Last week, I wrecked myself snowboarding—busted wrist, busted knee, both shoulders shot. It has completely thrown off my routines, which are the backbone of my short and long term success. I rely on early mornings, movement, and consistency to stay on track. Suddenly, that was gone.

That’s when I started thinking about how we handle setbacks—how we navigate these short-term hardships without losing sight of our long-term goals.

Then I came across a concept in Sahil Bloom’s The Five Types of Wealth that hit home: the razor.

What’s a Razor?

A razor is a simple sentence that guides your decisions. Bloom’s example? He’s the dad who never misses his son’s soccer games—so any professional opportunity that threatens that is an automatic no.

That clarity shapes every decision he makes.

So, I started working on my own razor.

Crafting My Own Razor

I’ve always said:

“I build products that change people’s behavior for the better.”

But I realized that’s only part of it. The truth is, I know I was put on this planet to be a father. My real mission is to model the behaviors I want my kids to adopt—discipline, health, consistency.

So, when this injury took away my ability to work out and stay consistent, it felt like I was failing. How could I model the right behavior when I couldn’t even move?

That’s when I reframed it: Handling this injury well is part of the behavior I need to model.

Not overreacting when my kid jumps on my knee. Not letting pain dictate my attitude. Showing resilience, patience, and adaptability.

Identify Projection: Your Razor is Your Compass

A razor isn’t just about choosing between options. It’s about aligning every small decision with your ultimate purpose—whether that’s in moments of adversity or everyday choices.

For me, that means:

✅ Prioritizing long term financial freedom so I can be present for my kids.

✅ Showing them that I work hard—but never at the cost of them spending time with Dad.

✅ Making decisions that serve the long game, not just the short-term grind.

✅ Building digital products and tech that make the world a better place, one behavior at a time (so they can look back in a few years and see tangible products I created that align with the behavior that I model at home).

I’ve learned this the hard way: There’s never a shortage of work, but there is a shortage of time with your family.

If you don’t have a razor guiding your decisions, you’re not playing the long game—you’re just reacting.

What’s Your Razor?

Take a step back and ask yourself:

What’s the sentence that should guide your decisions?

Get clear on it. Write it down. Let it be your compass. Because when life throws setbacks your way, that one sentence might be the thing that keeps you on track.