From Chad

Commitment to initiatives and creations attracts providential assistance, as illustrated by W.H. Murray’s quote. Embrace your divine spark and take the first step, as God awaits your action.

The New Year Resolution Challenge encourages starting resolutions early to build momentum and strength. Commit to becoming the person you want to be, not just to specific habits or goals, and reinforce this commitment with positive self-talk.

Self-confidence and self-image are built on trust, which comes from predictability and keeping commitments. To improve self-image, follow through on your words and actions.

The most important relationship is with yourself. Are you a good friend to yourself?

You can fool others about your efforts, but not yourself. The only person who truly matters in your journey is you, and you must be honest with yourself about your progress.

Hope is a crucial virtue for flourishing, as evidenced by scientific research and its etymological connection to prosperity. To prosper in the new year, cultivate hope by holding on to possibilities, maintaining positive expectations, and learning from others’ experiences.

Algorithms, or “if-then” sequences, control our daily lives, from electronics to our behavior. Understanding and programming these algorithms wisely is crucial for achieving New Year’s resolutions and taking control of our lives.

Talent is not the key to success; strategy, systems, and training are. With the right approach, anyone can overcome perceived limitations and achieve their goals.

Jim Kwik, labeled the "boy with a broken brain” after a childhood accident, overcame learning difficulties through training and strategies. He now teaches others that life is a training game, not a talent game, and anyone can improve with the right systems and drills.

Start your day with a routine, even if the rest of the day is unpredictable. This will give you confidence and help you feel in control.

Routines, discipline, and predictability lead to contentment, which is a key driver of happiness. Tomorrow’s topic will be how to use “bookends” to establish routines.

Discipline is about controlling energy flow, not just about rules. Identify one area where you need to start, stop, or continue a discipline and take action today to build momentum for the new year.

Habits are powerful tools that can shape our lives, either positively or negatively. Starting a new habit, no matter how small, can lead to significant changes over time.

Getting enough sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being, as it improves memory, creativity, and mood. Prioritizing sleep, even if it means going to bed early, can lead to better performance and success in life.

Johann Hari’s book, *Stolen Focus*, explores how our environment is dissolving our attention. To reclaim focus and energy, we must create a world of focus, not just live in the one created by attention economics.

Incorporating a daily gratitude list, focusing on blessings and positive aspects of life, can significantly increase happiness and overall well-being. Expressing gratitude for what we have, are, give, love, and smile about can transform our attitude and outlook on life.

Stoic philosophy emphasizes emotional stillness but lacks peace, which is considered a gift from God. A recipe for peace involves celebrating blessings, asking for help, leaving concerns with God, and meditating on good things.

Problems are not inherently negative, but rather the way we respond to them shapes their impact. To gain perspective on our challenges, we can imagine them from a cosmic scale, such as the vastness of space, to realize their insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

Muhammad Ali’s approach to training, where he only counted sit-ups when they hurt, illustrates the principle that true growth and gain come from enduring pain and pressure.  This principle applies to various aspects of life, where discomfort often signifies progress and potential.

Turn problems into possibilities. Louis Waterman did.

Change is possible through action, starting with changing one’s perspective and taking the first step towards a goal. Embrace the power of movement and repetition to achieve success.

Self-talk is powerful and can be dangerous if negative. To improve self-talk, be mindful of inner dialogue, challenge negative thoughts, and practice positive affirmations.

Paulina Bandy, after 13 failed attempts, passed the California bar exam on her 14th try. Her determination and perseverance, despite significant sacrifices, serve as an inspiration. The message emphasizes the importance of continuous effort and never giving up, highlighting quotes from various successful individuals.

Life is not a talent game, but a strategy game.  Ashrita Furman, who holds over 800 Guinness World Records, exemplifies this by using strategies to overcome his lack of talent.  To achieve success, focus on developing systems and committing to training, rather than relying on innate ability.

Tom Brady, despite being sacked the most in NFL history, embodies the spirit of winning by getting back up after each setback. Winners, like Brady, demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of failure.