Dear Family,

I’ve been reading Relentless Solution Focus: Train Your Mind to Conquer Stress, Pressure, and Underperformance by Dr. Jason Selk and Dr. Ellen Reed, and one concept they discuss in the book is Expectancy Theory—the idea that what we focus on tends to expand.

If you fixate on problems, they grow. But if you focus on solutions—even small ones—you build momentum and confidence. It’s not about ignoring reality; it’s about directing your energy toward what you can control. That shift in focus? That’s where excellence begins.

Right now, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—by the news, the markets, work, or life at home.

There’s no shortage of problems to point to. But the more energy we give them, the bigger they start to feel. This isn’t about pretending things aren’t hard. They are.

But we still have a choice: What are we zooming in on?

It might be something as small as getting your steps in before the day gets away from you, or taking 30 minutes to review your budget. Maybe it’s sending that email you’ve been avoiding, or finally connecting with that advisor you’ve been meaning to call.

Small moves matter. They stack. That’s how we shift momentum.

And if I’m being real, I’ve had to remind myself of that too. Some days are a blur. But when I pause and focus on what I can do, things begin to shift—my mindset, my energy, and eventually, my results.

So wherever you are—mentally, emotionally, financially—don’t let the weight of the big picture stop you from taking the next right step.

Keep showing up. Keep choosing progress over perfection. Because what you focus on expands.

From LUX, with Love,

Matt