Value of Doing Hard Things Early

Most people will enter 2026 hoping life just gets better. Jesse Itzler knows that’s not how real change happens. In today’s episode, Jesse breaks down the three simple rules he follows every year to guarantee it doesn’t slip by.

He explains why change has to start before January, how locking in the right priorities forces everything else off your calendar, and why more hustle isn’t the answer in 2026. If you want a year that actually feels different — and you want a plan you can stick to — this episode shows you how.

Jesse Itzler is an entrepreneur, author, endurance athlete, former rapper, and part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks. He is the author of two books, Living With A Seal where he lived and trained with David Goggins for 31 days. His other book is Living with the Monks where he lived with an isolated religious community in the mountains of upstate New York. He co-founded Marquis Jet, helped build ZICO Coconut Water, and created the viral New Year planning tool called the “Big Ass Calendar”. 

Plan 2026 using the Big Ass Calendar that Jesse created: https://thebigasscalendar.com/

Check out Jesse’s books: 

• Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training With The Toughest Man on the Planet
• Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus

Follow Jesse on Instagram, YouTube, and X @JesseItzler 

Make 2026 the year where you finally bring yourself closer to living your best life. No more waiting. Demand the best for yourself. The Daily Stoic New Year New You challenge begins January 1, 2026. Learn more and sign up today at dailystoic.com/challenge.

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