January’s Almost Over, What Have You Actually Done?

The fireworks are gone. The adrenaline has faded. Now what?

Coach checking in for the doers, the drifters, and everyone in between.

January is a funny month.

It starts with fireworks, declarations, clean notebooks, and big promises.
By week two, the crowds thin.
By week three, the novelty fades.
And by the end of the month…well, this is where most years quietly go back to looking exactly like the last one.

So let me ask you, without judgment, without shame, without fluff:

What have you actually done so far?

Not what you intended.
Not what you posted.
Not what you said you’d do.

What actions did you take when the excitement wore off and real life walked back into the room?

This isn’t a call-out. It’s a call forward.

If You’ve Been Crushing It, Good.

If you’ve trained consistently, improved your meals, tightened your sleep, hydrated, studied, or stayed on task, acknowledge it. Seriously.

Most people bulldoze past their wins because they’re only looking at the finish line.

Momentum comes from noticing wins you’ve already earned, not from shaming yourself for what you haven’t done yet.

Ask yourself:

What felt easier this month than it did in December?
What habits took root?
What systems actually worked?

Double down on those. Improve them by 3-5%. Consistency compounds, but only if you stay in motion. Research shows that habit change sticks when you focus on repetition rather than willpower or motivation (Duhigg, 2012; Clear, 2018).

If You Started Strong and Fell Off, Perfect. This Is the Real Starting Line.

Falling off isn’t failure. Staying off is.

January tricks a lot of people, new routine, new inspiration, new energy. But no one transforms because of inspiration. People transform because of repetition.

So, simply readjust:

Pick one habit to recommit to.
Do it for seven days, not 365. Then do it for seven more.
Let success scale upward from there.

You don’t need a “new year.” You need a new decision.

Make one today.

If You Haven’t Started at All, Good. There’s No Better Time Than Now

Some people begin late.
Some people begin twice.
Some people begin only when they finally get tired of their own excuses.

If that’s you, welcome. You’re right on time.

Start small:

A 10-minute walk, with 10 bodyweight squats every other minute.
A protein-forward breakfast.
2 minutes of breathing before stress hits.
Read one chapter of a book that helps you grow.

A small habit done every day beats a perfect plan that never leaves the notebook.

January Doesn’t Define Your Year, Your Next Step Does

The year isn’t won in January. It’s won in the quiet, unglamorous grind of February, March, April and beyond.

When no one is cheering, and no adrenaline is left.

Discipline isn’t loud.
Progress isn’t dramatic.
Success isn’t cinematic.

It’s boring.
It’s repetitive.
And it’s earned.

But here’s the truth: If you’re still trying, you’re still in the fight.

The people who win aren’t the ones who never fall short.
They’re the ones who look up at the end of January and say:

“Okay… now let’s really get to work.”

Quick Takeaway

January was practice. February is execution.

Whatever your month looked like, great, messy, inconsistent, or nonexistent, the only question worth answering is:

What will you do next?

Not someday.
Not when conditions are perfect.
Not when life slows down.

The year isn’t over. It’s just beginning, one small step at a time. Always remember: discipline will be there when motivation fades. Put it to good use.

Now, get after it!

Security Without Pessimism: The Forgotten Factor – Physical Security in a Digital World

The Door We Forgot to Lock

We’ve built firewalls as strong as fortresses.
Encrypted everything that moves.
Multi-factored ourselves into oblivion.

And then someone leaves their laptop open at a coffee shop. Or walks away from a conference table with a session still active. Or prints sensitive data and tosses it in the trash can.

This is the paradox of modern security: we protect our digital data but overlook simple, everyday risks. Physical security is still important. We just don’t talk about it as much anymore.

What “Digital-Only” Security Misses

When we hear “security breach,” we usually think of hackers or malware. However, physical security mistakes can cause real harm, sometimes even faster than a cyberattack.

Here’s what slips through:

Leaving devices unattended: logged in, open, and easy for someone to take.
Shoulder surfing: someone quietly reading your screen over your shoulder on a plane or in a shared workspace.
Lost or stolen hardware: phones, drives, or tablets that still have cached credentials.
Shared spaces: whiteboards covered with client data or passwords written down temporarily.

The problem isn’t that we don’t know better; it’s just habit. We secure our digital accounts but often leave physical spaces unprotected.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

People react most to what they can see, like a phishing email or a warning message on their screen.

But physical threats often go unnoticed because they seem so normal.

Most people don’t worry when someone glances at their laptop screen in an airport lounge or when they leave their badge on the desk. This is called familiarity fatigue. When something becomes routine, we stop seeing it as a risk.

Attackers rely on this kind of oversight.

Where Security Actually Breaks

Physical security mistakes don’t look dramatic. They just look like everyday life.

Leaving a laptop open during lunch.
Traveling with client data on a USB.
Propping open a badge-secured door “for convenience.”

These actions aren’t intentional; they’re simply small mistakes. Each one seems minor, but together they add up. Because these mistakes happen in everyday situations, they rarely make the news.

But in many breach reports, these are often the first step.

Practical Habits That Actually Stick

You don’t need to completely change your security setup. You just need to be more aware of your surroundings.

Here’s what helps:

Lock your screens, not just the doors. Even if you step away for a few seconds, lock it.
Be alert in public places. If you’re working remotely, try to sit with your back to a wall.
Don’t leave devices unattended. Treat your laptop and phone like your passport; always keep them with you.
A clean desk helps you stay focused. Don’t leave sensitive notes on sticky pads.
Practice Badge discipline. It’s not paranoia; it’s protocol.

Security isn’t just about policies. It’s about your daily habits and routines.

The Quiet Kind of Accountability – Always Culture Over Blame

Physical security isn’t exciting, so people often overlook it. But teams that pay attention to it usually do better than those that don’t.

Instead of blaming people, make good security habits normal:

Make “lock check” part of stand-ups.
Reward awareness, not just detection.
Model the habits yourself.

It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about being aware, knowing your surroundings, what’s open, and who might be watching.

Final Thought

Digital security protects your entire network infrastructure, but physical security protects what’s happening right now. Password managers, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication don’t help if someone takes a device that’s still logged in. So pay attention to your surroundings. Sometimes, the real threat isn’t in your inbox, it’s right next to you.

This isn’t about creating fear. It’s about being more mindful of your daily habits and routines.

Iraqis will ‘not shed tears’ for 2003 invasion architect

Iraqis say they won’t be mourning death of former US secretary of state who oversaw catastrophic invasion of their country

‘He lied’: Iraqis still blame Powell for role in Iraq war

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and ZEINA KARAM

“It’s crucial to remember just how important Colin Powell was to selling the Iraq War, and how deliberately he used his public credibility to boost the lies that pushed us into the war. That is his biggest legacy.”

Meet Representative Elaine Luria, Chowderhead

The Virginia Democrat wants Congress to give the president the authority to go to war with China. Because the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was such a shining success.

By Andrew J. Bacevich