Where I Am and Where I’m Going
My Work Desk
Where I Am and Where I’m Going
There are four small flags on my desk.
They sit in a row, right where I can see them every day:
The American flag
The Ohio flag
The South Carolina flag
The Coast Guard flag
They’re in that order for a reason, and not just because it looks good. That’s actually the correct order according to the U.S. Flag Code: the American flag always goes first, then the state you live in, then any other state, and finally, military.
And yes, I follow the flag code. More than most people probably do.
Not because someone told me to. I just think it matters.
It’s a sign of respect. And it’s a reminder that details still count, even the small ones.
But truthfully, that lineup means more to me than any code or rulebook.
It’s intentional.
Those four flags represent my reality and my direction.
They’re a quiet but consistent reminder of where I am, and where I’m going.
I Don’t Have a Big Story
There’s not one moment where the flags changed my life or gave me a sign. It’s not like that.
They’re just... there. All the time.
At work, they sit on the corners of my desk. At home, they’re on my dresser, the first thing I see when I wake up (even though Sadie isn’t exactly thrilled about the bedroom flag display). I see them when I’m getting ready in the morning, cleaning up at night, or sitting down to think.
And honestly? That’s the point.
They’re not meant to be dramatic. They’re just consistent. And sometimes that’s more helpful than a big moment.
Almost every time I glance up, I’m reminded of something. Sometimes it’s how far I’ve come. Sometimes it’s how far I still want to go. Sometimes it’s just the quiet push to keep showing up.
Where I Am
The first two flags, the U.S. and Ohio, represent where I am right now.
This is home. This is the ground I’m standing on.
I live in Ohio. I work in Ohio. I’ve built my life here so far, in snowplows and safety meetings, in conference planning and 4AM shifts, in leadership programs and podcast episodes recorded in between jobs. I’ve been shaped by this place.
This is where I’m building Leaders of Today.
This is where I’m trying to lead well, serve well, and leave things better than I found them.
And while there’s part of me that’s excited for what’s next, these flags remind me that this chapter isn’t over. I’m still here for a reason.
They remind me that this season still deserves my full attention, even when I’m tired, even when things feel slow, even when the future is pulling at me a little harder than usual.
It’s easy to start thinking about the next place, the next goal, the next big thing. But the truth is, there’s a lot of good stuff right in front of me that needs my energy. And the people around me, my coworkers, my team, my community, deserve that version of me, not the one with one foot already out the door.
So when I look at those first two flags, they don’t just say, “You’re here.”
They say, “Be here. Be all in.”
Where I’m Going
The two flags on the right, South Carolina and the Coast Guard, are where I’m headed. Or at least where I want to be headed.
That’s the vision side.
I’ve had my eyes on South Carolina for a long time. I actually almost moved there once, a little over a year ago. That was the plan. I was ready. And then I met Sadie.
Plans changed. Or at least, got delayed.
Now I’m still trying to convince her that it’s the right move, because it is. It’s not just the palm trees or the warmer weather (though let’s be honest, both help). It’s the kind of place I can see us building a life. Slower pace, stronger roots, space to breathe a little, the beach. A future that feels right.
So that flag stays up, partly because it’s a really good-looking flag, and partly because it’s a reminder to not let go of the things that still matter to me.
Right next to it is the Coast Guard flag.
I’m not in the reserves yet, but that’s something I’ve been pursuing for a while. I’ve taken the ASVAB. Talked to a recruiter. Picked my rating, Boatswain’s Mate, and figured out where I’d be stationed. It’s a dream that keeps showing up in my life. A way to serve, to grow, to be part of something bigger than myself.
That flag reminds me not to get complacent. To keep moving toward it, even if it’s not time yet.
These two flags, South Carolina and the Coast Guard, don’t just represent a place or a role. They represent a future I’m working toward. One that still feels a little out of reach, but not impossible.
They remind me that just because I’m not there yet doesn’t mean I shouldn’t keep building like I am.
Why It Matters
Some days, everything feels like a lot. Work gets overwhelming. Plans take longer than I want them to. Progress feels slow.
And then I look at those flags.
Not in some over-the-top motivational way. Just a second of perspective. A visual reminder of what I care about, what I’m working toward, and why I don’t want to give up on it, even when it’s hard or unclear.
They help me keep going.
They remind me I’m not done yet.
I have more work here and I am working towards something.
Action Steps
1. Put something in your space that keeps you focused.
Maybe it’s a flag. Maybe it’s a photo or a quote or a note to yourself. Whatever it is, find a visual that helps you stay locked in on what matters.
2. Write down where you are.
Name three things about your current season, good or hard, that you want to be present in. Don’t skip this chapter.
3. Write down where you want to go.
What’s pulling you forward? A dream, a place, a goal? Say it out loud. Write it down. Keep it where you can see it.
4. Ask yourself if your days match your direction.
Are your habits moving you toward what you just wrote down? If not, change one small thing this week to get closer.
Why I Write
I write these posts as part of my own design cycle — to reflect, learn, and grow as a leader, a husband, and a follower of Jesus. My goal isn’t to sound like I have it all figured out, but to share the stories, lessons, and experiments I experiance long the way.
I believe leadership isn’t just about titles or influence — it’s about how we show up every day. It’s the small choices we make, the way we treat people, and the courage to keep trying even when things don’t go as planned.
I also believe we should dream big — to imagine what could be, not just what is. Every great idea, every movement, every changed life starts with someone who believed it was possible. The design cycle gives us a framework to turn those dreams into something real: plan it, build it, reflect on it, and share it.
Through writing, I hope to help people build the confidence to lead right where they are— to think differently, lead boldly, reflect honestly, and keep trying even when it would be easier to quit. My goal is to remind each of us that leadership doesn’t start someday in the future; it starts right where we are. We’re not leaders of tomorrow — we are Leaders of Today. And in everything I do, my hope is to worship Jesus through the way I live, lead, and love others.
Use what you read here to build your own cycle of growth.
Observe. Reflect. Adjust. Share.
Dream big — and then, start again.
My Childhood Bedroom
Sadie and I’s Dresser
My Work Desk