Transcript:

I did quite a few videos when Lou was sick, I have only done one or two since then. I like the format; it’s a challenge to articulate my thoughts.

2025. Do I have a plan? I’m fleshing it out right now.

This overarching goal keeps me moving in the right direction: to teach my grandkids how to ski. I don’t mean fumbling around, moving slowly and endangering myself. I mean, showing the little munchkins how it’s done, skiing bumps, being agile, picking them up in an awkward position, hiking the backcountry, skiing all day and loving the moment. This distant goal lines up all of my habits, shaping who I am positively.

I have built a solid mental, physical, emotional and maybe even spiritual foundation in the last two years. I need to keep going with this momentum.

Reflecting on what I have learned and what I am doing that works for me, it’s in the small things. The aggregation of marginal gains (popularised by David Brailsford), and I wrote a blog post about this in August, is not just a concept but a transformative strategy for continuous improvement. It involves making minor, incremental improvements in various aspects of everything I do. The idea is that by making tiny improvements in multiple areas, the cumulative effect will significantly improve my life. This strategy, rather than seeking one breakthrough or a single significant change, focuses on the sum of many small changes that each contribute to me performing better in all areas and being a better person and, most importantly, a better dad.

Dave Brailsford’s Aggregation of Marginal Gains Strategy

I had a couple of wobbly months last year, mid-year. I loved how I accepted the dip and grew from it. Life is full of challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties that can disrupt our feelings of happiness. Personal losses, health issues, financial difficulties, and interpersonal conflicts are common occurrences that can trigger negative emotions. These experiences are part of the human condition and contribute to the rich tapestry of emotional diversity. The inevitability of encountering difficult situations is a normal part of life, making the idea of perpetual happiness unrealistic. It’s okay not to be okay all the time. I am at peace with this. 2025 will have some challenges and setbacks. Some may be major. I can’t predict them. I can’t worry about them. With the wisdom I have accumulated, I can only play the shot at the moment, how I see it, in real time.

Manage The Dip For There Will Be a Few

2025 is a time to remind myself that The Pursuit of Success Is Its Own Success. Emphasising the importance of effort and growth experienced while working towards success. This perspective values personal development, learning, and perseverance, implying that the process itself brings a form of success, regardless of the final outcome.

Early last year, in a May blog post, I looked in the review mirror at why I was feeling so good, perhaps the most balanced in up to 10 years. I detailed a large tapestry and multifaceted bunch of behaviours and the elements that make up an elevated level of base happiness, which I now have to keep rolling with.

The nine areas that I talked about were;
1. a mindset change
2. diet and nutrition
3. how I manage work
4. exercise and movement
5. not drinking alcohol
6. piling on new habits
7. how I handle relationships
8. my sleep
9. and practising mindfulness.

I won’t go into the details of all of these pillars. Maybe in another post, I would be here for a while. But focusing on these pillars daily has helped me manage my thoughts, emotions and reactions better than ever.

I’m Feeling Amazing | So What Is In The Feel Good Ingredients?

So, with the new year already in full flight. I need to remember that the world is full of difficult people, and I need to distinguish between what is within my control and what is not. As we know, challenges are inevitable, but our responses are up to us.

I will continue to build resilience by practising negative visualisation—imagine losing things I value (work, access to conveniences, even friends and family). This will help me appreciate what I have + prepare me for potential losses.

Keep reframing obstacles as opportunities to grow. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

I am well past my halfway point in life, so I must prioritise my health. I feel better today than when I was 35. I need to keep returning my body and mind to a younger state with lots of movement, exercise, nutritious food, and adequate sleep.

Keep up with gratitude. Gratitude will ground me in the present and foster contentment. Each day, reflect on what I am thankful for.

Memento Mori (“Remember you will die) – Life is very, very finite. Prioritise what matters most. Act in ways that benefit others, recognising that I am part of a larger whole.

I am going to navigate 2025 with clarity, strength, and purpose.

As my main man Marcus said, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”

In 2025, I will do my best to let happiness ensue; influenced by Victor Frankle, I will do my best to let happiness arrive by not caring about it but by doing all the small things that will return an upside result.

I wrote a definition of happiness in a blog post last July. Happiness is living a life consistent with your deepest values. It is not a destination but a continuous journey of personal growth and meaningful living. You strive for excellence in every interaction, consistently being the best version of yourself and meeting your highest potential. Doing your best in each moment eliminates regret and allows us to thrive with a clear conscience. Happiness is a life of virtuous activity in accordance with reason, cultivating wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. It is authentic and full of integrity. It is inner peace and resilience, regardless of external circumstances. It’s knowing and living your purpose. If you additionally contribute positively to society, you will be fulfilled. You will not only find satisfaction and contentment within yourself, but you will flourish; this is happiness.

Happiness | A Philosophical Perspective – Living A Life Of Virtuous Activity In Accordance With Reason

2025. I’ve got this.