Character is doing the right thing when nobody is looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught. — J.C. Watts
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Every coaching session I lead starts with the same three simple questions. They’re not brilliant, but they’re essential for grounding us in reality:
- What’s been your biggest win?
- What’s been your biggest challenge?
- Is there a hot topic you want to discuss?
It sounds easy—until you actually try it. I’ve noticed that even high-performing leaders often struggle to name their wins. They’ve been so busy surviving or “living the dream” that they haven’t stopped long enough to look at the scoreboard.
I can usually tell what kind of two weeks a client has had by how quickly they send in their prep form. If it lands in my inbox minutes before our call, I know they were grinding right up to the deadline. (It’s a lot like how I can tell what kind of morning church-goers had based on where they park. If they’re pulling into the furthest lane a few minutes late, I’m guessing there was a “challenge” getting the kids out of bed!)
The “Win” Gap
Why is it so hard for many of us to identify a win? Usually, because we’ve placed the target too far out. We define success in big, distant outcomes: losing 10 pounds, doubling revenue, closing that massive deal. Those things take time.
Uncommon Leaders do something different. They look for wins in the daily habits.
If you hit 10,000 steps once a week for the last three months, you probably won’t be perfect for the next two weeks. And if you somehow are, is that pace even sustainable? Instead of chasing perfection, let’s focus on building momentum.
Here are five practical themes to help you close the Win Gap:
- Double the Good. Got 2,000 steps last week? Aim for 4,000 this week. Made three sales calls a day? Go for six. Incremental growth is sustainable growth.
- Half the Bad Overate five days last week? Cut it down to three. Spending four hours a day on your phone? Bring it down to two. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be better than yesterday.
- Never Take a Zero. Haven’t written those five thank-you notes by the end of the day? Don’t take a zero—write one. Only managed 1,000 steps instead of 10,000? Don’t write the day off. Take a quick walk around the block. Resist the urge to do nothing just because you can’t do everything.
- Don’t Miss Two Days in a Row. Life happens and you’ll miss a day. That’s okay. But fight hard not to miss two days consecutively. After 48 hours, it becomes much easier for a miss to turn into a new bad habit.
- Change the Horizon. In his book Master of Uncertainty, Rich Diviney talks about “changing the horizon” to reduce overwhelm. When a challenge feels too big, chunk it into a smaller, immediate goal you can actually control and complete.
- Quote of the Week
“Legacy isn’t built on what’s seen, but on what’s repeated—habits of accountability, day after day.”
Leadership is about calling out greatness in others. If you’re not asking your team about their wins, you’re missing a powerful opportunity to “Call Higher.”
Try using those same three coaching questions in your next 1-on-1. Help your people “Change the Horizon” when they feel overwhelmed, and encourage them to “Never Take a Zero” on their personal development goals.
If you’re using the Disciplines section of your Personal Development Plan, remember: specific, measurable habits are the only way to move from just “surviving” to actually growing.
What you need to do:
I want to hear what you’re working on. Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the subject line “WIN” and tell me:
- What is your “Double the Good” goal for next week?
- Where do you need to “Change the Horizon” to stop feeling overwhelmed?
By reaching out with “WIN,” you’re taking ownership of the daily disciplines that build long-term legacy. Let’s stop the zeros and start building real momentum.
It’s an honor to be your trusted Friday Coffee Guy. Each week, I bring what I’m learning and living in the trenches of leadership. If this edition challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who leads, stays faithful, or learns alongside you, then click subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next week—stay focused, stay disciplined, and keep skating toward the goal, Champions!
