Les Brown’s quote, “If you can look up, you can get up,” is a timeless reminder that no matter how tough life gets, as long as you still have hope and vision, you can rise from the depths of despair. His message is simple yet profound: setbacks are not the end of the story unless you allow them to be. By keeping your focus upward—on possibilities, faith, and perseverance—you position yourself to rise again, stronger and wiser.

Les Brown embodies this philosophy through his own incredible journey. Born into poverty and labeled “educable mentally retarded” in school, he could have easily succumbed to those limiting beliefs. Instead, he challenged them. One pivotal moment in his life came when he was struggling to break into the world of radio broadcasting. After being turned down multiple times for a job, he didn’t give up. He kept showing up at the radio station, doing odd jobs, and staying visible.

His big break came unexpectedly when the station’s DJ called in sick, and Les was asked to fill in. He seized the opportunity with enthusiasm, proving his talent and launching his career in broadcasting. This moment wasn’t just luck—it was a culmination of persistence and readiness, exemplifying the “look up, get up” mindset.

Les teaches us that life’s challenges are not permanent roadblocks but opportunities to prove our resilience. By maintaining hope and taking consistent action, we can all get back up, no matter how far we’ve fallen.

As Proverbs 24:16 (CSB) says,

“Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.”

Let’s take a page from Les Brown’s playbook and keep looking up—because that’s how we find the strength to get up.

Is there anything quite as exhilarating as planning a trip? From choosing the destination to mapping out the itinerary, every step brings a sense of purpose and anticipation. You can almost feel the sand between your toes or hear the rustle of leaves on a mountain trail—long before you even pack your bags.

That’s the power of anticipation. It keeps us focused and motivated, infusing each day with excitement. But here’s the thing: we can harness that same energy when pursuing our goals. By treating them like a grand adventure, complete with milestones as checkpoints, we can navigate life’s inevitable detours with grace.

Think about it. When planning a trip, you don’t throw out the entire plan just because your favorite airline cancels a flight. You find another route or rework your schedule. Similarly, setbacks in life shouldn’t derail your journey toward a goal. They’re just opportunities to recalibrate and keep moving forward.

Here’s how you can bring that trip-planning excitement into your goal-setting:

1. Choose a Destination (Your Goal): Be clear about where you want to go. The more vivid the goal, the more inspired you’ll feel.
2. Map the Route (Create Milestones): Break your goal into smaller, achievable steps. Each milestone is like a landmark on your journey—a reason to celebrate progress.
3. Pack Strategically (Prepare for Challenges): Just like you pack essentials for a trip, equip yourself with the tools and resources you need to succeed. And don’t forget a flexible mindset—it’s your carry-on for life’s turbulence.
4. Savor the Journey (Stay Engaged): Don’t rush to the destination. Relish every step, even the unexpected layovers, because they’re part of what makes the adventure memorable.

Anticipation is a powerful force. It turns ordinary preparation into an extraordinary experience, giving us a taste of what’s to come. When we approach our goals with the same enthusiasm we bring to trip planning, we’re unstoppable—even when life throws in a few flight delays.

So, where are you headed next? Set your sights high, plan with passion, and let the excitement of the journey fuel your way forward.

“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 (CSB)

We’ve all heard it: “Actions speak louder than words.” And it’s true—what you do always carries more weight than what you say. Words can inspire, but actions confirm the truth behind them.

Consider this: How do your actions reinforce what you say about your values, your work ethic, or your standards? If people are misinterpreting your message, it’s often because your actions aren’t backing it up.

Take Martin Luther King Jr., for example. His words—like the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech—stirred hearts and cast a vision for a better future. But it was his actions—marching in Selma, enduring imprisonment, and leading peaceful protests—that gave those words undeniable weight. Without his unwavering commitment to nonviolent action, his speeches might have been dismissed as mere rhetoric. His integrity in action made his words credible.

As leaders, we must recognize that our words set expectations, but it’s our actions that prove we mean what we say. Preaching teamwork without being collaborative, or promising accountability without delivering results, creates a trust deficit. It’s not what you say; it’s what you do that builds credibility.

1 John 3:18 captures this beautifully:

“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth” (CSB).

This verse reminds us that words, without actions to back them, are empty.

So, shut up and talk—through your actions. Let what you do give power and credibility to what you say. After all, integrity isn’t just about saying the right things; it’s about living them.

Pause for a moment and ask yourself: what brain are you thinking with right now? Is it your intellect or your emotion? Dig a little deeper. Is it your stomach whispering hunger-fueled urgency? Your ego defending its fragile pride? Perhaps it’s pain, anger, disdain, love, passion, fear, lust, hope, or empathy. Each of these “brains” represents different triggers, emotions, and bodily reactions. But here’s the real question: do you know which one you’re using? And if so, do you know why or what set it off?

Here’s the fascinating part—we have the ability to switch to a different brain. Our intellectual brain can override a surge of anger, or our empathetic brain can drown out a moment of disdain. But can you make that switch in the heat of the moment? Can you choose clarity over chaos now?

This daily dance of self-awareness is one I continually engage in. I strive to better understand myself because self-awareness is the bridge to better communication with others. When I recognize which brain I’m using, I can more deliberately access the appropriate one to navigate personal and professional interactions effectively. Understanding my triggers isn’t just about managing them—it’s about mastering them to achieve progress toward my goals.

Self-mastery isn’t a destination; it’s a lifelong journey. Each day, I take small steps to recognize which brain is in the driver’s seat, learn from it, and, if necessary, switch to a more appropriate navigator. Progress comes not from perfection but from persistence.

As the Apostle Paul reminds us,

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, CSB)

When we guide our minds intentionally, we align our thoughts with what truly matters. And that is the ultimate form of self-mastery.

May you become a become a better version of yourself this year. May you take intentional steps daily towards your goals, build momentum and don’t stop if you slip up.

Happy New Year! The time is here,
To start afresh, to persevere.
To dream aloud, to rise and grow,
And take the steps that make it so.

A better you is within your reach,
In every lesson life will teach.
With daily strides, momentum builds,
A tapestry of effort skilled.

Slip-ups happen—that’s okay,
Dust off your knees and find your way.
Success is not in never falling,
But in the rise, the forward calling.

So set your sights, be bold, be true,
The world awaits the best of you.
This year’s a canvas, fresh and new,
Paint it bright—your dreams in view.