink Group: We’re our clients and team members wings when they need them the most.

This is the fuel to my fire.

What’s yours?

Your values should guide your life. They’re non-negotiable. You must have them!

One of the best things you can do in your life is to create your life’s guiding principles. Your rules for living. Your values.

Without these, you’re running blind. You’re chasing the Golden Goose. You’ll be swayed, tricked and corrupted.

I didn’t let a little shiny dollar sign sway me into wanting to sell.

I apply this everywhere in my life.

I create rules that govern how I act and behave.

Here are just a few…

• Health is #1.1. Without me, I’m nothing.

• Family is #1.2. I’m a father, a husband, and a son. I need to be kickass at all three.

• A goal without a plan is a dream.

• Shit in equals shit out.

• Quality over quantity.

• Don’t chase the Golden Goose.

• Early is on time, on time is late and late is bad business. (Thanks for this one Shawn)

• Am I ROTTING away today?

• Be first. Be different. Be me.

I have a list of 20 others that are non-negotiable.

This is how I filter life’s problems. It’s opportunities. So should you.

If you don’t have values, be one of the first to leave a comment below on what your first life value should be.

I’ll hold you accountable.

Strive to reach your goals and know where your best time is spent.

Most people run around their goals in a giant circle. More like a figure eight!

If you don’t have a plan on how you’ll achieve them, you’ll drive yourself nuts.

To achieve your goals, read: 3 Simple Ways To Turn Your Goals Into Action: A Recipe To Stop Dreaming And Start Doing Today.

A goal without a plan is just a dream.

So quit dreaming and start doing.

It’s also important you don’t just do anything.

Where you spend your time is as important.

So next, read: Are You Worth $10/hr? A Simple Formula To Determine If You’re Focusing On The RIGHT Things

These two articles will help you on your pursuit to goal success.

Have you ever went into a game, without a coach? Don’t go at it alone.

You can’t expect to perform well in sports without a good coach. The same goes for your career and your life.

I was against hiring a business adviser. Why?

They’re holy batshit expensive.

But to practice the philosophy I educate my clients on, price is not mutually exclusive from cost.

If a coach has a high price but returns incredible value, his total cost is low.

But, you don’t need to hire a coach just yet.

Your coach could be in your company, your life, or someone else you trust in your ecosystem.

Life is always changing, which is why you need balance.

I used to work all day long. 4am to the time I went to bed. I got my MBA while running my now eight-figure international firm.

It got me where I am.

Kudos to me.

It won’t get me to where I want to go.

It won’t for you either.

There are many cycles in your day. A couple of them must include balance.

Balance can take many forms.

For me, there are three distinct ways:

With my family.

Everything starts and ends here.

My time with my family is incredibly precious. This is the only life we have, for all we factually know.

I want to take advantage of every second.

Nothing significant is on my phone.

It’s in the heart and spirit of my family.

With physical activity.

I’m a naturally aggressive person.

This has a lot to do with my Vietnam veteran dad who served in the Marines on the “front lines.”

As Gary Vaynerchuk would say, I won the human lotto on this one.

To remove the tension from my body, physical activity is mandatory. The blood must flow. The punching bag must get hit.

You’re no different.

You need physical activity too. You can thank you ancestors.

With nature.

Smelling the fresh air. Seeing the green trees. Hearing the birds sing. Feeling the touch of the sun on my skin.

Something amazing happens inside of me every time I’m in nature. I get lost with emotion.

It centers me.

It’s my balance.

Watching the green trees kiss the blue sky.

Nature calms me.

Find what your balance is and incorporate it in your every day life. Don’t neglect it.

There you have it. A few top tips to get your life moving in the right direction. Remember, you’re the common denominator of your own life.

Now go kick ass.

Your wings,