Most of us make plans as though we have plenty of time. We work hard, build something meaningful, and imagine a season when we can finally slow down and enjoy it.

But what happens when that timeline becomes uncertain?

In Episode 47 of the 100X Podcast, Griff Jones shares how a cancer diagnosis changed the way he and his wife, Mindy, approach family, generosity, and the years ahead. Their response became a simple family motto: “We’re going to plan for 10 and we’re going to pray for 30.”

It is a practical way to live with uncertainty while holding on to hope. And its usefulness reaches well beyond a health crisis.

When the future becomes personal

Griff was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October 2020. He describes the experience honestly: it was emotional, and it shook him.

Before the diagnosis, he and Mindy had already been thinking carefully about what they wanted their lives to look like. They had made significant commitments to giving through their foundation and were trying to make decisions with purpose.

That preparation gave them something to draw on when life changed. It did not remove the fear or uncertainty. It helped them consider how to move forward.

With his pastor’s help, Griff began praying through the road ahead. The family motto grew out of those conversations, becoming a guide for decisions about how they would spend their time, use their resources, and care for one another.

Giving family time a place on the calendar

One of Griff’s biggest decisions was to retire. He felt the company was in a strong position, with a capable management team, and wanted to make more room for Mindy and their family.

He recognizes that retirement after a diagnosis is not an option everyone has. For him, it was an opportunity to act on a priority he had long claimed was important.

That distinction is familiar. We can say family matters while giving it whatever time remains after everything else. Griff’s diagnosis prompted him to make that time a central part of his life.

He and Mindy began taking adventures together, traveling, spending time with friends, and staying involved with their church and ministries. Experiences they might once have postponed became part of the present.

Griff also shares that healthy friends have heard his motto and wondered why they could not use it themselves. We do not have to wait for difficult news to ask whether our calendars reflect what we value.

Passing on experience through mentoring

The conversation also turns to mentoring young Christian entrepreneurs. Griff and the host discuss the value of connecting experienced leaders with younger people building businesses with a ministry purpose.

There is something encouraging about that picture. Years of experience can continue to serve others after a leader steps back from daily business responsibilities.

A conversation, an introduction, or a thoughtful question can help someone make a better decision. Mentoring offers a way to put hard-earned lessons to work in another person’s life.

Letting the next generation find its own path

For Griff, legacy is deeply connected to the people his children are becoming. He speaks warmly about their values, their relationships, and their growing interest in giving.

He and Mindy have chosen greater transparency with their children about family resources and future plans. That openness comes from confidence in their maturity, alongside an understanding that they need to discover their own paths.

One smaller detail carries its own lesson. When a giving opportunity involves public recognition, Griff has learned to put Mindy’s name first. He shares that the choice made a particular impression on his daughter.

Family members notice those things. The way we honor a spouse, respond to hardship, and make everyday decisions becomes part of what we pass on.

A question worth asking now

Griff’s story leaves listeners with a useful question: What would change if we treated our time as something precious today?

Perhaps there is a relationship that needs more attention, an experience we keep postponing, or a younger leader who could benefit from our time. Perhaps our family needs a clearer conversation about what matters most.

“Plan for 10 and pray for 30” gives Griff and Mindy a way to make thoughtful plans while trusting God with a future they cannot control. It also invites the rest of us to consider how we are living with the time already in our hands.

Listen to Episode 47 of the 100X Podcast for the full conversation with Griff Jones about faith, family, mentoring, and generosity.