LET GO!

I just closed the book on 2020.

As I look ahead to 2021, I’ve been thinking a lot about what this year might hold. It already feels different. I feel more empowered, more focused, and more intentional about how I want this year to unfold. If I had to define it in simple terms, 2021 will be a year of more experiences and better decisions.

The words of Tyler Durden keep echoing in my head:

“Stop trying to control everything and just let go. LET GO!”

That idea is really what led me to start this blog.

I’ve never written a blog before, so I’m sure there will be mistakes, bad grammar, and questionable punctuation along the way. What I hope comes through, though, is authenticity. This space is meant to capture what I’m thinking, feeling, and doing as I prepare for different adventures—both planned and unplanned. This is the first entry in that journey.

Before I get into the first adventure, it probably helps to share a little about me.

I’m 49 years old and live in Upstate New York. I’ve always been drawn to adventure. At 18, I joined the military, and during my time in service I was fortunate to experience some incredible opportunities and team with some exceptional leaders. I was part of the 25th Infantry Division, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the elite U.S. Army Parachute Team—the Golden Knights—an elite group of parachutists who compete internationally and perform demonstration jumps around the world. Over the course of that time, I exited an flying aircraft more than 4,500 times.

After 14 years serving my country, I left the Army and transitioned into a career in finance. Life slowed down—significantly. To keep some sense of adventure, I earned my private pilot’s license. It helped, but flying around your hometown only takes an adventurous soul so far.

Deep down, the desire to travel and experience the world never went away.

After leaving the Army, I spent a week backpacking through Costa Rica. In 2004, I did the same in Belize. Those trips left a lasting impression on me. Not knowing exactly where I was going. Not worrying about every detail. Trusting that things would work out. Letting go.

And what I’ve learned over time is this: the moments when I truly let go are the moments I’ve enjoyed the most.

That’s why 2021 is going to be my year of LET GO.

The Leadership Lesson

Here’s what all of this has taught me about leadership:

The best leaders don’t try to control everything. They create direction, establish trust, and then allow space for growth, learning, and adaptability. Over-controlling kills creativity, confidence, and momentum. Letting go—appropriately—empowers people to step up, take ownership, and discover what they’re capable of.

Just like adventure, leadership requires preparation, courage, and the willingness to release control when the moment calls for it.

This year, I’m choosing to let go more—personally and professionally. I’m confident that’s where the best experiences, and the best leadership, are found.