As 2026 kicks off, my first instinct is the familiar one: sit down, and make the list: What do I need to fix? How do I level up as a professional? How do I show up better as a husband, and as a man?

But this year, I’m forcing myself to pause before the overhaul begins. I’m asking another question first—one that feels almost counterintuitive in our constant-optimization culture: What actually worked in 2025? What habits, routines, or small choices quietly compounded into real results in the areas that matter most—my health, my finances, my relationships with the people I love?

As I look back, I’m realizing these “wins” weren’t flashy. They didn’t come with dramatic announcements or viral productivity hacks. They were simple, repeatable things that brought steady progress… and, more importantly, peace.

And peace is the real tell. When something consistently reduces friction and increases calm, that’s a signal worth listening to. So before I rush to reinvent everything, I’m choosing to identify and protect what’s already working.

Here’s to a 2026 that builds on quiet strengths as much as it chases bold improvements. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Nurture it. Double down on it. Let it compound.

What about you? As you look back on 2025, what’s one thing that quietly worked—one habit or choice you plan to keep and protect this year?

I’d love to hear more about it in the comments or when we catch up later this month.