🎄 Merry Christmas, haulers! 🎅☕
This morning at 5 a.m., as I sit here with a steaming cup of freshly ground Nicaraguan whole-bean coffee, and the anticipation of my kids soon tearing into their presents, I can’t help but think about the people who make this season special. Christmas has a way of reminding us what truly matters—the relationships we’ve built and the people we’ve chosen to share our lives with.
It’s not just about the gifts under the tree, but about the love, support, and encouragement we give and receive throughout the year. The people we surround ourselves with—whether family, friends, or teammates—shape who we are and where we’re headed.
Christmas Reflections: The People Who Matter Most
And that’s what this newsletter is all about today: the power of the right people. Whether in life or business, the relationships you nurture will define your success. Let’s dive in.
What We'll Cover Today:
The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people—both personally and professionally.
How choosing the right life partner or team members can shape your success.
Actionable steps to evaluate your circle and make intentional choices.
Choosing the right life partner has so much more to do with your success than you would ever even imagine. My wife in particular is such an incredible person. (No, I’m not currently in the doghouse.) You have no idea how many times I’ve bounced ideas off her. It’s nice to get a fresh perspective from someone so intelligent and down-to-earth.
She’s levelheaded but also an absolute firecracker at the same time. Half Cuban, half Italian—now that would be some deli sangwhich!
She’s been by my side since before I started anything professionally—I'm talking back since 2008. She’s actually the reason I started writing in the first place. Without her, I would’ve never pushed myself to take that leap.
Now, here we are—this newsletter has grown to over 600 haulers, and that’s honestly mind-blowing. I never imagined people would care about what I write. But I owe so much of this to my wife.
This got me thinking about the people you choose to surround yourself with—the ones you trust to be part of your team. Just like picking the right life partner can shape your life, choosing the right people in business can make or break your success.
As Jim Rohn said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."
The people you choose to keep close—whether in life or business—can drastically shape your mindset and success.
It’s not just about finding good people—it’s about finding the right people. The ones who share your vision, challenge you, and elevate you. And that’s something I’ve learned over the years—whether it's in my personal life or in business. The people you bring into your world can have a profound impact on your trajectory.
Your Team Can Make or Break You
At some point, you can’t do it all yourself. And if you want to keep growing, you need help. The people you trust with your vision are the ones who determine how far you go.
Think about it this way:
Your Right-Hand Person
This is your go-to person—the one you rely on the most. They’re your second-in-command, the person who steps up when you’re not around and keeps everything running smoothly.
Without them, you’ll always be in “fire-fighting” mode, rather than focusing on growing the business. A strong right-hand person can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling empowered.
Key Management Roles
These are the peeps who handle the daily grind: customer service reps, dispatchers, lead drivers—whatever the role. They manage the details so you can focus on the bigger picture. One weak link can throw everything off, but the right person can elevate your operations exponentially.
I’ve seen this firsthand: the right team members can multiply your efforts, giving you more time to focus on what truly matters—growing your business. On the other hand, the wrong team members can make it feel like your world is caving in around you.
External Experts
Not everyone on your team works directly in the trenches with you. Your accountant, lawyer, banker, realtor, or marketing partner—like adimize.com, shameless plug—are just as critical. Surround yourself with experts who are invested in your success, and you’ll avoid costly mistakes down the line.
Steve Jobs put it perfectly when he said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.”
Building a team of trusted experts and collaborators can accelerate your progress and lead to results you wouldn’t achieve alone.
It’s All About Intentional Choices
The wrong people—whether in life or business—cost you more than just money. They drain your time, energy, and mental bandwidth. You'll literally start losing hair—and no one can afford that.
That’s why it’s crucial to be intentional in your choices. Whether it’s a life partner, a right-hand person, or a key hire, never settle. Keep searching. Keep that job posting live on Indeed indefinitely. Keep conducting phone interviews. Choose people who believe in you and your vision—those who challenge you to think bigger, work smarter, and aim higher.
This decision is bigger than any other you’ll make—bigger than buying a house, bigger than starting a business. The people you choose will shape your life and success in ways you can’t even imagine.
When I think about how far I’ve come in both my personal and professional life, I realize that much of it boils down to the people I’ve surrounded myself with—not to mention the people I’ve made sure to let go of.
These choices have guided my direction and kept me focused on the bigger picture. So, take a step back and really think about the people in your life.
Are they pushing you forward, or are they holding you back?
Remember, the right team can elevate your business to levels you never thought possible. Choose wisely, and you'll set yourself up for success.
Actionable Takeaway:
Take a moment today to evaluate the people you spend the most time with—both personally and professionally. Are they pushing you forward, encouraging you to think bigger and act bolder? Or are they shooting down your ideas, creating conflict, and leaving you feeling small, stuck, and held back?
It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when things aren’t moving as fast as you want. But remember this: Every small step you take—every decision you make to surround yourself with the right people—will compound over time. You’re building something bigger than today. Keep going, and know that each effort is pushing you closer to the success you’ve envisioned.
Think about where you want to be in five years—personally and professionally. What role will the people around you play in getting you there? Will they lift you up, challenge you, and help you grow? Or will they hold you back, acting as dead weight?
Take a hard look at your current circle. Is it time to make some changes?
Your Action Plan:
List the five people you spend the most time with.
Next to each name, write how they positively influence your life or business.
If there are people who drain your energy or pull you off track, consider setting boundaries or distancing yourself.
Now, think about one person you can bring into your circle who will elevate you. Whether it’s a mentor, a new hire, or someone who shares your vision—how can you intentionally connect with them and add them to your life?
Start making intentional changes to your circle today, and watch how the people you surround yourself with begin to shape your future.
What We Covered:
Your team—both personally and professionally—can make or break your success.
Be intentional with the people you bring into your life and business.
The right people can elevate you, challenge you, and fuel your growth.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with joy, reflection, and connection. See you Sunday! ✌️
Justin Hubbard
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