Humble and Handsome, Meet Tim Schmidt

If you believe the adage: nothing significant is ever accomplished alone, you will understand why Tim Schmidt is my partner on the What Really Works signature book. Together, we share a passion for pursuing a life balanced by the Seven Fs: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Friends, Fun and Future. Tim is one of those people who is almost too good to be true – tall, dark, handsome…and when I’m in his presence I find myself wanting to be a better human being.

From very humble beginnings, Tim spent eleven years from age 6 to 16 living with his missionary parents and siblings in Hong Kong. Today as a successful executive with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, he leads a handsome life that is reminiscent of that two-bedroom apartment in Hong Kong. He and Jeanette routinely create special moments for family and friends including guitar-playing, intimate dinners, games and “how was your day?” storytelling. But most significantly, the Schmidts make visitors feel like the most important people in the zip code.

Earlier this week, Tim and I met at his home for editorial planning. We easily could worked while admiring the 18th hole of Chaska Town Course from the picture window in their living room. Instead we descended to the basement and poured the contents of our files all over the basement ping pong table.

Whatever happens with this book, I think I will always remember that basement roll-up-your-sleeves, think-out-loud, hold-each-other-accountable meeting in the basement. We stood eye to eye, circled round and round that table and wrestled with one of our dreams. It was all seven of the Fs in play at once: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Friends, Fun and Future.