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December 16, 2024 • 59min
How to plan an epic 2025, without setting goals | Jesse Itzler
My First Million
Jesse Itzler, successful entrepreneur and adventurer, joins Sam Parr and Shaan Puri to share his proven system for planning an epic year. Jesse has built and sold multiple companies including Zico Coconut Water and Marquee Jet (sold to Warren Buffett), is an ultra-marathoner, and balances an adventurous life with being a father of four. In this episode, he breaks down his exact process for closing out the current year strong and setting up the next year for maximum impact and fulfillment.
How to plan an epic 2025, without setting goals | Jesse Itzler
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Key Takeaways
- Three key elements for an epic 2025:
- Pick one big year-defining challenge (Musogi)
- Plan 6 mini-adventures throughout the year
- Add one winning habit each quarter
- Come into the new year "light" by decluttering physical spaces, emails, and mental baggage
- Write handwritten thank you letters to 20-30 people who impacted you this year
- Put the big rocks (important life experiences) on your calendar first before letting smaller commitments fill in the gaps
- Take 2-3 hours per day for yourself to show up better in all areas of life
- Don't wait to live an adventurous life - you don't need to be financially rich to be time rich
Introduction
Jesse Itzler, successful entrepreneur and adventurer, joins Sam Parr and Shaan Puri to share his proven system for planning an epic year. Jesse has built and sold multiple companies including Zico Coconut Water and Marquee Jet (sold to Warren Buffett), is an ultra-marathoner, and balances an adventurous life with being a father of four. In this episode, he breaks down his exact process for closing out the current year strong and setting up the next year for maximum impact and fulfillment.
Topics Discussed
Coming Into the New Year Light (1:15)
Jesse emphasizes the importance of starting the new year without baggage and clutter weighing you down. His process includes:
- Clean out your closet - donate anything not worn in 12 months
- Clear your desk of all papers and clutter
- Email bankruptcy - respond, file, or delete everything
- Unsubscribe from unnecessary subscriptions and delete unused apps
- Organize files for the new year
The Power of Handwritten Letters (7:56)
Jesse has been writing handwritten thank you letters for over 30 years and considers it a crucial practice:
- Write 20-30 letters to people who impacted you this year
- Include suppliers, contractors, teachers, coaches - anyone who helped you
- "People might not read their DMs, texts, slacks...but they read their letters"
- Shows intentionality and breaks through the clutter
- Creates lasting impact and memorable connections
Identify Your B-Minuses (14:03)
Jesse recommends doing a personal life audit using the "blender exercise":
- Put all life areas in a mental blender (health, relationships, finances, etc.)
- Rate overall life satisfaction on scale of 1-10
- Identify what's holding you back from a 10
- These become your focus areas for improvement
- "You're never going to be a 10 out of 10 if certain things are broken"
The Musogi Challenge (20:15)
Based on an ancient Japanese ritual, the Musogi is one big year-defining challenge:
- Examples include:
- Riding bike across America
- Running first marathon
- Writing a book
- Launching a company
- Creates something memorable to show for your year
- Provides structure and motivation
- Helps say no to distractions
- "When you have something on the calendar that's challenging, you show up at work and at home completely different"
Kevin's Rule - Six Mini Adventures (27:28)
Plan one mini-adventure every other month throughout the year:
- One day or weekend activities outside normal routine
- Could be fishing trips, camping, visiting friends
- Creates 6 memorable experiences annually
- Over 50 years = 300 mini adventures
- "If you can't take one day every eight weeks to do something different, your work-life is out of balance"
Adding Winning Habits (37:38)
Instead of New Year's resolutions, add one winning habit each quarter:
- Examples:
- Drinking 100oz water daily
- Never being late to meetings
- 10-minute daily meditation
- Morning stretching routine
- Focus on one habit for 90 days before adding next
- Compounds over time into major life improvements
- "We are a product of winning habits, winning routines, and a winning mindset"
Writing It Down (39:55)
Jesse emphasizes the importance of physical planning and visualization:
- Use a large wall calendar showing entire year
- Write down all major events first:
- School dates
- Family trips
- Date nights
- Quarterly getaways
- Review weekly schedule every Sunday night
- Transfer from digital to paper for better planning
- "If you don't plan it, it probably won't happen"
Don't Waste 2025 (49:50)
Jesse concludes with an urgent reminder about making the most of our limited time:
- We don't get many years and don't know how many we'll get
- Life circumstances can change instantly
- Some experiences have a "shelf life" - do them while you can
- Never the "perfect time" for adventure - must create it
- "Shame on you if you waste 2025 because you think 'I'll just do it the following year'"
Conclusion
Jesse Itzler provides a practical and inspiring framework for planning a meaningful and adventurous year. His three-part system of choosing a Musogi challenge, planning mini-adventures, and adding winning habits - combined with intentional planning and time management - creates a blueprint for living an epic life. The key is taking control of your calendar, prioritizing experiences over routine, and not waiting for the "perfect time" to pursue adventures. As Jesse emphasizes, we don't know how many years we have, so it's crucial to make each one count.