I just finished coaching a youth wrestling season, and one thing stood out to me more than anything else: how powerful a mindset shift can be. Wrestling is intimidating—especially for first-time kids. It’s one of the few sports where you’re out there alone, facing fear head-on.
From the first day of practice, I tell my wrestlers this: I don’t care if you win or lose. All I ask is that you give your full effort and try to get a little better every day. When the focus stays on results, the pressure becomes overwhelming. But when we shift the focus to effort, the fear starts to fade.
I’ve watched kids at their lowest and their highest, and the ones who grow the most aren’t the ones who win every match—they’re the ones who show up, give everything they have, and keep coming back to improve.
That lesson goes far beyond sports. When something scares you, stop measuring success by the outcome. Focus on effort. Do your best in the moment, and suddenly what once felt impossible becomes attainable. The results will follow.
Gratefully,
Spence (February 2026)
One day back in 2022, Spencer said in a staff meeting, “I want to think of a way to make billing a little nicer for our clients. Nobody likes to open a bill, especially for architectural services.” And thus, Spencerisms were born. That’s an internal name we initially gave these short notes Spencer writes to our clients each month, if they receive a bill. The name stuck, only because we couldn’t think of anything else that fit. We hope you’ll enjoy these bits of encouragement (or simple thoughts) Spencer shares each month.