Episode 244 - Level Up as a Dad - Premortems, Themes, and Micro-Sabbaths

Unlock 2026: Your 4-Part System for the Best Year Ever

Dads, imagine 2026 as the year you finally crush it—not just at work, but as the husband, father, and man your family deserves. No more January resolutions that fizzle by February. This isn't fluffy motivation; it's a battle-tested, science-backed framework from 25 years of studying peak performers. We're breaking it into four epic episodes on the Dad Space Podcast, diving deep so you can build a life of structure, momentum, and unbreakable drive.

In this intro, get the blueprint: Four Acts to design your breakthrough year. Act 1 builds clarity (regret reviews, premortems, themes, 90-day seasons). Act 2 creates structure (first-hour protection, 2-minute rule, shutdown rituals). Act 3 fuels motivation (85% rule, friction design, small wins). Act 4 drives renewal (challenge networks, to-don't lists, gratitude). Pick 2-3 tactics per act, stack them, and watch everything change. Free workbook in show notes—grab it now.

Over the next 4 episodes we will unpack:

1. Episode 1: Act 1 - Clarity
2. Episode 2: Act 2 - Structure
3. Episode 3: Act 3 - Motivation
4. Episode 4: Act 4 - Renewal

Questions This Series Answers for Dads

Here are the questions that we will be unpacking for Dad Space listeners—real-talk queries every father wrestles with:

1. How do I turn 2025 regrets into 2026 rocket fuel without beating myself up?
2. What's a premortem, and how does imagining failure now guarantee family wins later?
3. Why should I pick one word as my yearly theme, and how does it keep me focused amid dad chaos?
4. How do 90-day seasons beat vague New Year's goals for consistent progress?
5. Why protect your first morning hour like Fort Knox, and what deep work crushes dad distractions?
6. What's the 2-minute rule, and how does it clear mental fog for better parenting?
7. How does a Friday shutdown ritual free your weekends for real family time?
8. Why run a Sunday reset to make Mondays a launchpad, not a dread-fest?
9. How does mise en place (prep like a chef) make dad habits automatic?
10. Why walk 15 minutes daily, and how did it spark geniuses like Steve Jobs?
11. What's the 85% rule for goals, and how does it build unbreakable dad grit?
12. How do I rewire my brain to see discomfort as growth, not failure?
13. Friction hacks: Make bad habits (doom-scrolling) harder, good ones (workouts) easier—top 3 for dads?
14. Public promises: Who’s your one accountability bro, and why skip social media blasts?
15. Small wins ritual: Log 3 daily progresses—how it snowballs motivation for busy fathers?
16. Challenge network: Build 2-3 truth-tellers who call out your blind spots weekly.
17. Curate your circle: Dad trio of challenger, cheerleader, coach—who are yours?
18. To-don't list: Cut one energy vampire quarterly—what's yours for Q1 2026?
19. Micro-Sabbaths: 15 minutes of stillness—how it restores your dad brain daily?
20. 26 thank-you notes: One every two weeks—why it boosts happiness and family bonds?

Key Takeaway: Dads don't wait for perfect conditions. Build this 4-Act system now—clarity first, then structure, fuel, and renewal. Your family's future self thanks you.

Video link: If you want 2026 to be the best year of your life, please watch this video…

https://youtu.be/Q10H5RA3eCA?si=dwhjRHtPGuOiXXtb

Download Daniel's 2026 workbook for free: https://www.danpink.com/workbook

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https://dadspace.ca

music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Song: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270