Well, here we are in a brand new year - 2025. I trust all of you had a fun and safe holiday season. Every year at this time, millions of us make New Year's resolutions. Resolutions to get fit, eat right, read more books, start a hobby etc. Alas, most of those resolutions tend to lose their steam around February!
I can remember when we were back in the Bellevue, Washington area, we belonged to a fitness club called The Pro Sports Club. It is a fantastic place with great trainers and personnel. Come January, there was always a surge of new members, replete with their new workout clothes and shoes. They were determined to make the new year one in which they would work out regularly and, hit their fitness goals. Some stuck with it. Most didn't. Getting up early to work out seemed novel at the time but as the days wore on, many people left their resolutions in the dust. By March, it was back to normal at the club.
I don't really make resolutions per se. I simply think about ways that I want to improve myself during this next year. Those of you who have heard me speak before know that I believe in "continuous improvement." You have to keep striving to get better and better, every day, every week, every month, every year. The sword needs constant sharpening to maintain its effectiveness. So this year, I am going to try and improve myself via the following:
Daily Morning Routine
I started this last year by researching some morning routines adopted by various leaders and then looked at my own mental and physical goals to come up with a daily routine that would uplift me and, challenge me at the same time. So now, when I first get up, I pray. I pray about how many blessings God has given Janice, my wife, and me, and then go on to whatever prayer requests I have. Maybe it's a prayer to help a friend through cancer, or maybe someone else is looking for a job etc. I let the spirit take me to where I need to go in prayer. Right after that, I read "Our Daily Bread." A short online devotional that gets me reading scripture right off the bat.
Then I pull up a gratitude app where I can list three things I am grateful for this morning, what are the main goals I am trying to accomplish during the day and then write down words that subconsciously reinforce my desire to be better and do better. Words like "grateful," "present," "happy," "loved," and "healthy" often come to mind. In essence, I start the day with some spiritual awareness, especially gratitude. No matter how lousy the day ahead might be for you, you can always find something to be grateful for.
I then proceed to meditate. I do several five minute rounds of meditation using various apps to center myself and get my mind into a calm place. Breathing is an integral part of these meditations. After that, I then focus on the physical, doing pushups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and squats for a few minutes to get the blood going. Then, it is my daily cold plunge, usually at a temperature of 45 degrees. Brrrrrrr. This helps me both physically as well as mentally by testing my resilience. Anyone who cold plunges knows that it is going to suck and the hardest part is just getting into the plunge or cold water. I figure if I can withstand five minutes of cold water exposure at 45 degrees or lower, I can handle anything coming my way during the day.
Finally, I get at least five minutes of morning sun. Per experts like Dr. Andrew Huberman from Stanford, getting some morning sun through your eyes helps your body's natural circadian rhythm. Now, I am ready for the day.
Journaling
I have been journaling for quite some time now. But I am putting an emphasis on making sure I journal both in the morning and the evening. I use the "Daily Stoic Journal" to write down my thoughts in the morning and in the evening. This journal gives you prompts on what to write down. Maybe it's "describe what is in your control and what isn't in your control." Things like that, which provoke some thinking on my part. I find it gratifying to write things down.
My feelings, my failings, my intentions etc. Journaling has been used by many great leaders throughout history and I love it. I have promised myself to get better at the evening journaling. Sometimes I miss it since we have been out to dinner or an event and I forget about it. Now, I have a reminder on my calendar, reminding me to journal. In the evenings, it is about what things I have learned, what I can improve upon tomorrow etc. It kind of puts a cap on the day. Whether you use a paper or digital journal, give it a try!
Read a Book a Month
I have always been an avid reader. But in the last few years, my reading has been sporadic. Now, I want it to be more regular. As much a part of my life as a daily cold plunge. I've read one already and am shooting for two for January. All real leaders are readers. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, reading is something that is both pleasurable to the soul and mind, and also necessary. Keep your mind sharp and growing - read!
Being Present
We get pulled in so many different directions in our daily lives. Work, family, activities, social media, all are pulling at us for our attention. We are going around in life so fast that we lose sight of the present moment. How many times have I found myself looking at email while my two doggies are vying for my attention and I ignore them. Or I do the husband thing when Janice is talking to me and I am half listening. Or I am doing a reel in our backyard and have no perception of the beautiful mountains that surround our neighborhood.
This year, I am going to be more present. Tomorrow is not guaranteed to you. What you take for granted, you may lose tomorrow. So when I got outside now, I enjoy the mountains around us. I take a few minutes to put the phone down and play with the doggies. I am working on listening more and talking less. Being present is very important. It helps to center you and gives you many things to be grateful for. I did a stoic exercise two years ago when I went to our backyard for one half hour and practiced being present. Observing everything from the clouds in the sky, to the leaves blowing in the wind. So many sensations and sights I would normally miss, I made a point to focus on. It was glorious. And it taught me to learn to be present. This year, I want to take this to the next level. I want the ability to be present to be part of my DNA.
Sleep
Now, this should be a no brainer but it isn't. I realized last year that I wasn't getting enough sleep at night. Rather, it was my Oura ring that told me - smile. But getting enough sleep is essential for you to have the most productive day you can have. Especially for someone like me who gets up at 6 am to start the morning routine. So, I am going to bed earlier, no excuses, unless I/We are out at an event that goes past our stated bedtime. Everything I have read on sleep tells me that with adequate sleep, you can maximize both your mental and physical capabilities. Without it, you are at a distinct disadvantage. Get more sleep.
So, that's it. Short and sweet. But I believe doing these things will help me to improve all the time, challenging me to get better and better in all phases of my life. So whatever you call it, a resolution, or a promise to yourself, find those things that will make you a better person inside and out and go for it!
Here's to a fulfilling robust 2025!
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