9 Things You Rarely Do For Yourself (But Should Do Every Day)

Summary of 9 Things You Rarely Do For Yourself (But Should Do Every Day)

by Lewis Howes

50m•January 21, 2026
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Overview of 9 Things You Rarely Do For Yourself (But Should Do Every Day)

Host Lewis Howes outlines nine small, daily practices that create clarity, confidence, and control. The central message: becoming your best self isn’t about dramatic overhauls but about stacking simple, consistent habits that protect your energy, sharpen your focus, and improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

The nine daily practices (what they are + why they matter)

  1. Start your day without your phone

    • Why: Protects your attention and lets you set your emotional tone rather than reacting to others.
    • Quick action: First 10 minutes device-free—breathe, stretch, set an intention, or meditate.

  2. Move your body on purpose (even briefly)

    • Why: Regulates the nervous system, clears mental fog, and builds self-respect.
    • Quick action: 10 minutes of walking, stretching, or any movement you can do consistently.

  3. Do one hard thing you’ve been avoiding

    • Why: Builds discipline, self-trust, and reduces background stress from avoidance.
    • Quick action: Make the difficult call/message/conversation or complete an important but uncomfortable task.

  4. Check in with your emotions (not only your to‑do list)

    • Why: Awareness prevents burnout; emotional regulation improves decision-making and relationships.
    • Quick action: Pause once daily, name how you feel without judgment.

  5. Set one clear boundary (even a small one)

    • Why: Protects your time and energy so you can do more of what matters; boundaries are self-respect.
    • Quick action: Say no to one non-essential ask or carve out protected time for something meaningful.

  6. Check in on your vision daily

    • Why: Prevents drifting into busy-but-misaligned productivity; repetition creates clarity and momentum.
    • Quick action: Spend a few minutes revisiting goals/values or view a short vision prompt each morning.

  7. Feed your mind with something that makes you better

    • Why: Inputs shape identity and trajectory; most people have an “input problem,” not a motivation problem.
    • Quick action: Read/listen to something uplifting or educational for a few minutes daily.

  8. Practice gratitude out loud or in writing

    • Why: Moves you from scarcity to awareness, improves mood and perspective; works best when expressed.
    • Quick action: Say or write three things you’re grateful for each day.

  9. Shut the day down—don’t let it bleed into tomorrow

    • Why: Mental closure prevents rumination and promotes restorative sleep and fresh starts.
    • Quick action: Nightly ritual: name one thing you did well, one lesson learned, and what can wait until tomorrow.

Key insights & notable quotes

  • “Your attention is your most valuable resource.” Protecting it early in the day changes your mood and priorities.
  • “Discipline is a form of self-care.” Doing uncomfortable, necessary things builds self-trust.
  • “Awareness prevents burnout.” Naming emotions keeps problems from going underground and growing.
  • “You don’t need a new life. You need new daily standards.” Small consistent habits compound into massive change.
  • James Clear: “Focus on trajectory rather than position” and “Five good minutes can do a lot.” Small, consistent gains beat episodic intensity.

Habit-building guidance (practical tips from James Clear included in the episode)

  • Start ultra-small: scale habits down so you can do them even on your worst days (e.g., 5 minutes).
  • Focus on trajectory (is the arrow pointing up?) rather than immediate position—small daily improvements compound.
  • Habit stages:
    1. Make it easy and frictionless to start.
    2. Obtain small rewards and social or performance benefits that reinforce the habit.
    3. Integrate into identity—habit becomes “who you are,” but stay open to evolving identity over time.
  • Lifelong view: habits aren’t a 30- or 66-day finish line; they’re a lifestyle to integrate and adapt as contexts change.

Action plan: how to start (7-day micro-challenge)

  • Pick 1 habit from the nine.
  • Make it tiny (5–10 minutes) and non-negotiable for 7 days.
  • Use a nightly shutdown: record one success, one lesson, and list what can wait until tomorrow.
  • Revisit vision once during the week and adjust as needed.

Sponsors & notable product mentions (present in transcript)

The episode includes multiple sponsor spots and product mentions (examples): QuickBooks/Intuit, Starbucks protein beverages, LinkedIn Ads, Quince, BetterHelp, Aquasana, Range Rover Sport, U.S. Bank Smartly Visa, T‑Mobile home internet, Atomic Habits (James Clear), and Lewis Howes’ book The Greatness Mindset.

Who benefits most from this episode

  • Overworked professionals, entrepreneurs, and high performers who feel depleted or reactive.
  • People seeking simple, sustainable daily habits to improve mental clarity, productivity, and wellbeing.
  • Anyone who wants practical habit formation advice tied to emotional regulation and long-term vision.

If you take only one thing from this episode: pick one of the nine practices, scale it down to a 5–10 minute daily action, and commit to it for a week. Small, consistent changes create outsized results.