Episode Overview

Title: Your Evening Routine Controls 87% of Tomorrow
Host: Tristan Ahumada
Podcast: Your Daily Real Estate Podcast
Episode: 764
Date: January 2, 2026
Main Theme:
In this concise, action-focused episode, Tristan Ahumada explores the essential role evening routines play in setting up real estate professionals (and anyone) for a productive, successful tomorrow. Using his "PREPARE" evening routine framework, Tristan demonstrates how small, intentional actions the night before have a powerful impact on work performance, mindset, and ongoing personal growth.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Power and Presence of Routines (00:00 - 02:00)

• Tristan opens with a story about interviewing a millionaire who claimed not to have a routine — but as the conversation progressed, it became clear that habitual behaviors and patterns were indeed present.
• Notable Quote:
  "Whether you think you have one. You actually do. You wake up, you do the thing that you do, and I want you to change it. I want it to be better for you."
  — Tristan Ahumada (01:30)
• Point: We all have routines, intentional or not; bringing awareness and intention to them creates better outcomes.
• Tristan emphasizes that improvement should often begin with our evening — not just morning — habits.

Introduction to the PREPARE Framework (02:00 - 03:20)

• Context: Tristan developed his evening routine method in 2019, emphasizing that what happens the night before sets up tomorrow’s success.
• The acronym PREPARE guides the process:
  • Plan
  • Review
  • Exercise
  • Play/Practice Gratitude
  • Affirmations
  • Reflect
  • Embrace

The PREPARE Evening Routine

P — Plan (03:21)

• Review tomorrow’s agenda and objectives.
• Address these questions:
  • Who do I need to show up as?
  • What do I need to prepare for?
  • Did anything change that requires extra attention?
• Example: Tristan recalls prepping for a difficult, knowledge-intensive conversation by planning in advance.
• Notable Quote:
  "Planning allows you to prepare better. I love taking a look at where I'm at. Who do I need to show up as and how prepared do I need to be on something that I may not know enough about at the time?"
  — Tristan Ahumada (04:05)

R — Review (04:50)

• Reflect on what was accomplished today.
• Consider improvements: Was there a missed message? An email left unanswered? Something you could have done better?
• Action Tip: List out what needs follow-up tomorrow.

E — Exercise (05:19)

• Do a short burst of physical activity to release endorphins and energize.
• Doesn't replace regular workouts; even 20 push-ups, jumping jacks, punching the air, or "air guitar" will do.
• Notable Quote:
  "Move around because it releases good chemicals in your body quickly so that you can go and settle down again and be like, got it. Oh, I moved. I loved it."
  — Tristan Ahumada (05:35)

P — Play / Practice Gratitude (06:02)

• Play: Allow yourself a brief moment of fun or joyful activity — listen to music, play guitar, do something spontaneous.
• Gratitude: Alternatively, reflect on what or who made your day better; congratulate and thank yourself for wins.
• Tristan leans more towards gratitude, inspired by past interviews, notably with P90X creator.
• Notable Quote:
  "Who did something today that made my life easier? Who should I reach out to to thank? ... What did I do today that maybe deserves a little bit of like, you know, a little bit rah rah on myself?"
  — Tristan Ahumada (07:04)

A — Affirmations (07:40)

• End the day with spoken or written truths/affirmations.
• Useful for tough days, creating positive self-talk, or focusing on moments of grace.
• Tip: Use tools like Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini to generate personalized affirmations.
• Notable Quote:
  "Sometimes I have tough days and I want to read something. These truths that I want to show up better, or truths about how I actually am good and have grace for just having a tough day."
  — Tristan Ahumada (08:00)

R — Reflect (08:55)

• Think about how you interacted with others.
• Did you speak kindly? Should you have been softer, more assertive, or more appreciative? Did you treat yourself kindly?
• Reflection can include text, email, calls, or in-person encounters.

E — Embrace (09:20)

• Consciously stop working; accept that not everything will get done.
• Transition to personal life — spend time with family, read, relax, play games.
• Notable Quote:
  "I often keep working and I forget to shut off. So this reminds me, hey, it's time to shut off. You're never going to finish everything that you need to do, Tristan. And you need to embrace the night, whenever that is."
  — Tristan Ahumada (09:32)

Memorable Moments & Key Quotes

• On the hidden nature of routines:
  "I realized, wait a second, this guy has a routine he's been doing for years. He just didn't formalize it and say it's a routine." (01:07)
• On gratitude:
  "I need to get into the right state to be grateful... That's a little process I have practicing gratitude." (07:20)
• On shutting off:
  "You're never going to finish everything that you need to do, Tristan. And you need to embrace the night, whenever that is." (09:35)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00 – 01:30: Story about the hidden routines of successful people
• 02:00 – 03:20: Importance of evening routines and intro to PREPARE
• 03:21 – 04:49: P: Plan
• 04:50 – 05:18: R: Review
• 05:19 – 06:01: E: Exercise
• 06:02 – 07:39: P: Play / Practice Gratitude
• 07:40 – 08:54: A: Affirmations
• 08:55 – 09:19: R: Reflect
• 09:20 – end: E: Embrace and final motivational thoughts

Closing Notes

• Tristan encourages listeners to message him on Instagram for a PDF of the routine ("PREPARE") and to have patience with replies.
• The next episode will cover morning routines, completing the two-part series on maximizing daily effectiveness through intentional habits.

"Have an awesome day."
— Tristan Ahumada (final words)