The Line

I’m going to launch a 6-month cohort in January for men who no longer want to drift, but want to be a part of a community in the journey. We’ll meet monthly (virtual) to talk through content, frameworks, and accountability. You will also have the opportunity for 1:1 time each month. I’m limiting this to 10 people We have several incredible men already committed. $150/mo or $750 up front. Reply to this email if you are interested or in.

I was working with a college football team last month and the head coach said something that stuck with me.

"We have a very talented group. We’ve done some good things. But all of that changes if we allow ourselves to live below the line these last few weeks. The standard doesn’t change."

Above the line: Great effort. Positive attitude. Accountability. Connection. Showing up even when it's hard.

Below the line: Excuses. Negativity. Blaming. Gossip. Doing just enough to get by.

He said great teams aren't built on the guys with the most ability. They're built on the guys who consistently stay above the line.

True for football teams, true for organizations, true for us as men.

Most men drift because they don't have a line - a clear standard that they refuse to live below or compromise on. So when things get hard, when motivation fades, when life gets busy, they drift below the line.

They tell themselves "I'll get back to it" or "this week's just tough" or "I deserve a break." And slowly, below the line becomes their new normal.

The line isn't about being perfect. It's not about never having a bad day. It's about having a standard you protect. A minimum you won't compromise on.

I can’t tell you what your line is, but I do know that you need one. And you need to define behaviors that are above and below it.

As Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s, put it, “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves."

And when you're below it? You know. You feel it. That's when you choose. Do you stay below and let The Drift continue to win? Or do you get back above the line and stay there?

That's what the NO DRIFT community is about. Men who live above the line. Who have standards they protect. Who refuse to settle. Who stay locked in on the vision. One of the reasons I love the idea of the line is that it is clear and objective. And clarity is a catalyst for awareness and better decisions. “Is this behavior above or below the line?” Easy to answer. “If it’s below the line, what behavior would be above the line?” Again, easy to answer.

If you noticed, I even changed the NO DRIFT logo to the line - instead of the compass. Just in time for Christmas, I created some gear around this idea. A simple reminder that you're a man who lives above the line. Check it out if you want.

But more important than the merch: What's your line?

As 2025 comes to an end, take some time to reflect and plan. What's the standard you refuse to drop below? What does living above the line look like for you in 2026? What’s your plan to stay above the line?

Choose.

For you,
Kevin

P.S. I'm working on the NO DRIFT Weekly Standard - a system for men who want to take control back. Before it's finished, I created a Weekly Scorecard as a free test. Want to try it and give feedback? Just reply.

Thanks for reading this. Share it with anybody you think would find it useful. And as a reminder, NO DRIFT is not mine it is ours. I want to know what you think, what you want to hear about, what you are learning. All feedback is welcomed.