Golden Rule: Diagnose Cue and Reward

The Habits That Shape Your Destiny

What if the life you’re living right now is nothing more than a reflection of your habits—both the ones serving you and the ones sabotaging you? In this powerful mashup, I sit down with three of the sharpest minds in the world—Charles Duhigg, Coach Mike Bayer, and James Clear—to uncover the truth about habits, identity, and the small, daily choices that create extraordinary outcomes.

Charles Duhigg, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Power of Habit, breaks down how every habit runs on a simple loop—cue, routine, reward—and how you can rewire even your most stubborn patterns. He shares the golden rule of habit change and why being in control doesn’t mean eliminating a behavior, but transforming it into something that serves you.

Coach Mike Bayer takes us deep into his concept of living as your “Best Self.” In this conversation, I share my own best self exercise—Superman—and my anti-self—Richard Cabeza. We talk about how naming these identities can give you clarity, courage, and even humor in the middle of stress. This isn’t just theory; it’s a practical, life-changing tool you can use today with your family, your work, and yourself.

Then James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, drives it home with his groundbreaking philosophy: success isn’t about massive leaps, it’s about getting just 1% better every day. He explains the compounding effect of small improvements, why identity-based habits are the most powerful, and how the two-minute rule can help you master the art of showing up.

Every one of these conversations points back to one undeniable truth: you don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your habits. But the great news is—you can change them, starting today.

Key Takeaways:

• How to use the “cue-routine-reward” loop to rewire habits that no longer serve you (Charles Duhigg)

• Why naming your Best Self and your Anti-Self can instantly shift your mindset (Coach Mike Bayer)

• The compounding power of small improvements: why 1% better every day is life-changing (James Clear)

• Why habits aren’t just actions—they’re votes for your identity and future self

• The danger of stopping the very habits that created your success—and how to upgrade them instead

Your destiny isn’t shaped by what you do once—it’s forged in what you do daily. The smallest change can set you on the path to the biggest transformation of your life.

Also don't miss out on MAXOUT2026: Once a year, I open my home for an intimate one-day experience unlike anything else I do. This year, I’m making it even smaller—just 12 to 15 people. Together, we’ll dive deep into the exact strategies I use to plan, visualize, and design the best year of my life—and yours. If you’re ready to Max Out your future, join me at https://maxout2026.com for a life-changing day you’ll never forget.

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