(Not Louder. Just Better.)
I saw a viral video from Jesse Itzler recently that stuck with me way longer than most “life advice” clips do.
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t extreme.
It was simple, practical, and honestly… doable.
He shared three ideas that made me stop and think: if I actually followed these in 2026, the year would feel fuller without being chaotic.
So that’s the plan.
1. Do One Extremely Hard Thing in 2026
(The Misogi Challenge)
Once this year, I’m committing to one thing that feels genuinely hard.
Not busy. Not uncomfortable. Hard.
Something that scares me a little. Something I won’t talk myself into casually. Something that stretches me enough that I’ll remember it years from now.
One thing. Once in 2026.
That’s enough to change how a year feels.
2. Plan Six Mini Adventures in 2026
(Kevin’s Rule)
This is the one I’m most excited about.
Kevin’s Rule is simple: plan six mini adventures a year, one every two months.
January. March. May. July. September. November.
They don’t need to be big. They don’t need to be expensive. They just need to be new.
Once it’s on the calendar, it stops being a “we should do something fun sometime” thought and becomes a real moment you’re moving toward.
The only rules:
- Keep it local
- Keep it affordable
- Prioritize novelty over perfection
Some ideas I’m pulling from:
- A local festival or a polar plunge
- Wild swimming in a nearby lake
- A cooking class or pottery workshop
- A night hike or unfamiliar trail
- Exploring a nearby town I’ve never actually explored
- Trying kayaking or paddleboarding
None of this is dramatic. That’s the point.
3. Add One New Habit Every Three Months
Not a full reset. Not a January overhaul.
Just one new habit every three months.
Four habits total in 2026.
Enough time to let something stick before adding anything else. Sustainable instead of overwhelming.
Why This Feels Right for 2026
I like this framework because it quietly builds what I think of as a life resume.
Not achievements. Experiences.
It fights monotony.
It adds anticipation.
It makes your calendar feel intentional instead of reactive.
Your routine might stay mostly the same. Your memories won’t.
How I’m Personally Using This in 2026
I’m not trying to optimize my life this year. I’m trying to experience it more on purpose.
I want my calendar to hold more than meetings and reminders. I want it to hold moments I chose.
Six mini adventures feels realistic.
One hard challenge feels brave.
One habit at a time feels sustainable.
That feels like a good way to approach 2026.
If you try even one of these, I think it counts.
If you plan all six mini adventures? I think your year already wins.
