Dave Batcheller

Articles and News

Stressed out man looking at his laptop

The 2 Truths Of Pursuing Goals

The biggest mistakes I’ve made weren’t due to lack of effort but self-deception—believing things would happen faster and cost less than they did. The truth? Success always takes longer and requires more than we expect. Ignoring this reality leads to frustration, but embracing it allows us to plan smarter, act with urgency, and achieve meaningful goals. The challenge isn’t just setting ambitious goals—it’s being honest enough to navigate the unpredictable journey required to reach them.
Women Stressed, Crying, Pretending To Be Happy About Work

Work-Life Balance Is A Dangerous Lie

Work is the biggest slice of your life’s pie chart—why spend it doing something you merely tolerate? Instead of chasing the myth of work-life balance, find work you love and do it wholeheartedly. When you approach your work with joy and purpose, that energy flows into every other part of your life. Forget balance—seek harmony.
Man walking with his 3 kids

Boardroom to Living Room: 3 Steps To A Better You

Growing and leading businesses is among life's most stressful occupations, with stress clinging to you like smoke from a fire. Discover three powerful steps you can complete in under three minutes to transform how you transition from work to home. Learn tactical breathing techniques used by special forces, reframing strategies, and intentional practices that help busy professionals show up as their best selves for their families.
A dangerous looking ladder ascends the side of a tall tower

Ladders and Walls: Tools For Making Big Career Decisions

Most of us spend our early lives climbing a ladder that others have placed before us. We follow the prescribed steps—school, career, relationships—without questioning whether the wall we’re climbing is the right one. Then one day, we reach the top and realize something unsettling: we don’t know if this is where we actually want to be. The truth is, many of us were never taught to look inward. We’ve become experts at meeting expectations but amateurs at understanding our own desires. So when faced with life’s infinite possibilities, we feel lost, seeking direction from external sources instead of our own instincts. The key to finding our true path isn’t in climbing faster or higher—it’s in stopping to ask if we’re even on the right ladder. Through journaling and deep self-reflection, we can begin to unearth our true selves, translating the fragments of identity we uncover into a life that aligns with who we really are.
A judges gavel coming down on a keyboard as through affirming a final decision.

Better Decision Making Under Pressure

We spend a lot of time worried about what they will think. But who are they, really? When you sit with it, you realize they aren’t a real group—just a phantom audience we imagine judging our every move. And yet, we let them dictate our decisions, adding pressure that isn’t even real. The truth? Most people aren’t thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are. They’re too busy thinking about themselves. Step one to freeing yourself from unnecessary stress: stop living for them. Instead, focus on the expectations you hold for yourself, your commitments to your family, and how you show up for the people who truly matter. They won’t miss you—and you won’t miss them.
Image of a man that looks dismayed

Men’s Purpose Has Shifted: This Is What We Do About It

We do not live in the world of our fathers. Over the last 50 years, men’s roles have radically shifted. No longer defined by financial or physical security, men now face the challenge of redefining their purpose in a world where emotional strength is the new frontier. This article dives deep into the shift from traditional masculine roles to a new era where vulnerability, emotional availability, and self-awareness are key to thriving. It's a call to men everywhere to look inward, chip away at the expectations placed upon us, and discover the strength that comes from truly knowing and embracing ourselves.
Lonely Leader With Life Flowing Around Him

Loneliness & Leadership: Success Means Little Standing Alone

Leadership can often be a lonely journey, with many executives feeling isolated despite constant interactions. This isolation can hinder performance and well-being. However, by embracing authentic leadership—engaging in genuine, open communication and building trust—leaders can foster deeper connections with their teams. This approach not only alleviates feelings of loneliness but also enhances team morale, job satisfaction, and overall organizational success
Emergency of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt from the shadows in the form of a giant spider.

Fear, Uncertainty, And Doubt

This new wave requires that we transition from brain to heart. From mental to emotional. The most important parts of our lives have never been our work. They have always been our relationships." This excerpt encapsulates the key message about human adaptation in the age of AI, highlighting the shift from cognitive skills to emotional intelligence and the primacy of human connections. It's thought-provoking, concise, and representative of the article's deeper insights about personal growth and navigating technological change.
Women Marveling at the bright emergence of authentic well being

Eleven Things Healthy People Do

In a society where distractions abound and superficial measures of success often overshadow genuine fulfillment, it's easy to lose sight of true wellbeing. To navigate this maze, we must first understand what authentic health looks like. Healthy individuals are secure in themselves, seeking internal validation rather than external approval. They respect both themselves and others, setting boundaries that protect their mental and physical health. By focusing on these core principles, we can reclaim a sense of balance and purpose in our lives.