Mastering Yourself: The Key to Consistent Success (Samuel Teaches Young Executives)

(Illustrative only)

Samuel teaches young
executives that looking
inward as much as you look
outward will foster
their success. 

If you want to be successful,
first come to understand yourself.
What are you good at, 
what do you want to do, how do 
you react, what are your 
patterns of thinking, how do
you solve problems, etc...

To be a strong manager
you must first master yourself.

 Personality and emotional intelligence shape many parts of our lives. You can be highly skilled and knowledgeable, yet still struggle when frustrations arise if your reactions come too quickly or without reflection. Our personalities often form in childhood, and as we grow older, we tend to repeat those early patterns unless we make the effort to examine them.

Variation in personality is not only normal—it’s essential. As a species, we don’t benefit from everyone having the same cookie-cutter traits. So when someone insists that a certain way of being is “right” or “wrong,” that’s usually an oversimplification. Every personality has helpful and unhelpful sides. Awareness allows us to identify those patterns and adjust them so they actually solve problems instead of creating new ones.

Human survival hinges on diversity of thought and temperament. If we all behaved and reasoned identically, we wouldn’t adapt well. Throughout history, both great and flawed leaders have emerged because of their personalities. The strategists, engineers, artists, philosophers—these different roles exist because people think and react differently.

Most of us naturally strive to grow and overcome our challenges. The key is to understand your own personality: know your strengths, know your weaknesses, and recognize how they show up in different situations. Don’t be thrown off by people who speak boldly or loudly—confidence isn’t the same as capability, and it doesn’t always fit every circumstance.

Real awareness comes from reflection. Sometimes others can mirror our behaviors back to us, though their interpretations aren’t always accurate. Ultimately, self-awareness helps you distinguish what’s genuinely yours from what others project onto you. When you understand your tendencies, you can pause, choose better responses, strengthen your natural advantages, and navigate obstacles with more consistent success.

Thinking about personality Confucious once said, 

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

How your personality impacts your career success (and what you can do about it)

The Risks of Court Misconduct and the Fostering of Corruption by Undermining Rights (The Story of the Clan)

(Illustrative Only)

Lady Justice knows
that to fight for
what is right is through
truth, fostering peace, and 
encouraging the upholding
of social contracts. She
has many enemies
that have benefited
from wrongdoing.

Symbolically her
sword cuts with truth 
to serve society while the 
scales represent fairness
and balance. 

She has a responsibility to
protect all members of 
society. 

Our society is built from
root symbolism and assumptions.
Those who are corrupt, hate, and
engage in wrongdoing use
different symbolic assumptions.
They serve the few at
the detriment of the whole.

Symbolism and Justice-MI

It’s vital that every system—whether in a government, institution, or organization—operates at its best. But even the strongest structures can fail, trip or falter. You can have solid checks and balances and still end up with individuals who misuse power, push ideology, religious preferences, promote friends, lie, or manipulate. That’s part of human nature: most people try to do good, and others exploit the system when given the chance. Some with agendas might say that will never happen but I think we should not be naive. Wiser voices needed.

The real danger comes when people with low moral conscious rise into positions of authority without accountability. When checks and balances are weak or easy to bypass, trust collapses. Too often, systems start protecting insiders instead of serving the public. Mistakes can be corrected, but years of wrongdoing should never be normalized. If it is, it means some leaders are serving personalities and interests— not the greater good. Negligence of duty.

The hypothetical, philosophical, learning thought experiment called the Story of the Clan  that illustrates this. In the story, extremists target and ruin a family out of bigotry with clear financial and social incentives to engage in misconduct. A lot of people knew but that didn't stop anything. The victims were on their own. Society looses much of their contributions. That is ok to a number of decision makers who feel only people like them, accept their distorted ideologies, should be the beneficiaries of institutional outcomes.

They follow them home, spread lies, provoke conflict, seek to intimidate, violated freedom of speech, mocked other religions, picked fights, undermined their rights, look upon disdain to othere races, associated members engaged in sexual misconduct in other incidents,  and even put willfully others children at risk. The dehumanization process embraced. A number of individuals suffer similar treatment by associated actors. Reports are made—by people who have been right before—yet they are ignored due to what appears to be prejudice. It is clear things should not be run this way and it is a sign of a growing trend.

In this allegory there were no backstops whatsoever. A judge, aware of the wrongdoing still enriched the in-group, side stepped constitutional rights, and gives a free pass to what one might view as cleansing behavior. When you mirror back how things might be viewed from others you will quickly find the two different standards.

In this example protecting certain groups matters more than protecting the victims. Saving face becomes more important than serving the people. If we changed the lens to a slightly different angle we might find these behaviors fundamentally a break in social contracts. It may not be whether such laws are broken but who may be breaking them on whom (We should leave the next generation something more focused on its purpose and can maximize societal engagement and support.).

 Consider,

• 18 U.S.C. § 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights): This law makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

Within the story, loyalty shifts from merit to racial or religious extremism, reflecting a risk of a broader trend in society. Polarization grows, and both sides contribute to it. Without real checks and balances, extremism seeps into institutions, leaving victims unprotected while perpetrators receive special treatment. Sometimes the abuse is so severe that those making decisions find it easier to blame the victims and move on—creating second-class citizens through dehumanization and character assassination. This is worsened when partisan actors rise to positions they do not deserve through special interests instead of ability or values.

Regardless of why these failures occur, we have an obligation to push for effective, trustworthy institutions. Strong systems benefit taxpayers, strengthen society, and rebuild confidence. It can also help our economy creating more opportunities. A new generation is growing up with deepening distrust—and given the behavior of some bad actors who use their positions to benefit friends, it’s hard to completly fault them for their concerns (Survey on Two-Tier Justice. Others showing that trust is declining broadly. We can reverse the trend by being focused. ). The Story of the Clan shows how unchecked hate and corruption work directly against the public good.

This isn’t about throwing people in jail. That is the last concern because some have learned to change and some have been found to have dark triad traits and need help to curb their urges. It’s about protecting future victims and honoring those already harmed. If we can’t do that, we may not be aligned with true north. It may be time to rethink and recalibrate some of our institutions so they better serve the people. Most individuals in these systems are good, decent, and hardworking—but when a few bad actors cause harm and no one steps in, the entire system loses credibility. If you don't like their opinion, no matter if it is helpful and fair, they go on a list. Apparently to keep them silent so we don’t need to change and act in the best interest of society.

Standing for our nation means standing for high-functioning, non-partisan institutions that respect freedoms. If they can’t do that, they cannot be trusted to lead. Vote your conscious.

*This is a learning thought experiment so take with a grain of salt. Change the elements around and come to your own conclusion.

Show Up: The Real Secret to Fitness Success (Fitness Trainer)

Fitness is important, and it plays a big role in overall health. Some people thrive in their fitness journey—getting stronger, healthier, and more confident—while others struggle to stay consistent. As the piece below points out, most people who start a routine don’t stick with it. The ones who do succeed aren’t necessarily experts; they simply show up through self-efficacy. By being present and putting in the work, they learn, grow, and improve over time.

This lesson applies to many areas of life. If something truly matters to you, you’ll show up for it. But if you keep finding excuses, the habit eventually fades. And sometimes, that’s okay—maybe the goal was exciting at first but didn’t hold long-term importance.

Fitness, however, is something everyone should practice at some level. At minimum, aim for three days a week. If you rotate routines and allow proper rest, you can go up to five or even seven days (you have to be clear on which body party which day), depending on your schedule and goals.

Don’t be intimidated by the gym. Most people there are learning and improving just like you. Yes, you’ll see a few bodybuilders or ultra-fit athletes, but they’re far less common than people think—and certain gyms simply attract them more than others.

I go to a few gyms myself, including the YMCA and The Point Loma Sports Club. I like the YMCA because their nationwide program lets me walk into just about any location when I travel.

I’m a certified fitness trainer with experience in various sports and activities. If you’d like help getting started or want guidance along the way, I can work with you virtually. If we’re in the same area, we can train in person as well—though most sessions will be online.

If you’re interested, send me a message.
Stay committed—you’ve got this.

Why Do Some Stick with Their Fitness Routine

Platonic Valentines Day in Escanaba (Two Bands and Italian!)

(Illustrative Only)

Tony enjoys hanging
with platonic friends. Less
hassle and good 
laughs. Besides
when you bust out 
the suit you know
your doing some 
dancing. 🙃

Good car, good friends,
and a nice suit is all one needs.

Some people spend Valentine’s Day wrapped in romance—rose petals, candlelight, mushy photos, the whole glittery circus. The rest of us? We squad up with our platonic ride-or-dies and rip up the town like friendship-fueled goblins. Honestly? Way more fun.

No drama. No “where is this relationship going?” interrogation. Just laughter, chaos, and zero expectations except “don’t lose anyone in the parking lot.”. Definately don't forget you left your phone and swear you just had it. 😬

We hit Amvets first—because nothing screams “Valentine’s spirit” like a place that rocks your socks off. Then we rolled over with the Guppy Gangsta Wagon to Eagles, the private club that occasionally opens its gates like, “Fine, peasants, come party.” Membership’s about fifty bucks, which is cheaper than one fancy date-night dinner and comes with something fun every other day. You’ll meet people, might make a few friends, and have a few laughs. Better than Cheers! (Honestly, a low key fun place).

The weather? Foggy. Cool. Not the romantic fog from movies—more like “I hope that’s a person and not a trash can.” Love was not in the air. But the smell of pizza was.

We ended the night at Mueller’s Pizza, investigating their top-secret cheese-and-Italian combo like undercover food detectives. I was trying to eat more vegetables, but it’s Valentine’s Day—you’re legally allowed to eat like you’re starring in your own food documentary. Besides it has tomato sauce and onions on it so that is healthy.

If you want to know the bizarre history behind this holiday of chocolate, heartbreak, and overpriced flowers, go read up on the origins of Valentine’s Day. Spoiler: it’s weirder than any modern relationship.

The Dark Origins of Valentine's Day

Working Behind the Set-The Producers, The Tape Marks, and The Joy of Local Arts (Jared Holds Up the Wall)

(Illustrative Only)

Jered learned that
the best way to hold up
a set wall was to use
two hands. 😲🙃

Tourists love the arts.

Lately, I’ve been working backstage on the set for The Producers. If you know the show, you already know it’s a riot—one of the main characters basically funds his productions by sweet-talking little old ladies. It’s ridiculous in the best way. The tickets are descently priced so you don't need to bring the "checkie".

Backstage is its own kind of show. We have 10 to 12 people moving set pieces around like a well-choreographed game of Tetris. Everything has a specific place, marked with colored tape so we don’t accidentally send a prop flying into the orchestra pit. I was originally cast in the show, but I was traveling for the first month of rehearsals. And with all the singing, dancing, and memorizing, catching up later would’ve made me look like I wandered in from a different musical entirely. So I happily joined the backstage crew instead.

The crew is a dedicated bunch keeping the fine arts alive and well in our community. And the arts matter—whether you’re onstage, backstage, or sitting in the audience. People learn a lot from theater, and some even go on to do amazing things because of what they started right here. Plus, our productions are genuinely as good as anything I’ve seen in big cities. I love all of it: ballet, theater, live music, the symphony—you name it. I’ve even performed a few pieces and times myself, so I guess I’m at least part-time artsy.

If you get the chance, definitely check out the upcoming show. It’s funny, a little raunchy, a little weird—but in that “this is going to be fun” kind of way. Pair it with dinner before or after, and you’ve got yourself a pretty great night out.

And don’t forget—our theater is a fantastic place to send tourists. Point them to our website, get them to a show, and help them create a memorable experience during their stay in Escanaba. A good performance becomes the story they tell when they go home. https://playersdenoc.org/

Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply encourage people to check it out, every bit helps keep our local theater thriving.

The Producers

Show Dates: March 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 of 2025 @ 7:30pm
March 8 Matinee @ 1:30pm

Tickets for the 'Producers' Players de Noc

The Veins of Nature Paiting and the Creative Process (The Arts)

This painting came out of a couple days of creative wandering, which is a polite way of saying I stared at a canvas until it got awkward and then finally put paint on it. I’m not the world’s greatest painter—and I don’t pretend to be—but this piece was meant to be an impressionist abstract showing how every society has a lifeblood running through it. That’s what the “veins” represent. The lighthouse is there to guide us toward something better. And the ocean? Honestly, I just really like oceans, so boom—ocean.

The painting is for sale, and I’ll even cover shipping because I’m nice like that. If you’re interested, send me a message on the right. I can ship it matted, unmatted, or emotionally supported—your call.

---

A creative process

1. Start With an Idea

I begin with a mental image of what I want to create. Sometimes I sketch it first. Sometimes I just start painting like a chaotic goblin with a brush. It depends on the day.

2. Lay Down the Base Colors

Next comes the big color blobs. No mixing. No finesse. Just the artistic equivalent of yelling “FOUNDATION!” and slapping paint on.

3. Add the Details

Then I start refining—adding details, fixing things, creating depth, and pretending I totally meant for it to look that way.

4. Step Back and Adjust

At this point I step back, squint at it, tilt my head like a confused dog, and adjust whatever looks weird. This loop repeats approximately 47 times.

5. Stop When It Feels Finished

Eventually, I reach that magical moment where I declare, “Yep, that’s done,” either because I’m satisfied or because I’ve run out of snacks. Either way—finished.

6. Share the Final Painting

Up it goes on the webpage! And yes, it’s still for sale. And yes, shipping is still free. And yes, I will still ship it matted or unmatted. I’m flexible like that.

7. Reflect on the Process

People sometimes ask why I bother with painting in the first place. Simple: art is a deeply human experience, and honestly, we need more of that. Every painting teaches me something new, gives my brain a much-needed stretch, and lets me see things from a fresh angle.

I’ll never claim to be a great artist, but the process keeps me thinking, keeps me curious, and keeps me learning—and that alone makes it worth doing. I also have an art page I'm building. Art Page

The Veins of Nature

The Greater Responsibilities To Foster Transactional Trust By Minimizing Hate and Corruption (The Story of the Clan)

(Illustrative Only). 

A philosophical discussion
on the real and hidden 
nature of men and how
bringing focus on 
togetherness and shared
histories and futures
leads to greater social
development and economic
performance. 

Review Son of 
Man

(Sorry I like philosophy and art.)

Let’s talk about how hate and corruption affect society and economic development. Social and economic systems are deeply connected. Economics is really a measurement of choices, and those choices are shaped by our social values.

The Story of the Clan highlights how a society can split into two groups—an in-group and an out-group—and what consequences follow. When institutions or groups treat others differently, injustice grows, and both social and economic systems begin to degrade. This story helps us imagine what that breakdown might look like and how institutional failures, bias, and corruption can lead to long-term decline.

But the allegory has a silver lining and also shows the opposite: when divided groups come together around shared principles—like fairness, rights, shared futures—new value is created. Social cohesion strengthens economic resilience, sparks new knowledge, and encourages growth.

If institutions favor one religion, race, political identity, or group over another, unwritten rules begin to replace fair ones. Once that happens, the underlying economic assumptions shift. Patterns become harder to measure, and the risk of instability increases. It may not happen immediately, but the likelihood of economic and/or social disruption grows.

On the other hand, when society unites around shared values, exchange improves—both in speed and in quality. As a transactional process improving the efficiency and value of social exchanges among different people leads to value creation. Much like you would find if a new market was created except this one is right there in front of us but we struggle to see it as assumptions hold us back (Mirroring back sometmes leads to new information and minimization of assumptions that allow us to see new paths.) People share more knowledge, trust increases, and the overall economy benefits  Research supports this: stronger social trust leads to stronger economic performance. 

Perhaps our renaissance was infront of our face waiting to be tapped.

Trust is essential in any society. To build a stable future, we have to think beyond the present, consider the needs of the next generation, and bring people together around common principles. Doing so puts us in the best position to maximize human potential and support sustainable economic development. Any time you can improve an institutions performance around core values we should do so. There is a greater responsibility beyond the narratives of the day. 

Law should support the moral conscious of the heart.

*As a philosophical theoretical discussion you can adjust or change around the elements and come up with your own conclusion. There is no right or wrong answer but helpful and unhelpful ones. Take with a grain of salt.