Last month, I shared my first trucker hat story with you. Remember, I have over 30 of them and each one is important; each one has  story that goes with it. Today’s is no different. In fact, today’s may the most important one.

Some of you know that my wife, Lynn, is a General Contractor and that we own a construction company. This year has been one of her best and this Summer completely exploded. As luck would have it, my speaking business falls flat every Summer. Not sure why, but it does. This Summer I have been able to help her quite a bit, which is great because she needed it! Now, you aren’t likely to see me on a job site too too much. I typically work behind the scenes. BUT I am known to cut a nice paint line and I can supervise a clean up like no one’s business.

Here’s what’s so important about this hat. It represents the blood, sweat, and tears of my wife’s hard work. She built it from nothing and I am so very proud of her. She is good at it, she likes it, and people are nuts about working with her. Here’s the other thing. This is not my dream; it’s hers. BUT  this has helped so much more with MY dream than any of you could ever know. It has allowed me to continue pursuing my dream because it affords our family a living.

It took me a while to get that into my thick skull. I was SO into my own dream that I didn’t see what was right in front of me. AND I certainly didn’t appreciate it. This Summer, I realized just how important this hat is and what it means to me.

So, here’s the lesson for you. Sometimes, the things that are most important are not in your main vision. Sometimes, we don’t even want to see them because we are too in our own things and our own heads. I’ll remind you to stop and look at what you have and what it gives you. And then, be grateful for it. I know I am.

When you change your mindset, you change your life.