A Lunch Date That Changed Everything

The other day I had lunch with my oldest daughter, and it turned into one of those conversations that sticks with you.

We’re sitting outside in downtown St. Pete—good food, better weather—and outta nowhere she hits me with this:

“Daddy, if there’s one thing you’d tell me or my friends to focus on right now… what would it be?”

Now… I could’ve gone tactical. I could’ve talked about building skills, starting businesses, finding mentors—all the stuff I teach every day.

But what I told her?

Gratitude and perspective.
That’s it. That’s the “soft skill” that’s built my entire life.

Let’s be real: Everyone starts at Level One

She’s working part-time at an optometrist’s office, just got out of college. She’s making a little money, figuring out life. And I told her:

“You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. You’re in a Level One Opportunity.”

I remember when I was at Level One.

Making $800/week as a full-time PT. Working my butt off. Trying to balance bills, family, life.

And at the time, it didn’t feel like an opportunity. It felt like a grind. But now? I realize it taught me how to appreciate everything I’ve built today.

That job didn’t pay me a lot of money.
But it paid me in perspective.

The secret most people miss...

Everybody’s chasing hard skills. Certifications. More letters after their name.

And don’t get me wrong—those matter. But what’s made the biggest difference for me?

Gratitude. And perspective.

Gratitude keeps you grounded when life gets hard.
Perspective helps you see the opportunity in the middle of the struggle.

Most people forget where they came from.
They forget what it felt like to make $500 every two weeks and still show up with energy and pride.

And that’s the moment they start to lose.

Because once you forget where you came from…
You stop appreciating how far you’ve come.

You already have this skill—you just stopped using it

If you're working a job right now and you’re frustrated, cool. That’s real.

But don’t miss the opportunity in front of you.

You might be broke...
You might be burnt out...
You might be sitting in a Level One Opportunity...

But what you do with it—how you think about it—that’s what determines if you stay stuck there or level up.

Perspective + action = your next level.

Final word from me to you:

I told my daughter,

“This job might not be your dream. But it's giving you everything you need to build it.”

Same goes for you.

So before you go chasing a new job, new business, or new opportunity...

Pause. Reflect. Get grateful.

And then ask yourself,
“What can I learn from this moment that I’ll be thankful for 5 years from now?”

Answer that—
And you're already halfway to the top.

If you want help turning your Level One Opportunity into a business that buys back your time, your freedom, and your peace…

You know where to find me.

Much love,
Greg Todd

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