Edition #62 | Purpose | The Backup Plan Myth | Tuesday, May 19, 2026

After a lot of reflection, discussions, and assessment, I’ve come to believe that the most effective way to help young people build real futures is by equipping the adults who influence and support them. That’s why you’ll notice a shift in how these editions are written going forward.

This isn’t about changing for the sake of it. It’s about adapting when something isn’t producing the results we want. As we’ve seen in many of the stories we’ve covered, the willingness to pivot when needed is often what separates those who stay stuck from those who move forward.

My original intention with this newsletter was to speak directly to young people who need guidance they’re not getting from social media or other distractions, with the hope of leading them toward real opportunity. Over time, I’ve realized that while the heart behind that intention was good, the approach wasn’t working. Young people often aren’t going to read a newsletter or won’t be in a position to make these decisions on their own, financially or otherwise. The adults in their lives are usually the ones who can recognize the value and help guide them.

This newsletter is now written for us, the parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, coaches, and mentors who want to help the next generation succeed. My goal is to share ideas, stories, verses, principles from the greats, and challenges that we can use and pass along. I believe we can make a much greater impact by working together.

With that in mind, let’s get into it.

On May 19, 1795, Johns Hopkins was born on his family’s tobacco plantation in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Today, his name is most commonly associated with one of the most prestigious universities and medical institutions in the world. Ironically, Johns Hopkins himself never earned a college degree.

At just 12 years old, his parents pulled him out of school so he could work on the family tobacco farm. There he learned discipline, responsibility, and the value of consistent effort. By 17, he was working in his uncle’s grocery store, gaining hands-on experience in inventory, customer service, and managing money. He took those practical lessons and eventually built a major mercantile and investment empire.

Johns Hopkins succeeded because he understood how business and money actually worked, not because he possessed formal academic credentials. His story highlights a gap that still exists today: we often overvalue degrees while underestimating the power of real-world skills and execution.

What stands out most about Johns Hopkins is the contrast between his life and his legacy. The institutions that now carry his name represent elite academic achievement, yet the man himself built his success through practical work and real-world problem-solving. This reminds us that tangible skills and the willingness to act often matter more than formal recognition.

There is a meaningful difference between discussing how to build something and actually building it. This verse points to the value of effort and execution. Real progress tends to come from doing the work, not just studying it.

This observation draws a useful distinction. One path focuses on preparing people to operate within existing systems. The other focuses on developing the skills and mindset needed to create independence. When young people learn how to solve real problems with their hands, minds, hearts, and voices they gain options that are difficult to take away.

It’s easy to ask a young person what they want to study. It’s often more valuable to help them discover what they can actually build or fix.

Here’s the challenge for today: Look at the young person in your life and help them identify one real, hands-on problem they can work on this week, whether it’s around the house, in the yard, or for a neighbor.

Encourage them to figure it out themselves.

Reward the effort and the execution.

When young people experience what they’re capable of with their own two hands, it often shifts how they see their future.

If you’re looking for a structured way to help them develop real skills and business capability without the burden of college debt, you can explore our programs at SOEBlueCollar.org.