Hey there, Stark Raving Entrepreneur,
This past week Sam Altman—yes, that Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI who owns ChatGPT —pulled a “Code Red” inside his organization.
Not “kinda important.”
Not “we should maybe fix this soon.”
(Come on, you and I both know those are weasel words!)
But Code Red.
Slappin’ yourself in the face kind of real!
Translation: Extreme urgency. Change now or pay for it later.
Down South we’d say something like “Y’all better get your tush moving on this — NOW!”
And that got me thinking…
Where’s our Code Red?
I asked Gina about this and we both agreed we need our own “Code Red” for a checklist of “Must Fix” items.
This time of year is PERFECT (yes, all caps!) to find a time to make that happen!
Because let’s be honest—every one of us — as content creators, entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches, and consultants — has something in our business (or our life) that’s quietly leaking TME — Time, Money, or Energy.
You know what I mean.
Those tiny “no big deal” inefficiencies…
(Yea, right. Sure! — Terry says with sarcasm dripping from his mouth)
That habit we’ve been meaning to fix…
That overdue system overhaul we keep punting to “next month”…
You know what I’m talking about…
Yeah. Those.
They do matter. — Sure as shootin’!
And they stack up.
They’re nasty lil’ termites chewing through the beams of your entrepreneurial house.
Now — right now — is the perfect time of year to call your own Code Red.
Not as a crisis.
Not as self-punishment.
And not because anything is “wrong with you.”
See, caught ya’ red-handed — being a human being!
But because this is the moment when winners step back, look at the landscape with clear eyes, and ask:
What’s actually working?
What is absolutely not working?
What threatens to blow up in my face if I ignore it for another year?
I’m also thinking there are probably a few other more “colorful military expressions” that you might be thinking!
Entrepreneurs who thrive long-term don’t live in fantasyland.
They look at the world as it really is, not as they hope it will be.
And they adjust — fast.
So here’s your invitation:
Block out some serious TME — Time, Money, Energy — to do 3 things:
- Analyze what you’re doing right and wrong. No ego. No excuses. Just clarity. Pure, “in your face” honesty!
- Take a hard, sober look at the world and your environment. The market is shifting faster than ever. Are you positioned for what’s coming, or what used to be? (Hey, if 1975 ever comes back, I’m gonna’ know exactly what to do!)
- Assess your strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities as we close out 2025 and head straight into 2026.
This isn’t about feeling down or dramatic.
This is about leadership — of your business and of yourself.
The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
So let’s stop telling them.
Call your own personal Code Red. (Thank you, Sam Altman!)
Not because things are falling apart…
But because things can get so much better when you face reality with courage and intention.
The entrepreneurs who make 2026 their best year won’t be the ones who wait for a crisis.
They’ll be the ones who get honest now—and take decisive action now.
Your move.
I’m right here with you.
To Your Success!
Terry
P.S. Here’s a more extensive P.S. than I’ve ever done before. This is my gift to you and special “THANK YOU!” for being part of my email family. Whatcha’ think of this? Please let me know if this helps you out. Cheers!
Here’s a 5-Point Code Red Tough-Question Checklist
1. What am I pretending not to see?
What inefficiency, habit, expense, or platform is quietly bleeding Time, Money, or Energy?
2. What bottleneck would disappear if I stopped being the bottleneck?
Where am I slowing things down—content, sales, outreach, systems, monetization?
3. What truth about my market am I avoiding because it makes me uncomfortable?
Is demand shifting? Tech moving faster than my skills? Audience behavior changing?
4. What strengths am I underutilizing… and what weaknesses am I over-defending?
Where am I playing small because it’s convenient?
5. If nothing changed between now and December 31, 2026… would I be proud or embarrassed?
Let that one sting a little. It’s supposed to!
5 Action Steps for the Next Few Days
1. Conduct a brutally honest “TME Audit.”
List everything consuming your Time, Money, or Energy.
Circle the top five leaks. Then plug them immediately.
2. Do a Two-Hour SWOT Session.
Set a timer.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
No fluff. No self-deception.
3. Choose ONE system to fix before the year ends.
Not five.
Not all of them.
Just one—content workflow, CRM, email calendar, editing pipeline, automations, outreach system.
Fixing one core system often solves five downstream problems.
4. Recommit to physical and mental fitness.
Energy is your fuel.
2026 will reward entrepreneurs with the stamina to keep up.
Yes, do those push-ups and squats. Listen to your doctor!!
5. Schedule your “Quarterly Code Red Review” for 2026.
Put them on your calendar now:
April 1
July 1
October 1
December 30 – Just in time to reassess and get real for 2027.
If it’s not scheduled, it’s optional.
And greatness is never optional.