Podcast Summary: Build with Leila Hormozi
Episode Title: The Tiny Habits Behind My Big Wins | Ep 284
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Host: Leila Hormozi
In Episode 284 of Build with Leila Hormozi, titled "The Tiny Habits Behind My Big Wins," Leila Hormozi delves into the microhabits that have significantly contributed to her remarkable success. Drawing from her personal experiences and daily routines, Leila shares practical strategies that listeners can adopt to enhance their productivity, emotional well-being, and relationships. This detailed summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the episode.
1. Deep Belly Breathing for Emotional Regulation
Timestamp: [00:00] – [06:30]
Leila begins by emphasizing the importance of deep belly breathing as a powerful tool for emotional regulation and decision-making. She describes her technique:
- Method: Place one hand on the chest and the other on the stomach. Inhale deeply to about 75% capacity and exhale as long as possible.
- Routine: Conducted once or twice daily, typically in the morning and evening, integrated into her calendar to ensure consistency.
Notable Quote:
"It's like a five-minute habit that instantly makes me feel calmer, I feel clearer, I feel more control, and I feel like I get to move through my day with more poise." – [01:45]
Benefits Discussed:
- Enhances emotional stability during hectic days filled with meetings and high-stress situations.
- Prevents reactive behaviors, such as yelling or becoming overly emotional.
- Improves physical health by alleviating muscle tightness and digestive issues related to shallow breathing.
2. Walk Hacking for Productivity and Creativity
Timestamp: [06:31] – [13:50]
Leila introduces the concept of walk hacking, a habit that combines walking with productive tasks to maximize efficiency and creativity.
- Rationale: Walking has been linked to longevity, with studies showing that individuals who walk six or more miles daily tend to live longer.
- Implementation: She walks six miles every morning, utilizing this time to listen to books, write memos, create meetings, or record podcasts.
- Modern Adaptation: In the city, she employs a treadmill desk to continue her walk hacking without the constraints of outdoor walking.
Notable Quote:
"What I've actually found is that now when I walk is actually the time where my creativity is the highest." – [09:20]
Benefits Discussed:
- Combines physical exercise with business productivity.
- Enhances creative thinking, making it easier to ideate and solve problems while in motion.
- Provides a structured yet flexible way to work towards both health and business goals simultaneously.
3. Daily Connection Through Reflection and Messaging
Timestamp: [13:51] – [20:15]
Leila highlights the significance of maintaining strong relationships through a simple daily habit:
- Habit: At the end of each day, she reflects on interactions and notable events, then sends quick, thoughtful texts to friends, family, and team members.
- Method: Uses her calendar to recall daily occurrences, enabling her to send genuine messages without needing to multitask during the day.
Notable Quote:
"This 30-second habit improves every relationship in my life." – [16:10]
Benefits Discussed:
- Reinforces personal and professional relationships even amidst a busy schedule.
- Creates a positive culture within her team by consistently acknowledging their efforts.
- Prevents neglect of important relationships by integrating intentional connectivity into her routine.
4. The Power of a 20-Second Hug
Timestamp: [20:16] – [25:30]
Leila shares a heartwarming habit that fosters emotional connection:
- Habit: Hugging loved ones for at least 20 seconds each day.
- Implementation: She and her husband have made it a ritual every morning during their elevator ride, extending it to other loved ones as appropriate.
Notable Quote:
"I think there's a difference between doing a short little hug that feels like he. He butt out. And like a big hug where you really embrace somebody and make them feel, like, warm and comforted." – [23:05]
Benefits Discussed:
- Reduces stress and increases happiness through the release of oxytocin.
- Strengthens emotional bonds with family and friends.
- Serves as a daily reminder of what truly matters amidst a fast-paced life.
5. Weekly Planning for Enhanced Productivity
Timestamp: [25:31] – [35:00]
Leila underscores the importance of proactive weekly planning to maximize productivity:
- Habit: Every Sunday, she schedules her entire week, blocking out time for meetings, workouts, rest, breathing exercises, projects, dinners, and personal activities.
- Philosophy: Front-loading decision-making reduces daily stress and prevents energy waste on indecision.
Notable Quote:
"Listen, if your week isn't planned by Sunday, you have already lost the week." – [29:50]
Benefits Discussed:
- Separates decision-making from execution, enhancing focus and reducing stress.
- Ensures that priorities are addressed by scheduling important tasks around existing commitments.
- Minimizes daily indecision, allowing for a more structured and efficient workflow.
6. Evening Routine: Eating Three Hours Before Bed
Timestamp: [35:01] – [43:00]
Leila concludes with her evening habit that boosts her physical and mental well-being:
- Habit: Avoid eating within three hours of bedtime.
- Reasoning: Proper digestion before sleep leads to better sleep quality and higher energy levels during the day.
Notable Quote:
"I get worse quality sleep if I don't stop myself and take that break." – [38:30]
Benefits Discussed:
- Enhances sleep quality by allowing the body to focus on restoration rather than digestion.
- Supports fitness and health goals by regulating eating patterns.
- Increases daily energy levels, contributing to optimal performance.
Conclusion: Embracing Personalized Microhabits
Leila wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to experiment with these microhabits and tailor them to their personal lives. She emphasizes that while these habits have worked for her, individual results may vary, and it's crucial to find what best supports one's unique lifestyle and goals.
Final Thoughts: "I am not telling you how to live your life. I'm just sharing what works for me. I suggest that you test things out, you try them, you see what works for you and you do. You figure out what works for you." – End of Episode
Leila's insightful discussion on microhabits offers a blueprint for achieving substantial success through small, consistent actions. By integrating these habits into daily routines, listeners can foster emotional balance, enhance productivity, and build stronger relationships, paving the way for personal and professional growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Consistency in Small Actions: Tiny habits, when performed consistently, can lead to significant outcomes.
- Emotional and Physical Well-being: Practices like deep breathing and mindful eating support overall health.
- Structured Productivity: Proactive planning and integrating tasks into daily routines enhance efficiency.
- Strengthening Relationships: Simple gestures like sending thoughtful messages and hugging can deepen connections.
Leila Hormozi's episode serves as an inspiring guide for anyone seeking to build an unshakeable business and a fulfilling life through the power of microhabits.
