I’m so happy to finally be able to share my book, Believe in More. It’s been a labor of love, like all important things, and I hope when you read it, you learn a little bit, laugh a little bit, and maybe even cry a little bit. Believe in More tells the story of how I started my company, Total Life Changes, out of the basement of my house. It also tells the story of how I came to understand what’s important in life, and why I’ve built TLC around those Core Values. I tried to explain some of the big ideas that drive my life and decisions, but it’s really way simpler than it sounds.
Everything starts with Granny.
Growing up with Granny
My grandmother raised me in her little house in East Detroit, Michigan. We didn’t have much, but we had enough, and we had each other. Granny was tough, and expected a lot from me. I didn’t always live up to those expectations. I guess you could say I was a handful. When I acted up, I knew Granny had noticed because she gave me the silent treatment. Her silence was a powerful tool. Usually, I got my act together right away.
She was as wise and loving as she was tough. Granny used to tell me that people only really needed three things: a good coat, a good pair of shoes, and a good bed. She provided those for me. Everything else, she said, was just details. Be happy and appreciate what you have.
Lessons for Business
I didn’t know it at the time, but that lesson would prove to be the foundation for one of TLC’s Core Values: Grateful is Our Mindset. Instead of focusing on what we want, we focus on what we have. Family. Friends. Faith. When I take a moment to look around and see the people I’m fortunate enough to have in my life, I know what it means to be truly happy.
There are lots of ways to measure success, but the most important yardstick is the one that measures the joy you bring to other people. I am proud to say that Total Life Changes has built its success around bringing people joy. By any measure, that’s success.
Getting to “Good Enough”
Granny always ends phone conversations the same way, by saying “Good enough” instead of “goodbye” or “talk to you later.” It was her way of reminding herself, and whoever was fortunate to be on the other end of that phone call, to be grateful for everything in her life. I think about that every day. I’ve built a successful company around helping our customers and business partners improve their lives, and I’ve surrounded myself with family and friends who support my vision. I enjoy going to work, every day, and I look forward to coming home to my beautiful wife and amazing kids.
I also have a good coat. A good bed. And a good pair of shoes.
Granny was right. That’s good enough.
Jack Fallon
