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8/4/2025

Northern Michigan, last week.

I’m piloting a rental boat when a storm rolls in across the lake.

As waves start building, I scan the water and see smaller boats getting tossed around like toys.

But we’re cruising along. Completely unaffected.

That’s when it hit me…

Equipment Matters

We cut through those same waves like butter.

Same storm. Same lake. Completely different experience.

That’s when it clicked: It’s not about avoiding the waves.

It’s about having the right equipment when they hit.

Here’s What Most People Miss:

Life’s storms are inevitable. Job loss. Health scares. Relationship drama.

But some people navigate these easily while others get destroyed by the same challenges.

The difference? What they built before the storm hit.

What Foundation Are You Building?

The question isn’t whether storms will come.

It’s what kind of foundation you’re building right now.

Your “boat” is your skills, your network, your savings, your habits, your mindset.

Build it strong enough, and what terrifies others becomes manageable for you.

Run To Challenges, Not From Them:

The goal isn’t to avoid challenges.

It’s to build yourself so strong that challenges become opportunities.

When you know you can handle anything, you stop running from hard things.

You start running toward them.

Here’s The Trap:

When life is easy, we get comfortable. We coast.

Good job? → Stop learning new skills. Steady income? → Skip building that emergency fund. Feeling healthy? → Skip the gym.

But comfort is where preparation goes to die.

The storm always comes. And when it does, the people who prepared in the calm will thrive while others scramble.

So Here’s What I Want You To Do:

Pick ONE area where you’re cruising in calm water right now.

Your health. Your skills. Your finances. Your relationships.

Ask yourself: “If a storm hit this area tomorrow, would I sink or sail?”

If the answer is sink, that’s your next boat-building project.

Because storms don’t send calendar invites.

Until next time,

Dallen "Smooth Sailing" Reber

P.S. What's one area of your life where you know you're in a "small boat" right now?

Hit reply and let me know—I read every email and love hearing from you. And who knows, maybe I'll be able to create a resource to help you build a bigger boat in that area.

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