Adventures in the Unseen: Leadership, Stillness, and Showing Up
Lately, people have been asking me, “Where’s your latest adventure been?” or “Have you traveled anywhere cool recently?”
They’re great questions — and honestly, they’ve made me pause. Not because life’s been uneventful, but because the pace of this year has been so full-on that I haven’t really stopped to reflect or take it all in.
In truth, I have been to some cool places — tracking wildlife in New Mexico and Central Texas, fishing with friends on lakes and along the coast, attending a few inspiring business conferences, snowboarding in Utah, and soaking in good energy at concerts like Rüfüs Du Sol, Khruangbin, and Lane 8.
But even with those moments, the experience that’s felt most meaningful — and most like an adventure — has been right here at home in Arlington/Fort Worth.
As someone who naturally leans into movement — traveling, exploring, rarely staying still — I challenged myself this year to do the opposite: to fully commit to our family business, Joe Hall Roofing & Contracting. My intention? To help shape a stronger strategic direction, support our incredible team, and implement a new wave of innovation.
The bulk of my time and energy has gone into my laptop and meetings with our teams, navigating what I’d call a career, skill, and personal initiation — one that’s pushed me to develop new levels of leadership and business acumen. Leading the transition of a 36-year-old, multi-generational company into a fully customized CRM system with new third-party integrations has tested all of us. And yet, watching our team — and myself — evolve through it has been deeply rewarding.
I’ve clung to the belief that short-term sacrifice builds the foundation for long-term freedom — and I’ve seen that play out firsthand.
Truthfully, this season has left me mentally and emotionally maxed out. Writing, resting, nourishing myself — they’ve taken a backseat. But now that the transition is in motion, I can sense a new season approaching. One of reflection, rest, and recalibration.
And I don’t see that as a luxury — I see it as a necessity. Whenever we undergo massive change — personally or professionally — we owe it to ourselves to pause. To breathe. To realign. Even when the world keeps spinning fast.
So as I look ahead to this next chapter for myself and our business, I’m reminded — and I hope you are too — that adventure isn’t always about the places we go or the things we do. Sometimes, it’s found in the daily grind. In the sacrifice. In showing up. There will be chapters full of energy and forward motion — and others of challenge, responsibility, and stretch. But how we meet those moments defines the quality of our lives.
Can we stay open to change, learn the lessons it offers, and still make space — even just a little — for our dreams?