Context · Past
Achievements
Meaningful past moments that provide confidence and perspective. Things that would make it onto a Facebook post, go into the diary, or the scrapbook. These must be aligned to who you want to be - your intentions.
How Jason teaches this
"Think about what you've actually accomplished - not your resume, but the moments that genuinely matter to you. The things that would make it onto a Facebook post, go into the diary, or into the scrapbook. These must be aligned to who you want to be - your intentions."
Personal
Spiritual
+
Started a focused bible study practice '23
Found a new church community that aligned with values '24
Made a commitment to compassion and unconditional love '10
Reconnecting to faith after time away
Was baptised
Held challenging conversations with both non-believers and zealots
Figured out Christian identity after a season of searching '24
Personal
Physical
+
Earned a scholarship to play college baseball '14
Dunked a basketball for the first time '13
Avoided the "freshman 15" weight gain '15
Achieved the company's highest Physical Fitness Test score
Was a 2-sport All-State team captain in high school
Started a yoga practice
Maintained a consistent workout routine through raising four kids and running a business
Best sustained run of workouts in several years - approximately 6 months consistent
Wrestled on the high school team
Personal
Mental
+
Figured out Christian identity during a transformative season '24
Became open to learning and personal growth '10
Created personal boundaries for self-protection '10
Became open to therapy '22
Won top award at Model UN debate competition
Became known as the go-to problem solver at work, home, and among friends
Started therapy for the first time
Began taking mental health medications to manage anxiety '21
Family
Spouse / Partner
+
Proposed to partner '24
Planned and had the wedding '25
Honeymooned in Greece '25
27-year relationship with wife - no major breaks or significant issues
Grew through marriage counseling during stressful home construction with 2 kids under 3
Built emotional maturity and intelligence through past relationship experiences
Achieved financial stability and life skills that prepare for partnership
Married their best friend '16
Family
Parent
+
Consistently showed up for stepson and maintained the relationship
Became a positive role model for nieces and nephews
17 and 15-year-old both in high school - raised them through the hardest years
Supported kids through multiple life transitions and moves
Created stable routines despite a nomadic living season
Family
Estate
+
Purchased first home '24
Completed a backyard renovation project '25
Completed office/guestroom design project
Bought a house and remodeled the main floor
Became consumer debt-free
Leveled and rebuilt home, designed for hosting large groups - hosts Thanksgiving, Christmas, 12+ parties per year
Kids and their friends feel comfortable and welcome at the house
Put kids on payroll with 75% going to Roth IRA
World
Work
+
Turned down a promotion and started own business '21
Grew the business year over year consistently
Started over in a brand new city and rebuilt from scratch
Committed to working with a business coach '20
Started a second company
Designed a company that operates without direct involvement while maintaining family-feel culture
Built a team of long-term employees with income above industry average
Receives compliments weekly about team members from people in the community
World
Relationships / Friend
+
Maintained lifelong friendships - 4 groomsmen who have been friends since kindergarten
Maintained relationships with both parents through their divorce
Known as someone people come to for help and advice
Kept long-term relationships spanning 40, 25, and 20 years
Wrote letters of recommendation for multiple child adoptions, counseled families through the process
Became the primary point of contact for extended family after loss of parents
Friends' kids all call them "Uncle" - used as reference for jobs and honor societies
World
Volunteer
+
Participated in serve days at church
Provided sponsorships, volunteer time, and support for 5K charity races
Donated paint and supplies for a local vocational special education program
Supported spouse on the board of a disability advocacy nonprofit by making business connections
Served as liaison for nonprofit fundraising and contractor acquisition
Throughline Pattern
Notice how many achievements are relational - proposals, friendships, family moments, and community service. The Life Arrow isn't just a professional tool. It captures the full picture of what makes a life meaningful.
Context · Current
Helpful Circumstances
The current tailwinds - people, environments, traits, and resources that are working in your favor right now. What's making progress easier?
How Jason teaches this
"These are the things currently helping you move toward your intentions. They can be internal - like a character trait or mindset - or external, like a supportive spouse, a good location, or financial margin. Think about what's making it easier right now."
Personal
Spiritual
+
External Access to many local churches
External Many online sermons and resources available
External Access to Bible and study materials
Internal Ability to block time for spiritual practice
External Past role models who shaped spiritual foundation
External Spouse models spiritual discipline
External Home church provides strong community
Internal Feels like there is more to life than daily surface-level awareness
Personal
Physical
+
Internal Background as a collegiate athlete
Internal No chronic pain or debilitating injuries
External Spouse is on board with fitness goals
External Friend group prioritizes fitness
External Good weather location for outdoor activity
External Gym access - including a basement gym setup
External Recreational sports league (softball)
External Family workouts twice a week - institutionalizing the habit
Internal Best sustained run of workouts in years - 6 months consistent
Personal
Mental
+
External Spouse provides daily encouragement and perspective
External Access to therapy (VA healthcare, counseling)
External Daily reminders and prompts that give perspective
External Family and friends support network
External Nature - proximity to restorative outdoor spaces
Internal High mental awareness and self-reflection habit
Internal Known as the problem solver at work, home, and among friends
External Access to Bible and faith-based grounding
Family
Spouse / Partner
+
Internal Still in the honeymoon phase - energy is high
Internal Core principles align between partners
External Partner's family lives nearby - strong support system
External Parents modeled a long, healthy marriage
External Spouse "retired" from payroll work - manages daily household finances with flexibility
External Have 401k, health insurance, Roth through work - financial foundation solid
External Supportive family and social circle
Internal Social personality - not afraid to make new connections
Family
Parent
+
Internal Both partners want children
External Great heritage of fatherhood - extended family has many children
External Friends are good role models and have kids
Internal Living more responsibly than before
External Access to parenting groups and church community
Family
Estate
+
External Spouse shares desire for a well-kept, inspiring home
External Currently own a home - have a base to build on
External Own a business - income flexibility
Internal Consumer debt-free
Internal Goal-setting habit and system already in place
Internal Open to learning and investing in personal growth
External Spouse not on payroll, 401k match, Roth - financially structured for building
External Balance on home under 30% loan-to-value
World
Work
+
External Spouse is supportive of career ambitions
External Friends share same entrepreneurial mindset
External Network of fellow business owners
Internal Strong personal desire for growth
External Business coach already in place
External Key staff have begun reporting up - able to step back from daily operations
External Time margin and flexibility from business ownership
Internal Strong health and good mindset
External Family is supportive of business
World
Relationships / Friend
+
Internal Genuinely like family and friends - easy to be around them
Internal Naturally likeable personality
Internal Faith provides foundation for relationships
External Strong family role models
External Recreational sports league keeps connections active
External Technology and social media help maintain long-distance relationships
External Known as "primary point of contact" for extended family and friends
World
Volunteer
+
External Church provides structured volunteer opportunities
External Spouse already connected to disability advocacy board
External Business enables making connections to other aligned organizations
External Experience as a liaison for fundraising and contractor acquisition
Throughline Pattern - Spouse as Anchor
Across nearly every micro area, spouse/partner shows up as a top helpful circumstance. This is one of the most common patterns in the Life Arrow - when the marriage is strong, it becomes the engine that powers everything else. If it's not there, it shows up as a challenging circumstance instead.
Context · Current
Challenging Circumstances
The current headwinds - habits, environments, people, or conditions making progress harder. Naming them honestly is the first step to navigating them.
How Jason teaches this
"These are the things that are genuinely slowing you down. Some are internal - patterns you carry - and some are external - situations you're in. The point isn't to fix them all. It's to name them honestly so they stop operating invisibly."
Personal
Spiritual
+
External Family not aligned with spiritual intentions
Internal Vulnerability isn't the default mode
External Friends not aligned with spiritual direction
External Social media noise and constant distraction
Internal Desires to focus on other life activities crowd out spiritual practice
External Work schedule and recreation schedule compete for time
Internal Often the last priority among the foundations - heart not "in it"
Internal Not familiar enough with key religious texts
External Difficulty surrounding self with people of same interest
Personal
Physical
+
Internal Enjoys eating large amounts of food
Internal Low internal discipline at times
External Minor injuries and PT work to maintain function
External Winter climate limits outdoor activity
External Work schedule competes with gym time
External Friend group participation in fitness declining
Internal Weight has fluctuated for years - hasn't been at goal weight in over a decade
Internal Poor sleep patterns due to family demands
Personal
Mental
+
Internal Internalizing poor business performance as personal failure
External Western culture propaganda - hustle culture, "bro flex"
External Internet trash - toxic comparison culture online
Internal Comparing life to others
External Social media - constant distraction and noise
External Work stress
External Unforeseen deaths and life challenges
Internal Difficulty continuously reading and finishing books, even engaging ones
Internal Capable of doing bare minimum - last-minute habits from school carried forward
Family
Spouse / Partner
+
Internal Feelings don't always align with intentions in the relationship
Internal Majority of friction in marriage comes from intimacy imbalance
External Lack of a family budget - too much frivolous spending on apps, disposable purchases
External Partner accustomed to certain lifestyle - making adjustments is hard
External Not yet married - current schedule and commitments leave limited margin
Internal Wondering what would need to be sacrificed for a relationship
Family
Parent
+
Internal Not ready to start trying for children yet
External Stepchild wasn't initially open to relationship
Internal Don't have kids yet - feels like time is running out
External Reduced social circle limits exposure to families with children
External Nomadic living season - lack of stable environment for raising children
Family
Estate
+
External Available cash constrained by wedding, travel, and business sprint
External Logistics difficult right now - too many competing priorities
External Chaos and unpredictability of life
External Neighborhood instability
External Executor of a shared family property - 5 co-owners means nobody truly owns it
External Lack of alignment on finances and vision with siblings about shared property - source of ongoing stress
World
Work
+
Internal Poor business management habits from earlier version of self
External Old debt looming from past decisions
Internal Lack of professionalism - makes mistakes that hurt the business
Internal Easily distracted
External Some friends are distractions and pull in wrong direction
Internal Struggle with "abandoning" the team - hard to fully step back
Internal Being approachable can mean getting looped into low-level issues
Internal Sometimes avoids difficult accountability conversations
External Unpredictability of life and market conditions
World
Relationships / Friend
+
External Limited free time to invest in relationships
External Geographic distance - moved to a new city away from old friends
External Unpredictability of life
External Temptations and distractions of modern society
Internal Mentally taxing to be the go-to person for everyone
Internal Frustration when people don't heed advice then come back for round 2
Internal Can lose empathy and become too pragmatic when people keep making the same mistakes
World
Volunteer
+
External Free time is the primary bottleneck
Internal Not top of mind - volunteering falls off the radar
External Solicited for donations and time more often than can be accommodated
Internal Concerns with charity fiscal responsibility and use of resources
Throughline Pattern - Time + Distraction
Two themes echo across nearly every micro area: limited free time and distraction (social media, culture noise, competing priorities). These aren't personal failures - they're systemic pressures that the Life Arrow helps make visible so clients can address them intentionally.
Context · Future
Ideas Round 2
Now with the full picture - identity, intentions, achievements, and circumstances - what are you actually going to do? These ideas are grounded in reality, not wishful thinking.
How Jason teaches this
"This is where it gets real. You've named who you are, what you want, what's helping, and what's hard. Now you brainstorm - what will you actually do? These aren't goals yet. They're the raw material that goals will be carved from."
Personal
Spiritual
+
Go to a weekly church service
Study the Bible regularly and reflect on what it says
Connect with people aligned with spiritual values
Define what spirituality means personally
Get "in sight, in mind" - keep spiritual practice visible and present
Explore apologetics - the intellectual side of faith
Educate yourself and stay open-minded
Personal
Physical
+
Reach target body weight (specific number defined)
Ensure past injuries are not limiting daily life
Eat well consistently - not dieting, but a sustainable pattern
Exercise daily - make movement non-negotiable
No toxic substances
Do sports or active recreation twice a week
Incorporate yoga or mobility work
Live past 40 with energy to be active with kids
Be strong - maintain functional strength
Personal
Mental
+
Read regularly - not just for work, but for personal growth
Continue therapy
Avoid tunnel vision - keep perspective balanced
Balance life - don't let one area consume everything
Pursue interests just because they're interesting
Prioritize well - be intentional about what gets attention
Tackle non-work mental challenges - puzzles, learning, creative projects
Create a personal "learning list" of topics to explore
Write more - not work-related
Connect with others regularly
Family
Spouse / Partner
+
Get married - make the commitment
Build a happy, healthy relationship
Prioritize quality time together
Be a good leader in the home
Be trustworthy and have integrity
Take trips and vacations together
Keep the marriage above the kids - protect it as the primary relationship
Continue dating each other - even decades in
Have open discussions about disagreements
Respect differences of opinion
Family
Parent
+
Have kids
Be an ethical, caring, loving leader
Be nurturing and understanding
Be knowledgeable - stay learning
Be a protector
Model what a good life looks like
Family
Estate
+
Create a comfortable, safe refuge for family
Keep the home maintained and paid for
Set up a trust
Set up a will
Get affairs in order - well organized
Create a central, comfortable place for kids and grandkids
Jump-start the next generation with what's left behind
Maintain family traditions
World
Work
+
Serve a lot of clients well - volume with quality
Create an environment where people are happy at work
Continuously learn and grow professionally
Be creative - explore what's possible
Have freedom and autonomy in how work gets done
Create systems that allow others to run and thrive
Be a professional company in an industry that isn't typically professional
Serve clients first, employees second - in that order
Discover what is possible
World
Relationships / Friend
+
Maintain good relationships with extended family
Stay connected with wider circle annually
Connect with parents monthly
Stay in contact with siblings quarterly
Be approachable - let people know the door is always open
Be known for pouring into relationships through good times and bad
Be seen as dependable
Listen when people need advice
World
Volunteer
+
Focus on special education sphere
Provide awareness for causes that matter
Be a catalyst - connect people and organizations
Advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves
Throughline Pattern - From Ideas to Intentional Goals
Notice how these ideas are grounded in reality compared to where they started in Session 1. They reflect knowledge of what's working, what's not, and what the client actually has capacity for. This is the raw material from which meaningful quarterly goals will be carved in Session 3.