Today would’ve been my father’s 87th birthday.

Here’s the best piece of advice he ever gave me, the best advice I ever got:

“Do what you love doing with people you really care about at a place you really care about.”

“What about the money?” I asked. “If you take care of those first three things,” he told me, “the money will come.”

Your sweet spot is where your personal values (what you’re willing to do) intersect with your experience (what you can do) and your interests (what you want to do).

Finding your sweet spot is one of the most gratifying accomplishments you can experience. It’s also a key to driving accountability.

Before you can hold others accountable, you first must hold yourself accountable. And before you can hold yourself accountable, you first must know what matters most to you.

Hanging onto stuff that you don’t like hurts you, your colleagues and your organization. You are operating contrary to who you are and what drives you so it’s also stressful.

My father’s advice worked for me. And it turns out he was right about the money.

Happy birthday, Daddy.