Champions aren’t always defined by what they possess, but by what they lack. It’s a paradox that flips conventional wisdom on its head: greatness doesn’t come from piling on more skills, resources, or opportunities. Instead, it often emerges from stripping away the unnecessary, leaving only what truly matters.

Most of us carry a burden. Champions don’t carry an overload of distractions, half-hearted commitments, and a reluctance to let go. Where we juggle ten priorities, they lock in on one. Where we hesitate to turn down the good in pursuit of the great, they wield the word "no" like a sharpened blade. Their secret isn’t in having something extraordinary that we lack; it’s in eliminating the clutter we cling to.

Singular focus is their superpower. It’s not about saying yes to everything that comes their way, it’s about saying yes to one thing and defending it fiercely with a thousand no’s. Every distraction, every side hustle, every tempting detour gets cut away. What’s left is a clear path to mastery, uncluttered by the noise that holds the rest of us back.

So, if you’re chasing excellence, ask yourself: What am I willing to let go of? Because the difference between you and a champion might not be what you need to gain, it’s what you need to lose.

- Kevin and Amelia Schwers are business owners in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on long-term business growth and community impact.

Our culture has spent years perfecting a strange transformation, turning victimhood into a badge of honor, celebrating loss as noble, and pointing fingers as a reflex. It’s been a race to the bottom, where the loudest sob story wins the most likes, and accountability feels like an ancient relic. But something’s shifting. The younger generation, raised on this steady diet of grievance, is starting to push back. They’re tired of the script. And that rebellion might just bring back an old-school vibe: winning is about to get cool again.

It’s not hard to see why. When every failure comes with a built-in excuse, it's someone else’s fault, some systemic boogeyman...it’s no wonder people stop trying. Why bother striving when the reward lies in complaining? But the kids aren’t buying it anymore. They’re watching the perpetual losers, the professional blamers, and thinking, “Nah, that’s not for me.” Instead, they’re drawn to the unapologetic winners—the ones who don’t grovel or grope for sympathy, but just keep stacking victories.

This isn’t about arrogance or trampling others. It’s about a hunger for something real: achievement, competence, results. High achievers are swinging the pendulum, and people are starting to crave environments where winning isn’t a dirty word. Places where effort pays off and excuses don’t fly. They’re gravitating toward those rare souls who don’t flinch at success, who own it without a side of guilt. The vibe is catching. Blaming the world? That’s tired. Building your own? That’s fire.

So, get ready. The cultural tide’s turning. Losing might’ve had its moment, but winning’s about to take center stage again, and it’s going to be shamelessly fun to watch.

- Kevin and Amelia Schwers are business owners in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on long-term business growth and community impact.

Haters. They’re everywhere. Like cockroaches crawling out of the woodwork the second you start doing something worth a damn. You know the type, snarky comments, eye rolls, or that passive-aggressive “good for you” that drips with venom. Most people get all bent out of shape about it. They cry, they vent, they beg for validation. Weak. Let me tell you how to deal with haters the real way.

First off, haters aren’t your problem, they’re their own. You’re out here building something, grinding, putting in the reps, and they’re sitting on the sidelines critiquing like they’ve got a gold medal in couch-surfing. Their hate? It’s just jealousy. They’re mad because you’re doing what they’re too scared or lazy to try. So step one: realize their noise is about them, not you. Stop taking it personal, it’s a waste of your energy.

Second, use it as fuel. Haters are like free advertising. Every time they yap, they’re putting your name in more heads. I’d rather have 100 people hate me and talk about me than 100 people ignore me. Attention is currency. Let ‘em rage, it’s just more logs on your fire. When I started, people said I’d fail. Now I’m here, and they’re still bitter. Who’s winning?

Third, don’t engage. You don’t argue with a barking dog, you keep walking. Haters want your reaction. They feed off it like leeches. Starve ‘em out. Silence is your power move. Keep stacking wins while they waste breath. Results shut mouths faster than words ever will.

Last thing: if you’ve got no haters, you’re probably not doing anything worth a darn. Success comes with a tax, and that tax is loudmouths who can’t stand your shine. Embrace it. It’s proof you’re moving the needle.

​So next time some hater pops off, don’t flinch. Don’t whine. Look at ‘em, smirk, and get back to work. They’ll tire themselves out eventually. Or waste their life whining. You? You’ve got an empire to build.
Now go do something so big they choke on their own spite.

- Kevin and Amelia Schwers are business owners in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on long-term business growth and community impact.

​We’ve all been there...standing at the edge of a decision, waiting for some cosmic green light. Maybe it’s launching a project, speaking your mind, or chasing a dream. You hesitate, hoping everyone around you will nod in agreement before you leap. Here’s the truth: universal approval is a myth, and waiting for it is a trap.

Action doesn’t need a standing ovation. History is full of examples...think of Jesus, who preached love and forgiveness while facing rejection and hostility, or even someone like Elon Musk, who bet on electric cars when skeptics laughed. They didn’t wait for a chorus of “yes.” They moved, and the world eventually caught up.

Seeking consensus can paralyze you. People are messy, opinionated, and often scared of change. If you wait for their blessing, you’re handing over your power to a crowd that might never agree. Plus, time doesn’t wait. Every day you stall, opportunities slip by, and someone else might step into the gap you left.

That’s not to say feedback doesn’t matter, listen, weigh it, but don’t let it be your anchor. Trust your gut, back it with reason, and act. The right people will follow, and the naysayers? They’ll either come around or fade into the background noise.

So, stop waiting. The only permission you need is your own. Take the step. The world adjusts to motion, not hesitation.

- Kevin and Amelia Schwers are business owners in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on long-term business growth and community impact.

​When charting a course toward a goal, whether it’s starting a business, mastering a craft, or pursuing a dream, advice comes at you from all directions. Friends, family, colleagues, even strangers on the internet all have something to say. But here’s a simple filter that can save you time, energy, and missteps: listen to those who have walked the path you want to follow, and tune out the noise from those who haven’t.

It’s not about arrogance or dismissing well-meaning opinions. It’s about recognizing that experience is the best teacher, not just for the individual, but for those wise enough to learn from it secondhand. Someone who has built a successful company can tell you about the late nights, the pivot points, and the mistakes they wish they’d avoided. A seasoned artist can share how they honed their style or broke through creative blocks. These voices carry weight because they’re forged in the fire of real-world trial and error.

On the flip side, advice from those who haven’t traveled your desired road often comes from a place of theory or fear. They might warn you of risks they’ve never faced or push you toward paths they find comfortable but you don’t aspire to. It’s not that they’re wrong in their own context, it’s just that their context isn’t yours. A corporate lifer might not grasp the chaos of entrepreneurship; a hobbyist might not understand the grind of going pro. Their input, however heartfelt, lacks the map you need.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore everyone outside your exact lane. Cross-disciplinary insights can spark creativity, and fresh perspectives can challenge blind spots. But when it comes to the nuts and bolts of your journey, prioritize the voices of those who’ve been there. Seek mentors, read biographies, study the successes and failures of your trailblazers. Their scars and triumphs are your shortcuts.

In a world drowning in opinions, selective listening is a superpower. Find your guides among those who’ve walked the path, and let the rest fade into the background. Your destination deserves that clarity.

- ​- Kevin and Amelia Schwers are business owners in Ankeny, Iowa, focused on long-term business growth and community impact.