Financial leader and advisor trainer encourages individuals to think less about hustle and more about structure

Arizona, US, 28th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, After two decades leading nationally recognized advisory firms and coaching financial professionals across the country, Joshua D. Mellberg is raising awareness for a growing problem: professionals are burned out, reactive, and mistaking activity for progress. His message? Fix the system first.

“Most people don’t need more motivation. They need a better framework,” Mellberg says. “If your days are built on reacting to emails and meetings, you’ll always be behind. But if you can build a system that works without you, everything changes.”

Mellberg knows this firsthand. As founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial, he scaled the firm to seven straight years on the Inc. 5000 list before stepping back in 2020. His new venture, Secure Investment Management, has already earned back-to-back Inc. 5000 placements in 2024 and 2025, thanks to what Mellberg calls “intentional systems, not endless effort.”

He follows a method rooted in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), breaking his day into three categories: boulders (major priorities), rocks (short-term goals), and pebbles (minor tasks). “If the big things don’t get scheduled first,” he says, “they won’t get done.”

Why It Matters Now

According to a 2023 study by Asana, 74% of professionals say they work reactively most of the time. Nearly 60% report spending more time on process than on meaningful output. Burnout is on the rise across industries — especially among entrepreneurs and advisors.

Mellberg’s advice is simple but powerful: block time to think, and protect your schedule like a valuable asset.

“I write down three priorities at the end of each workday,” he explains. “It’s a small thing, but it stops me from waking up and immediately reacting. You need space to zoom out.”

That philosophy extends to teams. At SIM, advisors aren’t handed vague goals — they’re given playbooks, metrics, and training frameworks designed to empower independent success. “It’s not about doing more,” Mellberg says. “It’s about creating conditions where better decisions get made.”

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Mellberg points to a mistake he made early in his career: “We grew too fast without the systems to support it. Our marketing outpaced our delivery. It hurt client trust, and we had to slow down and rebuild.”

It’s a common issue. Fast growth often exposes weak infrastructure. Without proactive systems, businesses rely on brute force, leading to team burnout, client churn, and missed opportunities.

His advice to founders and professionals today:

• Plan tomorrow before today ends

• Build tools that replicate success

• Don’t be afraid to slow down to fix broken processes

For Individuals, Not Just Companies

Mellberg isn’t launching a product or asking for donations. His call to action is personal: build your own system. Whether you’re leading a company, running a household, or starting your career, you can improve your outcomes by planning with intention.

“Start small,” he says. “Write down your top three priorities tonight. Schedule time to think — not just do. And if you’re leading others, build a system that helps them succeed without guessing.”

Mellberg credits much of his progress to surrounding himself with outside advisors. “I keep a few people close who will challenge my thinking,” he says. “You can’t grow inside an echo chamber.”

About Joshua D. Mellberg:

Joshua D. Mellberg is the President & CEO of Secure Investment Management and founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial. He has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry and has trained thousands of advisors across the country. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife and son and is a long-time member of YPO Scottsdale.

Key Stats

• 74% of professionals say their workday is mostly reactive (Asana, 2023)

• 60% report they spend more time on processes than actual work output

• Burnout now affects more than 52% of small business owners (CNBC, 2024)

Companies with clearly defined systems and KPIs are 58% more likely to hit growth goals (McKinsey, 2022)

Financial leader and advisor trainer encourages individuals to think less about hustle and more about structure

Arizona, US, 28th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, After two decades leading nationally recognized advisory firms and coaching financial professionals across the country, Joshua D. Mellberg is raising awareness for a growing problem: professionals are burned out, reactive, and mistaking activity for progress. His message? Fix the system first.

“Most people don’t need more motivation. They need a better framework,” Mellberg says. “If your days are built on reacting to emails and meetings, you’ll always be behind. But if you can build a system that works without you, everything changes.”

Mellberg knows this firsthand. As founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial, he scaled the firm to seven straight years on the Inc. 5000 list before stepping back in 2020. His new venture, Secure Investment Management, has already earned back-to-back Inc. 5000 placements in 2024 and 2025, thanks to what Mellberg calls “intentional systems, not endless effort.”

He follows a method rooted in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), breaking his day into three categories: boulders (major priorities), rocks (short-term goals), and pebbles (minor tasks). “If the big things don’t get scheduled first,” he says, “they won’t get done.”

Why It Matters Now

According to a 2023 study by Asana, 74% of professionals say they work reactively most of the time. Nearly 60% report spending more time on process than on meaningful output. Burnout is on the rise across industries — especially among entrepreneurs and advisors.

Mellberg’s advice is simple but powerful: block time to think, and protect your schedule like a valuable asset.

“I write down three priorities at the end of each workday,” he explains. “It’s a small thing, but it stops me from waking up and immediately reacting. You need space to zoom out.”

That philosophy extends to teams. At SIM, advisors aren’t handed vague goals — they’re given playbooks, metrics, and training frameworks designed to empower independent success. “It’s not about doing more,” Mellberg says. “It’s about creating conditions where better decisions get made.”

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Mellberg points to a mistake he made early in his career: “We grew too fast without the systems to support it. Our marketing outpaced our delivery. It hurt client trust, and we had to slow down and rebuild.”

It’s a common issue. Fast growth often exposes weak infrastructure. Without proactive systems, businesses rely on brute force, leading to team burnout, client churn, and missed opportunities.

His advice to founders and professionals today:

• Plan tomorrow before today ends

• Build tools that replicate success

• Don’t be afraid to slow down to fix broken processes

For Individuals, Not Just Companies

Mellberg isn’t launching a product or asking for donations. His call to action is personal: build your own system. Whether you’re leading a company, running a household, or starting your career, you can improve your outcomes by planning with intention.

“Start small,” he says. “Write down your top three priorities tonight. Schedule time to think — not just do. And if you’re leading others, build a system that helps them succeed without guessing.”

Mellberg credits much of his progress to surrounding himself with outside advisors. “I keep a few people close who will challenge my thinking,” he says. “You can’t grow inside an echo chamber.”

About Joshua D. Mellberg:

Joshua D. Mellberg is the President & CEO of Secure Investment Management and founder of J.D. Mellberg Financial. He has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry and has trained thousands of advisors across the country. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife and son and is a long-time member of YPO Scottsdale.

Key Stats

• 74% of professionals say their workday is mostly reactive (Asana, 2023)

• 60% report they spend more time on processes than actual work output

• Burnout now affects more than 52% of small business owners (CNBC, 2024)

Companies with clearly defined systems and KPIs are 58% more likely to hit growth goals (McKinsey, 2022)

Veteran Electrician Urges Canadians to Support Education, Mentorship, and Equal Opportunity in the Trades

Ontario, Canada, 28th October 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Red Seal–certified electrician Tania-Joy Bartlett is calling on Canadians to take action in building more inclusive, respectful, and confident workplaces across the skilled trades. After more than a decade working as an Electrician, Bartlett is using her experience to encourage others—especially women and young people—to pursue trades careers with purpose and courage.

“Being a woman in the trades means proving yourself every single day,” Bartlett says. “You can’t always change people’s bias overnight, but you can outwork it. You can learn more, train harder, and lead by example.”

Across Canada, women make up less than 5% of construction and electrical trades workers, according to Statistics Canada (2024). Bartlett believes that number will only grow if communities focus on mentorship, safety, and confidence-building programs—not just hiring quotas.

“When I speak at schools, I meet students who never imagined themselves in this kind of work,” she says. “But when they see someone who looks like them wiring a control panel or managing a crew, it changes what they think is possible.”

Bartlett’s message goes beyond gender. Her advocacy centers on building respect for all tradespeople, improving safety culture, and creating workplaces where every skill is valued. Having earned more than 25 community awards, including recognition from Junior Achievement for youth mentorship, she continues to show that leadership can come from the ground up.

“I tell apprentices, ‘Don’t fake confidence—earn it,’” she explains. “It starts with preparation. Learn your craft, ask questions, and hold yourself to a standard that no one else can take away from you.”

Her journey wasn’t without challenges. When she wasn’t accepted at a past employer, she built her own contracting company that prioritized equality and safety. Though the business eventually closed, Bartlett says the lessons from that experience became the foundation for her next chapter.

“That time tested me,” she says. “It taught me that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about responsibility. Even when things fall apart, you can rebuild stronger.”

Bartlett’s call to action is simple: help change the conversation. She encourages individuals, schools, and companies to take three small but meaningful steps:

1. Share stories of tradespeople in your community to challenge old stereotypes.

2. Support mentorship by volunteering with local youth or trade awareness programs.

3. Invest in education, whether through continuing courses, scholarships, or safety training.

“Success isn’t about proving yourself anymore,” Bartlett says. “It’s about peace of mind—knowing you’ve done your best and that others feel safe and respected working beside you.”

She hopes that by telling her story, others will find the courage to take their own first step—whether that’s picking up a new tool, taking a certification course, or simply believing they belong.

“Fear means you care,” she adds. “But you can’t wait until you feel ready. Start now. Learn one thing today that gets you closer to where you want to be.”

To support inclusive trade education and mentorship in your community, consider volunteering with programs like Junior Achievement Canada, Skills Ontario, or your local trade apprenticeship network. Change starts with awareness—but it lasts through action.

About Tania-Joy Bartlett

Tania-Joy Bartlett is a 309A Construction and Maintenance Electrician with Ontario Power Generation. Based in Omemee, Ontario, she holds multiple safety and leadership certifications and has received over 25 awards for her volunteer and advocacy work promoting equality in the trades. She regularly mentors apprentices and speaks to schools about confidence, education, and opportunity in skilled professions.