Walt Hampton, J.D.

Creating the Work & Life You LOVE

Take The Damn Vacation

by Walt | Jun 5, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

When I started out at The Big Firm, the supervising partner sat me down for the onboarding talk. He said we got three weeks of vacation.

Then he leaned in, lowered his voice, and said, “But no one ever takes them.”

I remember thinking: That’s messed up.

So I scheduled all three weeks that first year.

Because if they were giving them out, I was taking them.

Summer’s coming. And a lot of folks are about to pretend to take vacation.

You know the kind.

You set the out-of-office message that says you won’t be checking email. But you do.

You tell your team you’re “unavailable.” But you’re not.

You’re at the beach, supposedly. But also on Zoom, in a collared shirt and swim trunks, fielding client calls while the kids are standing at the door with their sand toys.

That’s not a vacation.

That’s self-deception with a suntan.

Fake vacations will leave you more depleted than before you left.

They’ll frustrate your partner. Disappoint your kids. And shortchange your spirit.

A real vacation means you unplug.

It means you go away—mentally and emotionally, not just physically.

It means you rest.

Because rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a discipline.

Every elite athlete knows this. Rest is baked into the training schedule. It’s where strength builds. Gains consolidate. Energy restores.

But in business? We treat rest like weakness.

We grind. Hustle. Burnout. Brag about how long it’s been since we’ve taken time off.

And then wonder why we’re exhausted. Frustrated. Lost.

In our coaching work, we do it differently.

We begin with lifestyle design before business design.

We ask: What do you want your days to look like?

What do you want your life to feel like?

Because you weren’t born to live for work.

You were born to live; to laugh; to adventure; to love.

And yes, to rest.

So please—take the damn vacation.

Not a half-vacation. Not a performative vacation.

A real one.

You’ve earned it.

And your life is too precious to waste.

P.S. When you’re ready to create the work and the life you really love, we should talk. Email me: [email protected]

And when you’re done recording your away message, check out our website at: https://summit-success.com/

But that’s entirely up to you.

There Is Good

by Walt | May 29, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

There is so much darkness in the world right now. So much anger. So much fear. So much division. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. Easy to believe the whole world is falling apart.

But that’s not the whole story.

Even in the worst of times, good still shows up. Quietly. Humbly. Persistently.

There are people bringing meals to the sick. First responders who go back in, again and again. Teachers staying late. Neighbors lending tools and time. Strangers helping strangers.

There is music that lifts the soul. Art that stirs something deep within us. Mountains that hold the sunrise. Oceans that kiss the shore.

There is laughter that can’t be stopped. Love that refuses to quit. Small, steady acts of kindness that don’t make the headlines—but still shape the world.

Anne Frank saw it. Even as the world around her burned. Even in hiding. Even in fear. She wrote:

“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”

What we focus on, we see. When we look for the good, we find it. When we honor it, it grows.

And when we become it—when we choose to be part of it—we make it real.

See the good.

Start With Love: Why the Right Map Matters

by Walt | May 22, 2025 | Journeys | 2 Comments

I was carried away by the sound.

Beautiful beyond words. Beyond anything I had ever heard.

Each note more glorious than the last. A soaring concerto. A virtuoso violinist.

I was the commencement speaker at a high school music academy. And this masterpiece—this breathtaking prelude—was played by a graduating senior.

I leaned over and whispered to the assistant director beside me. “What music school is he going to?”

She rolled her eyes. “He’s not. His parents want him to study economics.”

I was stunned. And sad.

What the world would never hear.

But more than that—I knew exactly how his story might unfold.

You see, many of my clients come to me later in life. In their 40s, 50s, 60s.

They’ve followed the path they were told to take. Graduated top of their class. Got the degree. Landed the high-status job. Collected the big paycheck.

And now they’re miserable.

They don’t know how they got here—or how to get out.

They feel lost.

For that young violinist, the detour came the moment he stepped off the stage. He had the wrong map from the very beginning.

Career guru Dick Bolles—author of What Color Is Your Parachute?—says that following your dreams still matters. Love still matters. Loving what you do matters.

Benjamin Bloom at the University of Chicago studied 120 world-class athletes, artists, and scholars to uncover the secret to greatness. It wasn’t intelligence or privilege. It was one thing:

Extraordinary drive.

Drive fueled by passion.

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself,” said Abraham Maslow.

I asked a coaching client today how he ended up in law school instead of pursuing the philosophy degree he once loved.

“People told me to be realistic,” he said.

Too many parents—and too many of us—follow a map handed down by culture, fear, and outdated assumptions.

We push young people into debt, into lifeless degrees, into “safe” careers that leave them empty.

And years later, those same bright souls show up in my office—dull-eyed, drained, asking, “Is this all there is?”

It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re going to climb the ladder of success, make damn sure it’s leaning against the right wall.

Make sure it’s your wall.

Start with love.

Start with what stirs your soul.

That’s the only map worth following.

And here’s the truth: it’s never too late to chart a new course.

To rewrite the story.

To choose passion over prestige. Purpose over pressure. A life you love over one you merely survive.

Create a new map.

Start with love.

Mindfulness Might Be Bad

by Walt | May 15, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

Mindfulness is #trending.

There’s a lot of research; from impressive places like Harvard and the University of Massachusetts: mindfulness practices will reduce stress and inflammation; they’ll increase acuity and productivity; and they’ll make you happier and give you a greater sense of overall satisfaction.

But here’s the rub. Mindfulness means that you need to show up in the moment. In this moment.

Not swirling; not distracted by the smartphone; not multi-tasking; not racing about; not running around.

Not in the past. Not in the future.

Here. Now.

Seeing what is. Experiencing the present. Whatever it is: the good; and the not so good.

Which may be good; or not so good. Because we live in a culture of overwhelm; a state of continuous partial distraction. A culture in which busy has become a badge of honor. A culture in which busy has come to mean something: Like we’re important; significant; successful.

But as Brené Brown says, “It’s easy to convince ourselves that if we stay busy enough, the truth of our lives won’t catch up to us.”

Which of course is the ultimate “problem” with mindfulness: when we show up in this moment, we must confront ourselves. We must confront what’s working in our lives, and what’s not; where we’re full and where we’re empty. What brings satisfaction, what brings joy, and what brings despair. Which relationships work, and which ones don’t.

In the moment, you can’t hide from yourself. The camouflage of busyness is gone.

And, of course, that can be scary. Because you might have to do something different.

So before you jump on the bandwagon, just realize that there’s a price to this mindfulness stuff.

You’ve been warned.

Being Radical

by Walt | May 8, 2025 | Success | 0 Comments

Leaders are often pressured to adapt quickly and make rapid decisions. While agility and responsiveness are crucial, there is an underlying principle that is even more essential for effective leadership: groundedness. The word “radical” originates from the Latin word “radix,” meaning “root.” To be radical, in the truest sense, is to be deeply rooted and grounded. As leaders, your ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others hinges on your own groundedness, which in turn requires daily practices that nurture your emotional and physical well-being.

The Power of Being Grounded

Being grounded means being stable, centered, and connected to your core values and purpose. This inner stability allows you to navigate challenges with clarity and resilience. Grounded leaders exude a calm confidence that reassures their teams, even in turbulent times. They are less likely to be swayed by external pressures or fleeting trends because their actions and decisions are anchored in a deep understanding of their mission and values.

Groundedness fosters authenticity. When leaders are true to themselves and their principles, they build trust and credibility. Teams are more likely to follow a leader who is consistent, transparent, and genuine. Furthermore, grounded leaders are better equipped to handle stress and prevent burnout, which is vital for long-term effectiveness and sustainability in their roles.

Daily Practices for Staying Grounded

To achieve and maintain groundedness, you must adopt daily practices that support your emotional and physical well-being. Here are some key practices to consider:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for cultivating groundedness. These practices will help you stay present, reduce stress, and enhance your emotional intelligence. Just a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation each day can lead to significant improvements in focus, decision-making, and overall mental health.

2. Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining energy levels and reducing stress. Whether it’s a morning jog, yoga session, or a simple walk during lunch breaks, physical exercise helps clear the mind and strengthen the body. It also releases endorphins, which boost mood and overall sense of well-being.

3. Reflection and Journaling

Taking time to reflect on your experiences, thoughts, and feelings is crucial for self-awareness. Journaling can be a particularly effective method for this. By regularly writing down reflections, you can gain insights into your behaviors, recognize patterns, and align your actions with your core values and goals.

4. Healthy Eating and Hydration

Nutrition plays a significant role in our physical and emotional health. Prioritize a balanced diet rich in whole foods and stay hydrated throughout the day. Avoiding excessive caffeine and sugar can prevent energy crashes and maintain steady focus and productivity.

5. Quality Sleep

Sleep is foundational for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a restful sleep environment can greatly enhance sleep quality.

6. Connection and Community

Human beings are inherently social creatures. Building and maintaining meaningful connections with others is vital for emotional well-being. Make time to connect with family, friends, and colleagues. Engaging in social activities and being part of a supportive community can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

Embracing Radical Leadership

By integrating these practices into daily routines, you can cultivate the groundedness necessary for radical leadership. This approach not only enhances your own well-being but also positively impacts your team and your organization. Grounded leaders are better equipped to inspire trust, navigate challenges, and drive sustainable success.

The journey to becoming a radical leader begins with rooting yourself in practices that nurture emotional and physical well-being. By staying grounded, you can remain steadfast in your purpose, lead with authenticity, and create a lasting, positive impact on your organization and the people you serve. Embrace the radical path of groundedness and witness the transformative power it brings to your leadership… and to the world.