A Crossroads Moment: Choosing Growth Over Fear

In life, we often find ourselves at significant crossroads—faced with decisions that can lead either toward comfort or challenge. On one path, there’s the familiarity of the known, where risk is minimal but so is the opportunity for growth. On the other, the path may be filled with uncertainty, but it also holds the potential for immense personal and professional development.

It’s in these moments that the greatest lessons are learned. Choosing the path of growth means embracing discomfort, facing challenges head-on, and learning through inevitable mistakes. While the fear of failure can be overwhelming, those who push through it often find that the greatest rewards come from stepping outside of their comfort zone.

At the end of the day, what really feels good is knowing you’ve grown and challenged yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Chasing internal rewards over external validation makes the journey more meaningful and satisfying.

This week’s episode highlight:
Following a passion for adventure and creating eight-figure VanSpeed

When Duran Morley was just 17, he never imagined that a motorcycle accident would steer his life in a new direction. Laying in a hospital bed, unsure of his future - would he live, would he die, would he walk again or have physical limitations - Duran asked himself, “Is this it? Is this all I did?”

His story shows us that sometimes, life's unexpected twists can propel us to new heights—especially when we lean into our curiosity, limitless potential, and drive.

Here are three key takeaways:

1. Solving Your Own Problems Can Spark Innovation
   Duran started his business when he couldn’t find the van parts he needed. By creating the solutions himself, he discovered there was a market for others with similar needs. When you solve your own problems, chances are you're solving them for many others too.

2. Hands-On Learning Can Outperform Traditional Education
   Without formal college training, Duran relied on "The University of YouTube" to learn critical business skills. His journey highlights that experience and self-driven education can be just as powerful as traditional paths—especially when you're willing to dive in, experiment, and learn along the way.

3. Trust Your Gut and Make Confident Decisions
   Duran emphasized that staying stagnant is never an option. His advice? Move forward confidently, even if your decision isn’t perfect. You’ll always have a starting point to improve upon, and each mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Strategy Spotlight:
Embrace Self-Learning & Adaptability

If formal education doesn’t fit your path, turn to online resources, mentors, or hands-on experiences. Identify gaps in your skillset and keep the mindset that you can learn anything you dedicate time to mastering! The key is to keep learning, adapting, and staying open to new information.

Positivity Corner: Embrace Life’s Unexpected Turns

Duran Morley’s journey reminds us that life’s biggest challenges can also bring the greatest opportunities. After his motorcycle accident, Duran didn’t dwell on the setback—instead, he embraced it as a chance to dive deeper into his passion and create something meaningful.

In those moments when life throws you off course, remember to stay curious and open. Every obstacle can be a stepping stone toward something greater. Use challenges as fuel for growth, and trust that even when the path is unclear, you are still moving forward.

Next time you face an unexpected turn, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can this situation inspire me to be better?

Thank you for being a part of Time To Live: Thriving in Business and Beyond! As always, we love hearing from you, so feel free to share your thoughts, questions, or feedback.

Stay inspired,

Anne McGinty
Host of 'How I Built My Small Business'

Face Your Own Mortality

I’ve had more friends face serious illness or die young than I wish were the case - cancer, suicide, and drug overdoses. And, every time this has happened - it rips open my heart and makes me think seriously about what I’m doing and why and how precious our time is here on Earth and in these human bodies.

Perspective shifts in the face of loss. The trivial things we often worry about seem to dissolve, and what remains are the deeper questions: Am I living authentically? Am I pursuing what lights me up? Am I giving enough love, time, and attention to the people who matter?

We’re all here for a limited time, and the clarity that comes from reflecting on our own mortality can be a powerful guide for living a more meaningful life. Let it remind you not to wait—to say what needs to be said, to pursue your passions, and to connect with others on a deeper level.

Want to connect? Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you.

Last Week’s Episode Highlight:

Sophie Milliken MBE
An MBE is British honor given to a person by the King or Queen - an award given to recognize people's outstanding contributions or service to the community.

Sophie’s email about being on my show really stood out. I receive so many requests every day from people wanting to be featured, and I feel a little bad saying this, but I’ve only ever said yes to two of them—Sophie being one of them.

It was her approach that made all the difference—a personalized message full of authenticity and heart. Sophie is an incredible human, and we might even get to meet in person when she visits the USA. That would be pretty cool!

Stay inspired,

Anne McGinty
Host of 'How I Built My Small Business'

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