It Was Never Dull: Chris Jordan on Living Life With Intention

The Power of Six Words

Sometimes the biggest shifts in our lives come from the smallest details. For Chris Jordan, it was six simple words carved into his grandfather’s headstone: It was never dull.

He first saw the phrase as a kid, tagging along on a cemetery visit with his family. At the time, he didn’t fully grasp the weight of it. But as the years went on, those words began to stick. They became less of a description of someone else’s life and more of a guidepost for his own.

Chris told me, “Every time I’ve had to make a decision, I think about those words. What would the ‘never dull’ path look like?”

That small reflection has shaped everything from dropping out of college to leaving comfortable situations to building a business around creativity and care.

Choosing the Nontraditional Path

Most of us are raised to follow a script: go to school, get the degree, land the safe job, keep climbing. Chris stepped away from that track early. He dropped out of college and pursued opportunities in the film industry, even when it meant moving to New York without a clear safety net. Later, he and his wife packed up again to live closer to family in Kansas, far away from the creative hustle of the city.

At first glance, these choices might look like detours or even setbacks. But Chris sees them as necessary turns that aligned with his values. Each move was a conscious effort to live in a way that wasn’t dull, even if it meant stepping into uncertainty.

It reminded me of how often we mistake comfort for meaning. Chris’s story shows that the most rewarding choices rarely feel like the safest ones.

The Weight of Encouragement

One thing that struck me during our conversation was how Chris describes his role in the lives of others. He calls himself a hype man, and he means it sincerely. He finds joy in hearing about someone’s dream and reminding them it’s possible.

He told me about moments when a simple conversation with him gave someone the push to make a bold move, like leaving a job or signing a client. He doesn’t take credit for their success, but he recognizes the power of encouragement.

In truth, we all need those voices in our lives. People who remind us that fear doesn’t have to run the show. People who remind us that our stories matter. And when we take the time to encourage someone else, we often end up encouraging ourselves in the process.

Redefining “Never Dull”

What I loved most about Chris’s perspective is that “never dull” doesn’t mean constant adventure. It doesn’t mean life is always glamorous or easy. He acknowledged that much of his day-to-day involves working from home with his wife and their five cats. That may sound ordinary, but for Chris, it still meets the mark.

Why? Because dullness isn’t about a lack of excitement. It’s about a lack of intention.

A life that is “never dull” is one where choices are made with care. It’s a life where risk is taken not for the thrill of it, but because it aligns with who you want to be. It’s a life where even the quiet moments feel meaningful because they were chosen, not just accepted.

That perspective resonated deeply with me. I know I’ve spent years making decisions out of fear or obligation. Chris’s story reminded me that even small mantras can pull us back to alignment.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Chris never got to meet his grandfather. Yet those six words on a headstone became a legacy he carries forward. They remind him to ask the hard questions when faced with a fork in the road. They remind him that life’s value is measured less in status and more in stories.

And now, by sharing his mantra, Chris is offering that same legacy to others. It left me thinking about what words I would want etched at the end of my own story.

If you want to hear the full conversation with Chris Jordan, you can listen to it on The Life Shift Podcast at www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com.