The Propeller – 🎅 Is Santa the Ultimate Tech Enthusiast? 🎄 – 12-22-2024

Christmas is here this week, and while the world slows down with festive cheer, the gears of investing and technology keep turning. As we gather with family, enjoy the twinkling lights, and reflect on the year, there’s something magical about how the holiday season mirrors our journeys in both tech and investing.

Picture this: Santa, the ultimate tech enthusiast, zooming around the world on Christmas Eve, effortlessly navigating with his sleigh’s state-of-the-art GPS system, ensuring every gift lands exactly where it needs to. In a way, Santa’s operation is a perfect example of strategic investing. He’s got a diversified portfolio of gifts – ranging from high-tech gadgets to classic toys – and his yearly success hinges on careful planning, timely execution, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. Maybe we should all take a cue from him and think about how we’re balancing our investments and technology choices in the new year.

Of course, the holidays are about more than just tech and numbers. They’re about family and faith. As we reflect on the year, it’s easy to get caught up in market trends, the latest gadgets, or the pursuit of financial independence. But this season, I encourage you to pause and appreciate the things that truly matter: the loved ones gathered around the table, the joy of giving, and the blessings we sometimes overlook in our busy lives.

In my own life, I find that technology helps me stay connected with family and friends no matter the distance. Whether it’s through video calls or shared holiday playlists on streaming platforms, tech has a way of bringing people closer – even when we can’t be together physically. But, just as important, our time together reminds us of the importance of service, humility, and community, lessons that extend far beyond the world of investing.

As we look ahead to 2025, let’s consider how we can blend the best of both worlds – tech and tradition. Investing in our financial futures is important, but so is investing in relationships, faith, and the joy that comes from sharing experiences with those we care about. Santa’s sleigh might be tech-savvy, but his heart is grounded in tradition. And maybe that’s the best mix of all.

So, as you enjoy the holidays, take time to recharge, celebrate with family, and reflect on both the tech-driven and personal investments that have made this year special. Merry Christmas, and here’s to a prosperous, tech-filled 2025!

• Give credit, take responsibility
• Get aligned on timeframes
• Insist on a plan, write one, improve it
• Keep a calendar
• Don’t hold a grudge
• Speak up clearly and generously
• Show your work
• Share your fears
• Make promises and keep them
• Do the reading
• Talk about people only when they’re in the room
• Eagerly find someone more skilled than you to do a given piece of work
• Don’t hoard information
• Celebrate in public, criticize in private
• Don’t hide in meetings (especially the ones you call)
• When you’re not sure, ask
• Say back what you heard to be clear you understand
• Don’t be late
• Say please and thank you
• Find and offer dignity
• Ask what if
• Ask why
• Don’t tolerate bullies
• When solo work is better, insist. Otherwise, pitch in or ask for help
• Support the people you believe in with honest enthusiasm
• Pick your team with care, invest once you do
• Relentlessly seek better

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have skyrocketed since the November election (for people not in the crypto world, Bitcoin’s price passed $106,000).

As a result, I’ve received several questions about crypto and requests for books about crypto, so I figured I’d share 3 crypto books worth reading.

Crypto Confidential by Nat Eliason (Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3P5JZYa )

This is a great intro-to-crypto book.  In it, Nat explains how he got into crypto and his rollercoaster journey of making and losing millions of dollars.

It reads like a fiction thriller but it’s a true story. It’s well-written and a light read that isn’t weighed down by a lot of boring, technical information about crypto.

Nat also sprinkles in tips on how to avoid crypto scams, avoid getting hacked, and when to buy and sell your crypto holdings.

If you’re just getting into the world of cryptocurrency, start with this book.

The Little Book of Bitcoin by Anthony Scaramucci (Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/4gOp9bB )

If you want to learn how Bitcoin went from being called “crypto crap” to a legitimate asset by Wall Street investors, this book is for you.

In it, Scaramucci explains why many big-name investors and entrepreneurs were against Bitcoin and why they changed their minds. You’ll hear from Paul Tudor Jones, Elon Musk, Mr. Wonderful (Kevin O’Leary), and several other successful people.

This book is about 200 pages so it’s a quick read that you can finish in one day.

The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous (Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/4iMVC3R )

If you’re looking for a book that dives deep into the history, possibilities, and misconceptions of Bitcoin, this book is for you.

It’s written by an economist who explains the origin of money, why people started using gold, why governments switched to fiat currencies, and why Bitcoin has a chance of becoming digital gold.

Nobody knows what the future holds, but this book shows there’s a lot more to Bitcoin than the “it’s a bubble” talk you see on TV.

Check out this video showcasing the craftsmanship behind the custom-making of a model of the iconic Piper Cub, brought to you by my good friend Neil’s company, High Flying Models.

First introduced in the 1930s, the Piper Cub is a symbol of aviation’s golden age, renowned for its simplicity, versatility, and charm. Its exceptional handling made it a favorite for flight training and recreational flying. For many pilots, flying a Piper Cub is the ultimate dream – a connection to the purest form of aviation. Join Neil as his model builders bring this aviation classic to life in miniature, celebrating its rich history and timeless allure through their incredible model-making expertise.

You can check out this model and any of the hundreds of hand crafted models on their website at: https://www.highflyingmodels.com/

“The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.”
Voltaire

This is one of my favorite ideas because it’s true AND YET, most people don’t realize/believe this.  Your mood is a decision!