Good morning, friends!

In a previous edition of The Profile, I asked you all the following question: “Do you have a daily habit that has completely transformed your life?”

The reason I asked is because I am trying to get a better handle on any sort of routine. As you can imagine, mine is all over the place right now. I have priorities but no real routine. So your answers were really helpful in shaping one that sticks throughout the new year.

Below, I’ve highlighted four reader routines that are relatively easy to put into practice. I hope they motivate you to create your own in 2024:

For discovering your purpose:

“For analytical minds, it can be hard to come up with a 'purpose' because they're so used to there always being a 'correct' answer to questions. Some of the best advice I've seen in finding one's purpose are to:

1. Remember, you can change the purpose at any point

2. Look back on your memories and write down things you enjoyed doing, then group these items to look for common themes (h/t Oprah)

3. Do what you like, don't do what you don't like, and do it in an environment of growth (h/t Gretchen Rubin). ‘Think and Grow Rich’ is one of the best reads for this phase of personal development work.”

— P.P.

For getting your mind right:

“I'm really enjoying walking 30 minutes in nature. The rules are simple: No phone and as deep in nature as I can get. No buildings, just woods or sea. Not sure if it's been life changing but it's definitely been noticeable. Things get hectic very quickly with 3 kids, work, spouse, commitments and it's nice to carve out a little alone time.”

— B.T.

For developing a positive outlook:

“My daily habit that has helped me over the last few years is verbalizing. Every month I sit down and write who I am, the person I want to continue to be, things I am grateful for, and a quote/philosophy that has resonated with me. Then every morning I read this out aloud. From month to month, some aspects might change but overall the core stays the same.

“This habit has helped me create a positive internal environment and acts as a reminder of all the things that have made my life great. On the days I am already feeling good, this is a great addition but on the days I might not feel that good, this is a great pick-me-up, a reminder to look at what makes life great, to remember ‘This too shall pass’ so embrace life for everything it has to offer the good with the bad.”

— J.S.

For maintaining healthy long-term relationships:

“Since we have worked together for 25 years, [my spouse and I] have also created habits to keep our relationship strong and keep our business/personal lives focused and directed. As a result, we schedule quarterly (personal) offsites (yes, we use white boards). And we created ‘Surprise Day,’ where we alternate every month by surprising each other with an unexpected activity, and we put a $1,000 limit on the activity. Creativity is more important than expense.”

— C.R.

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PROFILES.

— The entrepreneur transforming into a motivational speaker [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The Spice Girl who stays in control
— The R.E.M. frontman reinventing himself
— The celebrity we loved to hate
— The rapper making peace with the past

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

The entrepreneur transforming into a motivational speaker: You know Jesse Itzler as an ultra-athlete, the co-founder of Marquis Jet, and the husband of Spanx founder Sara Blakely. Now, he has grand plans to become a world-known motivational speaker with offerings such as webinars, an online calendar club, coaching programs, retreats, and a nationwide speaking tour. This is a very good profile of Itzler and the self-help industry as a whole. (The New Yorker)

“If you want to have an exceptional life, you have to put yourself in exceptional situations.”

The Spice Girl who stays in control: The world was first introduced to Victoria Beckham in 1996, when she was Posh Spice. In 1999, she married David Beckham and the duo became a worldwide sensation. Instead of fading into a world of obscurity, she got to work and eventually transformed into Victoria Beckham, fashion designer. This profile attempts to answer the question: Who is the real person underneath the manicured facade we all know as Victoria Beckham? (Allure)

“I never fit in socially. Kids can be really mean. I remember being mentally bullied, physically bullied, literally pushed around.”

The R.E.M. frontman reinventing himself: Michael Stipe remains stunned by his own good fortune. And all because he had the nerve as a 19-year-old art student, to stand on a stage with three friends and sing — and then wound up in one of the most celebrated bands in the world. For three decades, Stipe whizzed around the planet with R.E.M. He raked experience in. But that was a long time ago — R.E.M disbanded in 2011. So how do you reinvent yourself after being a global superstar? Stipe is still figuring that out. (The New York Times; complimentary link provided) “I’m wildly insecure. I have impostor syndrome to the [expletive] max.”

The celebrity we loved to hate: Remember Tara Reid? Reid had a chokehold on the culture with Cruel Intentions, two American Pie movies, Van Wilder, and Josie and the Pussycats. There was lots to celebrate and, she celebrated hard. Her every stumble was chronicled by what amounted to her own paparazzi press corps. Tara Reid was everywhere — until it all blew up. She’s back now, and wondering why her reputation took such a drastic turn. (Bustle)

“I never had a sex tape. People got in trouble, been in jail — I’ve never got a speeding ticket in my life. Why am I being punished?”

The rapper making peace with the past: Nicki Minaj had to fight for everything growing up: for her father’s attention, for her mother’s approval, for material comforts, for the feeling of safety inside the four walls of her home but also in her adopted home country. Pink Friday 2, her new album out in December, was written from the vantage point of a woman who has gotten so many of the things she dreamed about. And yet the past still tugs. (Vogue)

“Not knowing if you’re going to be broke, not knowing if you’re going to be a failure, there’s nothing more complicated than that.”

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