Small Shifts, Big Impacts
How a Bedtime Reminder Shift Supercharged My Mornings
New year, new you. We’ve all heard it and often we feel pressure to make big, sweeping changes to have big, sweeping gains. But sometimes all it takes is a small change.
I wake up at 4 AM. That might sound intense (and not this isn’t some David Goggins, “you must have got this from working with the SEAL teams things), but it’s a habit I developed when my youngest kids were babies. Back then, I was desperate to wake up and start my day without the chaos of a crying baby and an exhausted wife hitting me to get the baby. I started by moving my wake-up time earlier in small increments—15 minutes here, 30 minutes there. Some how the kids always knew and would wake up earlier. Before I knew it, I was waking up at 4 AM. The kids are older, sleeping later, but I’m still up early.
Why? Because that early morning time became sacred. It’s when I workout, meditate, do my daily Hebrew lessons, read, and prep breakfast and lunch for the family. It’s my time to start the day on my terms. But there was a problem: for years, I wasn’t adjusting my bedtime to match. I’d stay up late, usually watching TV, and then wake up exhausted. The cycle was brutal. I needed caffeine just to function, my workouts suffered, and I’d struggle to stay awake while reading or working in the middle of the day.
Then Apple introduced a bedtime reminder. It’s a simple feature that gives you a nudge when it’s time to wind down and puts your phone into sleep mode to minimize distractions. One day, I decided to take that reminder seriously. I moved my bedtime up by 30 minutes. That one small change? Total game changer.
The Mental Shift
When the bedtime reminder popped up, I’d glance at my watch and start wrapping things up. If I was still working or mindlessly scrolling, I’d finish up quickly and put my phone away. Even though I still fall asleep watching TV (something I’m working on), the simple act of acknowledging that bedtime reminder created a mental shift. It signaled to me that it was time to prioritize rest. My mind and body followed this cue.
The result, like all good things, took some time. However, I started waking up feeling more rested and less groggy. I didn’t need to rely on as much caffeine, my workouts improved, I was sharper at work, and I had more energy to be present with my family. It’s amazing how something as small as moving bedtime by 30 minutes can ripple through your life.
The Domino Effect
Here’s where it gets interesting: that single change set off a chain reaction.
Morning Clarity: With better sleep, I woke up sharper and more intentional. My mornings felt calm and productive instead of rushed and chaotic.
Consistency: When my mornings started well, the rest of my day followed suit. I made better choices—from how I spent my time to how I showed up for my family.
Energy: The extra recovery didn’t just show up in how I felt; it showed up in what I could do. My workouts were stronger, I had more patience, and I felt more creative.
It’s like a domino effect. One small push—moving my bedtime—knocked over a whole string of positive changes in my life.
The Bigger Lesson
What this experience taught me is that big results don’t always require big changes. Sometimes, it’s about finding the little adjustments that make a difference. For me, the bedtime reminder wasn’t just about sleep. It was about creating the conditions for success: better recovery, clearer mornings, and more intentional living.
Think about your own routines. Is there a small tweak you could make that might set the table for something bigger? Maybe it’s adjusting your bedtime, swapping evening screen time for a book, or carving out a few minutes for mindfulness. Whatever it is, don’t underestimate the power of small shifts. They can create a ripple effect that transforms your days.
In the end, it’s not about waking up earlier or sleeping longer. It’s about waking up to the potential that even the smallest changes can unlock. For me, it all started with a bedtime reminder—and it’s made all the difference.
Pages, Screens, and Streams: Optimizing Through "Who Not How"
I’ve been reading "Who Not How" by Dan Sullivan, and it’s completely shifted the way I approach productivity and teamwork. The book’s core message is simple but powerful: stop asking, “How can I do this?” and start asking, “Who can help me achieve this?” It’s about leveraging the strengths of others to free yourself up for what you do best.
This idea resonated deeply with me. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of optimizing not just systems but also people—whether it’s hiring the right person, assigning tasks to the teammate best suited for the job, or even leaning into tools like AI to handle repetitive tasks. The goal is to create space for you to operate at your highest level.
A friend from my Navy days recently reached out to start mentoring calls. He wanted guidance as he transitions into a new phase of his career. I’m thrilled to share my experiences and help him along that path. But here’s the thing—this isn’t a one-sided exchange. He’s highly skilled in coding and no-code automation, areas where I am not. He is building his own personal advisory board to maximize his efforts. I’m thrilled to be a part of it, but you better believe I’m going to find a way to utilize this relationship to make myself better as well.
Optimized and Energized: Fun with Tools and Tech
In a world where artificial intelligence keeps pushing boundaries, it’s not just about finding tools that make us more efficient—it’s also about having a little fun along the way. Lately, I’ve been diving into some emerging tech that’s both fascinating and, in some cases, surprisingly useful. Sometimes, it’s about optimizing workflows; other times, it’s just about seeing what’s possible.
One standout tool I stumbled upon recently is Kling AI. It takes still photos and adds movement to them, bringing static memories to life. I tried it out with a 10-year-old honeymoon photo of my wife and me in Spain. Normally my wife is not very impressed with new things like this or things I do in general. This was one she even admitted was cool.
The video it created from that old image felt like it made it come alive—like stepping back in time for a moment. Do I have a business application for this right now? Not really. But it’s a reminder that staying curious and exploring new tech can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
Experimenting with tools like Kling AI keeps me sharp and informed about what’s out there. Whether it’s something that revolutionizes operations or just sparks creativity, staying on top of tech trends ensures I’m ready for whatever opportunities come my way. As the saying goes, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” And in our line of work, where adaptability and innovation are essential, understanding these advancements is part of the job.
Whether it’s fun tech experiments or thoughtful strategies, it’s all about staying energized and prepared. Let’s keep exploring—who knows what we’ll discover next?
Thriving Through the Miles: Finding Balance in Fitness and Life
Anyone who has followed me on LinkedIn for any amount of time knows how I feel about my Tonal. It’s been a fantastic tool, helping me stay in shape since retiring from the Navy. I love the convenience and versatility it offers. But last week, while traveling, I found myself in an old-school gym surrounded by free weights. It was a throwback to the days when free weights were my go-to, and I decided to dive back in.
Lifting free weights again was like riding a bike—it felt natural, but also unfamiliar in some ways. I quickly noticed the differences between using cables and body weight versus free weights. After just one session, I was sore in places I hadn’t felt in years. That soreness was a reminder that even when you think you’re in great shape, there’s always room for growth if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.
This experience reinforced a broader lesson: variety is key. Whether it’s in fitness, business, or personal growth, trying new things keeps us sharp. Complacency—doing the same thing over and over—can cause plateaus. But when we embrace change and challenge ourselves with something different, we’re often rewarded with unexpected gains.
In our professional lives, the same principle applies. It might mean exploring a new strategy, implementing an innovative tool, or simply looking at a challenge from a fresh perspective. The willingness to adapt and evolve is what drives progress, and it’s a mindset I strive to embody in all aspects of life.
So, whether it’s trying a new workout or exploring new opportunities in business, don’t be afraid to shake things up. Growth often comes from the places we least expect.
Maybe it is because I am reading about progress and creativity that I am surprised to read about the idea of small changes lead to big achievements. It seems like a no-brainer but clearly it isn’t because I read about this concept at least once per week.
Do you think that the hack your success volume is louder than the small steps volume? Is it because we have become a society of instant gratification that we don’t want to do the work anymore?