Summary of "My Habits Explained – DT 321" from Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

Release Date: March 17, 2025

In episode DT 321 of BuildWitt’s "Dirt Talk" podcast, host Aaron delves deep into the personal habits that have been instrumental in his journey toward success. Drawing from a decade-long process of habit formation, Aaron shares practical insights, experiences, and philosophies aimed at helping listeners cultivate effective routines. This detailed summary captures the essence of Aaron's discussions, highlighting key points, notable quotes with timestamps, and structured sections for easy understanding.

1. Introduction to Habit Formation

Aaron opens the episode by emphasizing the crucial role of habits in managing his demanding schedule. He states:

“The answer to how I do what I do and keep up with the schedule that I keep up with is rooted entirely in habits.” (00:03)

He reflects on a decade of consistent habit-building, which has led him to a place where he feels more accomplished and prepared for future challenges.

2. Early Influences and Foundations

Aaron attributes much of his disciplined nature to his upbringing and educational background. Growing up, he attended Phoenix Country Day School, a private institution that fostered an environment of high achievement. This exposure allowed him to observe and emulate the disciplined habits of high-achieving individuals from a young age.

“I saw exercise was very important with those I was around. So exercise became important for me.” (00:12)

This early foundation laid the groundwork for his later commitment to consistent habits like exercise, reading, and healthy eating.

3. The Impact of the 75 Hard Program

A pivotal moment in Aaron’s habit journey occurred in 2019 when he undertook the 75 Hard program by Andy Frisella. This program reinforced the value of incremental progress and daily commitment.

“It's not about grand slams. It's about incremental progress. It's about just swinging, getting on base.” (15:45)

Aaron explains how the program helped him understand the compounding effect of small, consistent actions over time, leading to substantial personal and professional growth.

4. Assigning a Purpose: The Importance of a 'Why'

Central to Aaron’s habit formation is the concept of assigning a "why" to each activity. This purpose-driven approach ensures sustained motivation, especially during challenging times.

“If you don't have a why, it's really hard to have a significant sense of discipline.” (28:30)

For Aaron, his overarching "why" is to build a great business and team that positively impacts the industry, driving him to maintain his disciplined habits.

5. Incremental Habit Building: A Decade of Consistency

Aaron advocates for building habits one at a time, highlighting the inefficacy of attempting multiple changes simultaneously.

“Start somewhere, don't start building a bunch all at once. It just doesn't work that way.” (35:10)

This methodical approach has allowed him to sustain and refine his habits over ten years, leading to long-term success and personal development.

6. Breakdown of Aaron’s Key Habits

a. Exercise: Non-Negotiable Daily Routine

Aaron’s commitment to daily exercise is unwavering. He exercises seven days a week, making it a non-negotiable part of his routine.

“I exercise every single day since 2019. I have not missed a single day. I will not miss a single day.” (42:15)

Whether it’s running, strength training, swimming, or cycling, Aaron ensures that movement is a consistent part of his day, enhancing both physical and mental well-being.

b. Reading: Continuous Learning

Maintaining a habit of reading at least 10 pages daily, Aaron often exceeds this amount, allowing him to read 15-20 books annually without feeling overwhelmed.

“I read to learn about what I want to learn about. It makes you a better communicator.” (55:20)

His focus on non-fiction literature aligns with his goals of personal and professional growth, ensuring that his reading time is both enjoyable and educational.

c. Writing: Daily Reflection

Aaron carries a small notebook to jot down one page of reflections each day. This practice helps him process daily experiences, acknowledge successes and setbacks, and plan for continuous improvement.

“It just takes really five minutes to just take a brief inventory as far as what the heck is happening.” (1:02:45)

d. Planning Days the Night Before: Structured Productivity

Each night, Aaron outlines his tasks and priorities for the next day, eliminating the uncertainty of “winging it.”

“I plan my days out. I review the day before the day happens and execute the list.” (1:10:30)

This habit ensures a focused and productive approach to daily objectives, enhancing overall efficiency.

e. Eating Well: Viewing Himself as an Athlete

Aaron adopts an athlete’s mentality towards his diet, prioritizing high-protein foods like beef, fish, and elk, supplemented with fruits, vegetables, and rice.

“Food is my fuel... I better eat top notch so that I can perform in a top notch manner.” (1:18:00)

He avoids processed foods and alcohol, recognizing that nutrition plays a pivotal role in his performance and well-being.

f. Avoiding Alcohol: Enhancing Physical and Mental Health

Since January 1, 2024, Aaron has abstained from alcohol, noting significant improvements in his physical health and mental clarity.

“I decided, you know what, I'm going to just rule this out. And it's been great.” (1:25:15)

This decision aligns with his commitment to optimizing his health and maintaining peak performance levels.

g. Making Bed and Keeping Tidy: Establishing Orderliness

Inspired by Admiral William McRaven and Jordan Peterson, Aaron emphasizes the importance of starting the day with simple tasks like making his bed.

“It’s cool to have something accomplished first thing in the morning.” (1:33:10)

Maintaining a tidy environment reduces mental clutter and fosters a sense of order, contributing to his overall effectiveness.

h. Good Sleep: Prioritizing Rest for Recovery

Ensuring seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night is non-negotiable for Aaron. He meticulously controls his sleep environment to maximize restfulness.

“Sleep is the foundation... I keep it cold, I keep it quiet, I keep it dark.” (1:40:05)

Even while traveling, Aaron adapts his schedule to maintain his sleep quality, understanding its critical role in recovery and performance.

i. Living Below Means: Financial Discipline

Aaron practices frugality by living in a modest studio apartment and avoiding unnecessary expenditures.

“I live below my means. It’s key to, to me making some of the decisions I've made along the way.” (1:47:30)

This financial discipline has enabled him to reinvest in his business and personal growth, laying a strong foundation for future success.

j. Mindful Consumption: Content and Media Intake

Aaron curates his media consumption to focus on content that educates and motivates him, minimizing distractions and negativity.

“I try to consume stuff that's gonna help me, that's gonna motivate me.” (1:55:20)

By limiting time on social media and choosing meaningful podcasts and documentaries, he ensures that his consumption aligns with his personal development goals.

k. New Habit: Reading the Bible

In the current year, Aaron has incorporated daily Bible reading into his routine, seeking to understand its historical and philosophical contexts without engaging in organized religious practices.

“I have never been all that religious... I wanted to learn and understand the Bible more.” (2:03:45)

This habit reflects his ongoing commitment to continuous learning and personal exploration.

7. Conclusion: The Power of Consistent, Incremental Habits

Aaron wraps up the episode by reiterating that the disciplined habits he has cultivated over the past ten years are the cornerstone of his success. These habits—ranging from daily exercise and reading to meticulous planning and mindful consumption—have collectively contributed to his personal growth and professional achievements.

“By making these little things non negotiable, I have made so much more progress over the past few years than I would have otherwise.” (2:10:30)

Aaron encourages listeners to adopt a similar approach, emphasizing that small, consistent actions can lead to extraordinary results over time.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. On the Importance of Habits:

   “The answer to how I do what I do and keep up with the schedule that I keep up with is rooted entirely in habits.” (00:03)

2. On Incremental Progress:

   “It's not about grand slams. It's about incremental progress. It's about just swinging, getting on base.” (15:45)

3. On Assigning a 'Why':

   “You have to assign a why to doing these things... Because a lot of days you're not gonna want to do it.” (28:30)

4. On Daily Exercise:

   “I exercise every single day since 2019. I have not missed a single day. I will not miss a single day.” (42:15)

5. On Daily Reading:

   “I read to learn about what I want to learn about. It makes you a better communicator.” (55:20)

6. On Daily Writing:

   “It just takes really five minutes to just take a brief inventory as far as what the heck is happening.” (1:02:45)

7. On Planning Ahead:

   “I plan my days out. I review the day before the day happens and execute the list.” (1:10:30)

8. On Avoiding Alcohol:

   “I decided, you know what, I'm going to just rule this out. And it's been great.” (1:25:15)

9. On Making the Bed:

   “It’s cool to have something accomplished first thing in the morning.” (1:33:10)

10. On Living Below Means:

    “I live below my means. It’s key to, to me making some of the decisions I've made along the way.” (1:47:30)

Final Thoughts

Aaron’s comprehensive breakdown of his habits offers listeners a blueprint for personal and professional growth. By adopting a disciplined approach to daily routines, setting clear purposes, and maintaining consistency, Aaron exemplifies how small, intentional actions can lead to significant achievements. This episode serves as an inspiring guide for anyone looking to enhance their own life through effective habit formation.

For more insights and discussions, listeners are encouraged to tune into future episodes of "Dirt Talk" and share their thoughts or questions at dirt talkillwood.com.