The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast
Episode Title: 10 Tools To Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet: Habits & Mindset Shifts Ft. Michael & Lauryn Bosstick
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick
Production: Dear Media
Introduction: Fixing the Studio Setup
The episode kicks off with Michael and Lauryn addressing a longstanding issue regarding their podcast studio setup. Michael humorously admits responsibility for the initial flawed design, which placed them higher than their guests, creating an unintended look of them "looking down" on guests.
Notable Quote:
Lauryn [02:51]: "They know they've been tearing us up because of the studio setup."
The couple explains that after years of consistent recording and limited downtime, they finally had the opportunity to redesign the studio during a trip to California. This adjustment aims to improve the visual dynamics of future episodes, ensuring a more balanced and engaging appearance for both hosts and guests.
10 Tools for Making 2025 Your Best Year Yet
1. Think Week
Michael introduces the concept of a "think week," a period dedicated to introspection and planning away from daily distractions. He emphasizes taking the first week of January, specifically January 2nd to 7th, as an ideal time when others are recovering from the holiday season.
Notable Quote:
Michael [05:07]: "I do a think week from the 2nd to the 7th, and I go over everything I want—all my intentions, all my goals, all my systems."
During this week, Michael reviews the past year, identifies areas for improvement, sets intentions, and outlines goals for the upcoming year. He journals his aspirations and folds his list to revisit at year-end, ensuring accountability and progress tracking.
Lauryn's Contribution: Lauryn concurs with the importance of creating space for reflection, noting that it enhances efficiency and effectiveness in personal and professional endeavors.
Lauryn [10:55]: "I have in my calendar. I know you have this too. Reading for an hour at night."
2. Create Space on Your Calendar
Lauryn highlights the significance of having open spaces in one's calendar to allocate time intentionally. She shares her journey from an overcommitted schedule to one that prioritizes essential activities, enabling her to focus on what truly matters.
Notable Quote:
Lauryn [07:03]: "I put away my Phone at 7:30. The phone's on airplane mode. It's off. I never bring it to bed."
Michael adds that creating space isn't about doing nothing but about filling that time with meaningful activities like writing, meditating, exercising, or spending quality time with family.
3. Pick a Theme for the Year
Michael discusses the "71 1" strategy, encouraging listeners to set an overarching theme for the year that aligns with their long-term goals. For example, his theme for 2025 is to become a "business beast," driving his actions and decisions throughout the year.
Notable Quote:
Michael [10:26]: "Pick a theme, do the 711 rule. That's how I would start every year."
He explains the breakdown:
- 7 Years: Long-term goals
- 1 Year: Annual objectives that contribute to the seven-year vision
- 1 Month: Monthly systems to achieve those yearly goals
Lauryn emphasizes the importance of adopting an identity that aligns with the chosen theme, facilitating consistency and dedication.
4. Audit the Past Year
Michael introduces the practice of conducting an annual audit to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. This introspective exercise helps in identifying successful habits and those that need adjustment or elimination.
Notable Quote:
Michael [26:18]: "You could create a T chart... what worked for me, and what didn't work for me."
Lauryn adds that auditing isn’t limited to personal habits but can extend to relationships, content creation, and professional endeavors, providing a comprehensive understanding of one’s progress and areas for improvement.
5. Set Purposeful Phone Boundaries
Lauryn addresses the pervasive issue of phone addiction, advocating for intentional usage boundaries to enhance presence and reduce distractions.
Notable Quote:
Lauryn [28:20]: "I want to put away my phone every single time I come home and spend uninterrupted, fully present time with them with my husband at the dinner table."
She shares her personal strategy of putting her phone on airplane mode by 7:30 PM and avoiding its use in bed to improve sleep quality and family interactions.
6. Adopt New Hobbies or Skills
Both hosts stress the importance of learning new hobbies or skills to foster personal growth and provide a mental break from routine stresses. Michael and Lauryn share their experience of taking up tennis and Pilates, respectively, highlighting how these activities have enriched their lives and strengthened their relationship.
Notable Quote:
Michael [32:06]: "It's a system that I call the 71 1... you create a goal list of what you want to happen in seven years."
Lauryn adds that engaging in new activities keeps the mind sharp and can prevent cognitive decline, as recommended by experts like Dr. Amen.
7. Commit to Consistent Reading
Lauryn underscores the benefits of daily reading, not just for knowledge acquisition but also for mental stimulation and relaxation. She shares her commitment to reading every night and diversifying her reading genres to broaden her perspective.
Notable Quote:
Lauryn [35:02]: "I want to keep my streak of reading every night, but I want to examine what I'm reading and make sure it's very broad."
Michael humorously interacts, emphasizing the value of diverse reading habits and their positive impact on intellectual growth.
8. Share Goals with a Support System
Michael advocates for sharing one’s goals and intentions with a trusted support system to enhance accountability. He explains that vocalizing goals helps in manifesting them and receiving the necessary support to stay on track.
Notable Quote:
Michael [40:29]: "You have to share these things with people that are going to hold you to account."
Lauryn, while agreeing, also cautions against over-sharing without actionable follow-through, stressing the need for a balance between talking and acting on one’s goals.
9. Implement a "More and Less" Chart
Lauryn introduces the "More and Less" chart, a simple yet effective tool for setting specific intentions about what to increase or decrease in the upcoming year. This granular approach helps in maintaining focus and clarity.
Notable Quote:
Lauryn [43:15]: "You can make a more and less... you write down everything in a very granular way. So it's not like broad things."
She suggests making the list as detailed as possible, even up to 50 items on each side, to provide a comprehensive roadmap for personal development.
10. Write Your Own Obituary and Live Accordingly
Michael concludes with a profound concept inspired by Charlie Munger: writing one’s own obituary to define the legacy one wishes to leave. By articulating desired traits and accomplishments, individuals can align their daily actions with their long-term aspirations.
Notable Quote:
Michael [47:26]: "If you were to write your own obituary... have you written yours? No. So I'll get to the point."
Lauryn emphasizes this practice as a way to consciously shape one’s identity and ensure that actions reflect the person one strives to become.
Conclusion: Embracing Intentional Living
As the episode wraps up, Michael and Lauryn reiterate the importance of intentional living through structured planning, self-auditing, and adopting supportive habits. They encourage listeners to implement these tools to make 2025 a transformative and fulfilling year.
Final Thoughts:
Lauryn [47:27]: "Happy New Year, everybody. Thank you for listening, watching."
The hosts leave listeners with a call to action to engage with their content on social media, participate in polls, and share their own strategies for personal growth, fostering a community of accountability and mutual support.
Key Takeaways:
- Introspection is Critical: Allocate dedicated time to reflect on past achievements and set clear intentions for the future.
- Intentional Scheduling: Create open spaces in your calendar for meaningful activities that align with your goals.
- Thematic Goal Setting: Define a yearly theme to guide your actions and decisions.
- Regular Audits: Continuously evaluate what works and adjust your habits accordingly.
- Healthy Tech Habits: Set boundaries to reduce distractions and improve quality of life.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in new hobbies or skills to foster growth and resilience.
- Consistent Reading: Develop a diverse reading habit to enhance knowledge and cognitive function.
- Community Support: Share your goals with a trusted network to maintain accountability.
- Detailed Planning: Use tools like "More and Less" charts to set specific and actionable intentions.
- Legacy Planning: Define your desired legacy to ensure your daily actions reflect your long-term aspirations.
By incorporating these tools, listeners can embark on a journey of self-improvement, ensuring that 2025 becomes a year of significant personal and professional growth.