I love the symbolic, albeit arbitrary, reset that a new calendar year provides. Arbitrary because it’s based off contrived notions such as time and goals. As a systems thinker, it’s a chance to zoom out. Find the improvements with the highest return and design approaches and enact behaviors to make them happen.

Instead of carving up the year ahead in reaction mode, I prefer taking Tim Ferriss’ Past Year Review approach where you start reviewing how the current year went. Go week-by-week and note which calendar events gave you energy and those that took energy. You’ll find themes, nurture what’s working and adjust what’s not. Protect and increase time for energy-givers, and deflect the takers. It sounds tedious, but it goes quickly and can do wonders for your energy and happiness.

I also concoct intense challenges that put me in uncomfortable situations:

• Run a 5K.

• Avoid caffeine for 7 days (which turned into 30 days).

• Avoid alcohol for one year (this year!).

• Switch to Celsius (it’s just so much better).

• Reject switching clocks for daylight savings time. (Ah; the rebelliousness of college.)

• Cancel cell phone plan for 2 years. (Did you know I interviewed for Apple on an iPod touch over WiFi and Google Voice?)

• Learn and practice drums.

• Meditate in a Sanbo zen retreat for 1 week, roughly 10 hours of sitting per day.

• The Wim Hof Method / ice baths!

So what’s in store for 2026? I’ll let you know when I figure that out. What I do know is that my book is going live on Apple Books on January 1st!

New blog post: Reflecting on 18 years in training

In a turn of my career, I recently began a new chapter as a Trailhead Editor after an 18-year detour in training. To commemorate the moment and lessons learned along the way, check out my latest blog:

How to Get Started in Instructional Design and Become an Instructional Designer: AKA How I Did Something With My Liberal Arts Degree

Share with anyone that’s interested in the field and wants some tips for how to get started in it.

Vibe coding corner: My Mindful Box

What end-of-year newsletter would be complete without a little vibe coding project? Enter mine: The Mindful Box.

It’s simple. Add your daily screen time usage and project how much time you’ll spend on the device over the course of your life. This app, an offering back to you all from my journey into zen and zazen, might provoke more intentional use devices. It helps you delineate constructive and destructive habits, curate awareness, and revert control over your attention.

Is this not a good thing to pursue? 🙏 

Happy holidays and new year!

Take care,

rtn