Life almost never goes according to plan—and that’s okay.

In this story, I share how my second North Star was born at the Air Force Academy, a place designed as a “leadership laboratory.” With acts of service as my primary love language, I learned the power of servant leadership—leading not for personal gain, but to serve others.

That lesson shaped a lifelong mission: to one day lead a global, impactful organization with the deliberate goal of making the world better. Whether that’s raising a family, building a tech company, or creating something entirely new—the point is alignment with purpose, not perfection in planning.

Key takeaways:

• Life rarely unfolds as scripted—you must stay adaptable.

• North Stars provide clarity for major decisions.

• Servant leadership means putting service at the center of influence.

• Having guiding principles makes it easier to say “no” until the right “hell yes” arrives.

• Moving through life like water—flexible and flowing—creates resilience and fulfillment.

If you’ve struggled with uncertainty or felt pressure to follow a rigid plan, this will remind you that purpose—not perfection—is the compass that matters most.