Greetings from snowy Charleston, South Carolina.

Winter storm Enzo paid us a wonderful visit as our city came to a peaceful halt because no one even owns a snow shovel, let alone a snow plow.

As I sit here, my two youngest kids are outside, having turned their boogie boards into sleds, and doing their best to find a hill in our neighborhood.

This issue is focused on optimization and how some people, companies, or players dramatically outperform the rest and why that is.

Here’s this week’s newsletter.

1. What an NFL Quarterback Can Teach RIA Leaders About Maximizing Potential

2. On the Pod: Daniel Crosby on DAFs🎧

3. Bookmarks

   1. The Pros and Cons of GLP1s on the World: New Study Released

   2. What We Should Learn from WD-40

   3. March Sessions

4. Milemarker On the Road ✈️

What an NFL Quarterback Can Teach RIA Leaders About Maximizing Potential

Jayden Daniels.

He’s not just playing football—he’s playing chess on a football field.

The Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback is lighting up the NFL like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Heisman Trophy winner. First-round pick. The NFC Championship against the Eagles on Sunday.

And he’s just getting started.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just raw talent that’s turned Jayden Daniels into a human highlight reel. It’s his secret weapon: training at 1.75x speed.

The Cheat Code

A couple of years ago, Daniels teamed up with a German VR company. The result? A game-changing training regimen.

Instead of running through plays at normal speed, he runs them at 1.75x speed. Every mental rep is faster, sharper, more intense. So when it’s time for the real game, it feels like everything is in slow motion.

And guess what? That’s why he’s torching defenses.

What Does This Mean for Advisors?

You’re not throwing touchdowns on Sundays. But you’re playing your own high-stakes game. And most advisors are stuck training at normal speed—reading books, attending webinars, and joining study groups.

All good. But none of them are 1.75x accelerators. None of them make your team unstoppable.

Here’s the playbook to fix that.

3 Ways to Train at 1.75x Speed

1. Get in the Game (Rapid Immersion)

Nobody grows from the sidelines. You’ve got to throw people into the fire.

The best firms don’t just hire interns—they create rotational programs. Over a year, those interns tour every department, seeing how the entire business works. Immersion like that turns rookies into MVPs.

You want a faster team? Stop explaining. Start immersing.

2. Hand Over the Ball (Immediate Responsibility)

Want to see someone grow? Give them real responsibility—and let them own it.

• Assign tasks that scare them.

• Check in to guide, but don’t micromanage.

• Let them deliver—mistakes and all.

Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But responsibility turns “followers” into leaders.

Bonus tip: Tools like Slack and Loom make real-time feedback a breeze. Correct fast. Celebrate faster.

3. Set the Game Plan (Clarity + Tools)

Growth thrives on clarity. Your team shouldn’t be guessing what success looks like.

Lay it out:

• First 9 hours: What do they nail right now?

• First week: What should they know cold?

• Day 90: Where should they stand?

Write it down. Use tools like Loom for tutorials. Share a Notion doc with milestones. Get everyone on the same page.

Invest 5x the time upfront to avoid 10x the confusion later.

Why This Works

NFL teams use the Wonderlic test to measure quick decision-making and adaptability.

You know who else uses it?

Corporate America and a few RIAs.

Why? Because fast thinkers make great leaders. And great leaders win games.

Jayden Daniels is proof: train faster, play smarter, and when the moment comes, dominate.

I used the Wonderlic at my last RIA and it was a great guide on the effectiveness of new hires. Higher scorers are better leaders and better decision makers.

Lower scorers are less effective or more deliberative.

What Does 1.75x Look Like for You?

Here’s how to get your team moving at game speed:

1. Immerse them in the action. Skip the lectures. Go hands-on.

2. Hand them responsibility. Ownership fuels growth.

3. Map out success. Clarity + tools = acceleration.

Train faster than the speed of work. When the game slows down, your team will own it.

So what’s your next move? Because the game’s already started.

________________________

On the Pod: Daniel Crosby on DAFs

Episode 077: In this episode of The Connected Advisor, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, New York Times bestselling author, and the host of the Standard Deviations podcast.

Daniel talks with Kyle about money, meaning, and the human side of wealth. Daniel dives deep into the often-overlooked aspects of wealth, the power of conscious spending, and the parallels between health and wealth. He helps individuals and organizations thrive at the intersection of psychology and finance. His book, The Soul of Wealth, explores what wealth really is and provides practical suggestions for how to change your thinking and your actions in small, powerful ways.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(02:05) - The Soul of Wealth

(06:47) - Daniel's thoughts on donor-advised funds

(09:58) - The burden of wealth

(17:19) - Why the influencer culture is rooted in half-truths

(24:19) - The parallels between health and wealth

(31:34) - New changes to Daniel's podcast, Standard Deviations

(36:07) - Milemarker Minute

⚡️Bookmarks

The Pros and Cons of GLP1s on the World: New Study Released

I’m not the person to talk to about healthcare-related stuff. I have friends for that.

That said, this thread on the risks and benefits of GLP1’s is very interesting and likely really relevant to many of your clients.

The Origin Story of WD40

A couple of days ago, I couldn't open the package section of my mailbox. Without thinking twice, I reached for the most natural tool to fix this - WD-40.

The key staple to have with you when you are working on any particular problem? WD-40. It was practically given to me at birth by my father. The origin story of this magical lubricant was an entertaining read.

March Growth, Technology & Data Strategy Sessions

I’m gearing up to hit the road and work alongside some fantastic clients in the coming days. While my February schedule is pretty full, I am available for strategic consulting sessions in March.

If your firm is ready to:

• Clarify your technology roadmap,

• Align your leadership team around a shared vision,

• Refine your data strategy, or

• Enhance advisor and client experiences,

Now’s the perfect time to set something up.

These sessions will help your team focus, streamline operations, and make meaningful progress this year. Together, we can create a plan that moves the needle for your firm.

If this sounds like the right fit, let’s schedule a session before my March availability fills up.

Feel free to send me an email: [email protected]

Looking forward to helping your firm make 2025 your best year yet!

Milemarker on the Road
Catch my team on the road at the following events or cities:

1. January 27-28 - New York, NY

2. January 29 - Omaha, NE

3. January 30-31 - Charlotte, NC

4. February 3-6 - Orlando, FL

5. February 16-19 - Orlando, FL

6. March 1 - Anchorage, AK

If you’re in any of those cities and want to arrange a meeting time, reply to this email, and we’ll get something on the calendar.

Jud Mackrill