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Hey everyone,
I’m John Drilling, and welcome to the first issue of Drilling Down.
I’m a husband and soon-to-be dad of a beautiful girl, figuring out how to build a wealthy life worth living while sharing what I learn along the way.
Life’s hard—I get it—and I’m here to make it easier for both of us. So, here’s my bold claim: I’m giving No F’s… except the ones that matter.
Here’s What “No F’s Given” Means
“No F’s Given” doesn’t mean I’m reckless. It means I’m done with what drags us down—pressure to be perfect, endless social media scrolling, fear of messing up. I’m all in on the F’s that matter—the ones that build a meaningful life.
A few months back, I hit a wall.
I was juggling my job, supporting my wife as we prep for our first kid, and chasing my own dreams, but I felt like I was failing.
That’s when I mapped out what a “wealthy life” means to me. Spoiler: it’s not just money (though that’s part of it). It’s faith, family, focus, finances, and freedom—my Five F’s.
This newsletter digs into those F’s as I reflect and learn.
A Bit About Me
Who I Am: I’m no guru or perfect. I’m a husband and soon-to-be dad, which is both exciting and terrifying, trying to grow daily. I mess up often—some days I can’t focus, my energy’s low from skipping the gym, and I worry I’m not doing enough for my family. But I believe in something bigger, I’m always learning, and I show up, even when messy. Drilling Down is my unfiltered journey to that wealthy life we’re chasing together.
Why I’m Here: My mission is to make life easier. Each issue, I’ll unpack an F, share what I’m learning, and give you something to try. I’m not here to lecture—I’m here to ask big questions and build a community of growth.
The Five F’s of a Wealthy Life
Faith: It all starts with faith—my relationship with God and church community gives me purpose and reminds me there’s something bigger out there.
Family: Then comes family, my “why”—my wife, our soon-to-be kid, and becoming the dad and husband I want to be.
Focus: Because of them, I’m driven to stay sharp—clearing my mind, building mental and physical strength, and trading doubt for growth to show up fully.
Finances: That focus sharpens my finances—building a solid foundation for my family, beyond just getting by.
Freedom: And finally, freedom—the big one. It’s where all four F’s lead, letting me say yes to what matters and no to what pulls me from them.
Each F builds on the last, creating a path to a Wealthy Life. I’ll dive deeper in future issues, sharing wins, fumbles, and lessons.
Try This Quick 2-Minute Exercise
Since this is our first issue, I want to give you something simple to try—a quick 2-minute exercise to see where your energy’s going:
Grab paper or your phone.
Set a 2-minute timer and ask yourself: What F’s am I giving? Jot down what takes your energy—the good (family time) and the bad (stress, scrolling).
Check your list. Where are you over-giving to what doesn’t matter? Where can you give more? When I did this exercise I saw I gave too much to work stress, not enough to health, draining me for my family.
Pick one thing to shift—say no to distraction and yes to what matters.
Let’s Connect
What does a Wealthy Life mean to you? Got F’s to add? Hit reply—I want to hear your thoughts and may share some in a future issue (with permission).
To your Wealthy Life,
— John