✅ JANUARY HABITS

I am finally in a GROOVE when it comes to my daily habits. I started tracking in mid December to prepare myself for the new year.

Here are the 7 Habits:

1. Gratitude

2. Journal

3. Workout

4. Cold Plunge

5. Meditation

6. 10,000 Steps

7. Read

To me, some of these habits need to be executed EVERY day of the month - gratitude, journal & meditation.

The other four are “execute as much as possible”

Some days I have rest days, some days I don’t make it to the cold plunge and some days I don’t read.

Here’s how January went:

1. Gratitude - 23/31 - 74%

2. Journal - 17/31 - 55%

3. Workout - 16/31 - 52%

4. Cold Plunge - 19/31 - 61%

5. Meditation - 15/31 - 48%

6. 10,000 Steps - 22/31 - 71%

7. Read - 11/31 - 35%

As you can see, I wasn’t perfect OR anywhere near it. But I stayed pretty consistent.

The wildfires took an emotional toll on me for a good 10 days and I got stick for week shortly after.

Mark my words: these numbers will improve next month.

I told myself that in 2025 - If you don’t have data - you don’t know how well you performed and where you can improve. So I’m tracking my habits.

💡 PRO TIP: Keep your journal visible every single day. Whether on your night stand, kitchen table or reading chair. PLACE IT IN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE!

Cheers to February - a new month and a new chance to improve our habits!

📕 📗 📘 January Book - Better Decisions Faster by Paul Epstein

I started off the year with a book by a former colleague of mine, Paul Epstein. 

We spent time together back in 2010 while we were both at the New Orleans Hornets (they are now the New Orleans Pelicans) gosh I’m old.

From the Hornets, Paul went on to spend time with the San Fransisco 49ers, was a consultant to the NFL for Super Bowl 48, an award winning keynote speaker and recently went all in on his speaking, WIN MONDAY COMMUNITY and PODCAST.

In 2022, he wrote The Power of Playing Offense before writing Better Decisions Faster in 2024.

Here some favorite takeaways from the book:

HEAD 🧠 + HEART ❤️ = HANDS 👐 EQUATION

Head represents mindset (and logic)

Heart represents authenticity (and emotion)

Hand are the action (or inaction) that follow

“This equation is designed to inspire action by removing the pain and pressure of decision-making. You will find that when you are freed to make better, faster choices with conviction courage, the equation becomes the key to living on purpose rather than by default.” Epstein writes.

From there, Paul discusses the TRAFFIC LIGHT TEST 🚦 

Of course you have GREEN, YELLOW & RED LIGHTS

If your HEAD and HEART are on board for a decision, take action - THIS IS A GREEN LIGHT!

If your HEAD or HEART are not on board, solve for the gap efficiently, or don’t take action - THIS IS A YELLOW LIGHT

If neither are on board, take no action - RED LIGHT

The remaining 12 chapters highlight 4 concepts for each of the HEAD + HEART = HANDS equation.

HEAD 🧠 - Growth, Positivity, Grit, Curiosity

HEART ❤️ - Happiness, Gratitude, Authenticity, Passion

HANDS 👐 - Courage, Service, Excellence, Impact

Paul discusses each topic while injecting teachings he’s learned from colleagues, peers and guest from him WIN MONDAY PODCAST.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and will continue to use the 3H equation and Traffic Light Test to help me make Better Decisions Faster.

Follow Paul - Website / YouTube / LinkedIn / Instagram 

📹️ THE BEST PART OF MY WEEK 💝 

Due to wildfire and terrible air quality - my favorite Sunday run club has been canceled for the last 3 weeks.

Yesterday, we finally met.

We ran, hugged and gave each other space to discuss our LONGEST. MONTH. EVER.

Community heals ALL WOUNDS

💭 MY FINAL THOUGHT 💭 

Of course, weeks after the wildfires destroyed large parts of Los Angeles, The Grammy’s did their part to help the cause throughout the show last night.

During the commercial break, the first spot was donated to a local businesses that were affected by the fires. SUPER CLASSY MOVE.

They even has artists like Doja Cat, Charlie Pluthe and the Jonas Brothers join the commercials for some added star power.

I wish I could find a full list of the businesses, but I remember three of them.

Please consider following and shopping with these businesses.

@orlafloralstudio

@1rhythemsofthevillage

@loststuffyproject 

Go crush your week, Win Your Monday and Dodge the Norm!