Hi Reader,

It’s been a minute since I’ve sat with the idea of tunnel vision.

It’s a theme rattling around in my head lately as our team weighs different routes to the same shared vision.

How often do we find ourselves at the starting blocks, convinced we know exactly where we need to run?
Whether it’s a sprint or a marathon, we lock into a track marked by a finish line.

That can work—when the rules are fixed and uniformity matters.
But it’s a problem when you have the freedom to live and lead with creativity and openness.

I’ve lived a few different lives: financial analyst, buyer, photographer, founder.
Still, I forget the lesson that’s carried me through every twist in the road:

There’s more than one way to get there.
And we always have a choice.

As leaders, we face uphill calls all the time:
• When to hire or let someone go
• When to raise capital
• When to pivot an idea that isn’t quite landing
• When to step aside if we’re no longer the right person for the next chapter

Each of these decisions can shift the ground beneath us.

I think about a piece Ify wrote once—about her husband hiring his first executive assistant.​
It wasn’t some massive strategic move. But it changed the slope of the hill.
It made the climb lighter.

The choices don’t have to be seismic to create real momentum.

Big decision: Leaving a startup I loved, because I was burning out—and the company needed to conserve runway for a technical pivot.
​Outcome: I finally had space to recharge and feel the joy of building again.

Small decision: Letting go of the pressure to make video content a regular thing.
​Outcome: I got to focus on the formats that actually match my voice and style—and do them better.

Two years ago, I restated my vision to make space for collaboration:
​“I help diverse, mission-driven founders grow their businesses with critical thinking and marketing.”

That line became a filter.
A north star.
A call to action.
​
It didn’t matter whether I was a co-founder, employee, consultant, or board member.
That vision gave me options—and opened more paths forward.

That’s a huge relief.

Warmly,
Justin

P.S. What’s your version of that clarity? How are you opening up more paths to the future you want?