As we kick off the new year, I want to share a personal example to highlight something I talk about with everyone I work with: the power of intentionality, awareness, and aligning your pleasure pathways with your goals. Recently, someone close to me set a targeted body recomposition goal. After helping them define the associated standards, I decided to join them on this pursuit. What I didn’t expect was how insightful revisiting an old goal would be. For context, I operate with a personal standard of staying within six weeks of a body composition I feel proud of (no science here—just a mental framework that feels manageable and motivating). Over time, I’d been maintaining but found myself going through the motions. So, on New Year’s Eve, I put pen to paper, laid out my goal—0.5 lbs of weight loss per week to prioritize fat loss while preserving muscle—and set my standards: track both macro and micronutrients. Almost immediately, the process became eye-opening. Being in a caloric deficit is inherently uncomfortable—your body is quite literally using itself as fuel. However, instead of resisting the discomfort, I reframed it. That little tug of hunger after dinner isn’t just a signal to eat—it’s a signal of progress. It reminds me I’m on track to hit my goal. And with that awareness, I can shift my craving from short-term pleasure (a high-calorie snack) to long-term results. These split-instant moments—when you choose discomfort aligned with your standards over fleeting comfort—are what separate success from failure. They stack up over time, whether you’re pursuing a personal goal, closing a loop with a client, perfecting a proposal, or communicating with your partner. Until you develop the awareness to recognize these moments as they happen, they’ll pass you by. The beauty of aligning pleasure pathways with your goals is that you can apply this framework to any area of your life. When your standards and behaviours sync with a meaningful outcome, the process itself becomes rewarding, and you’ll find yourself pulled toward success instead of constantly pushing through resistance. |
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"If I had tried everything I ever wanted to, I never would have accomplished anything big. Narrow your focus to your most important dreams and tune everything else out." - Brad Jacobs |
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Health Driven Leadership Mark Zuckerberg Fighting the Good Fight |
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Mark Zuckerberg’s approach to exercise holds lessons for all of us. His routine emphasizes three critical elements: These aren’t just habits; they’re a strategy for achieving mental and emotional release. This release creates the space to be present, focused, and aware of those split-instant moments that define success. I can relate to the need for that release. When I don’t have a challenging outlet—something that takes my full attention—I feel the difference in my focus and decision-making. Whether it’s a physical challenge, an intense hobby, or friendly competition, these practices are not just distractions; they’re tools for showing up better in every other area of life. |
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The Business of Performance Lessons from Brad Jacobs |
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This week, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of diving into a study, I want to spotlight Brad Jacobs, a leader whose story is an example of achieving both personal and professional excellence. Jacobs attributes his success to three foundational principles: The Power of the Mind: He emphasizes clarity of thought, aligning your daily habits with long-term outcomes, and finding enjoyment in the journey—not just the results. Building the Right Team: Jacobs prioritizes hiring based on personal attributes rather than just resumes. The four personality traits he screens for are: Intelligence, hunger, integrity and collegiality. This is awesome! Creating the Right Environment: Jacobs is all about open communication. He prides himself in structuring meetings that push discourse and candour and entry level employees have an open line of communication with him via email. Since I sit at the intersection of sports and business, I can’t unsee the parallels between Jacobs’ approach and what drives success in athletics. Clear mind, clear goals, the right people, and an environment built for excellence—it’s the foundation of every winning team. Just as a championship team thrives on structured communication, trust, and alignment, Jacobs applies these same principles to his businesses, optimizing both performance and culture. |
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Book of the Week How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs |
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I know I just spotlighted Brad Jacobs above, but if you’re serious about leveling up this year, do yourself a favour: go buy this book. This isn’t your typical business read. Jacobs provides actionable strategies and tools that feel both tangible and transformative. Some highlights include: Focus on Process: Success isn’t a lucky break; it’s the result of disciplined systems and clear goals. Invest in People: The right team amplifies your potential. Jacobs’ hiring philosophy emphasizes attributes over credentials. Enjoy the Journey: Burnout isn’t sustainable. Finding joy in the process is just as important as achieving the outcome.
If you’re looking to build a strong foundation for personal or professional success, this book is a must-read. |
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Performance Soundbite Rewiring Your Pleasure Pathways |
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Here’s how you can start reshaping your pleasure pathways: Define Your Ideal Outcome: Be specific about what success looks and feels like. Visualize Success: Picture yourself achieving it. What emotions will you feel? Pause and Reframe: When faced with behaviours that don’t align with your goal, take a moment. Remind yourself of what you’re working toward. Choose Progress: Each decision is a chance to reinforce your commitment.
Over time, this practice rewires your brain to crave alignment and progress, making success not just a goal but a natural outcome of your daily habits. |
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The better aligned your pleasure pathways are with your goals, the more your aspirations will pull you forward. Instead of pushing through discomfort or resistance, you’ll find yourself naturally drawn toward success. This year, focus on creating systems that make your goals inevitable. Recognize the split-instant moments, reframe challenges as progress, and watch how your intentionality transforms everything you do. Here’s to a year of growth, awareness, and aligned success! |
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