Ancient Latin, Modern Drive and Iron Will - Your Week 1 Formula

Success leaves clues in unexpected places. In the ancient roots of Latin words. In the decisive actions of driven men. In the iron will that turns intention into reality.

You've built success. Led projects. Achieved goals others thought impossible. You know how to make decisions that matter. Now it's time to apply that same decisive leadership to your personal growth.

During a recent Argent Alpha Assembly, Jerrid Sebesta revealed the origins of a word we use everyday. His etymological insight about "decide" resonated deeply with our community. As Clint Murray reflected, it was like "pouring gas on the fire" of inspiration:

De-: From Latin, meaning "off, away, or down"—signifying separation, removal, or descent.

-Cide: From Latin "caedere," meaning "to cut, strike down, or kill."

As Clint powerfully articulated, to decide is to "eliminate every other option and focus entirely on the chosen path." In his words: "No other option."

This isn't just linguistic trivia—it's a life-altering principle. In the context of Argent Alpha and the lives we're creating, deciding to make 2025 extraordinary isn't a casual choice—it's a commitment. It means cutting away distractions, excuses, and half-hearted attempts to fully embody the man you want to be—the man in your Eulogy.

Clint reinforced this commitment by referencing Orison Swett Marden's "An Iron Will":

"There are no two words in the English language which stand out in bolder relief, like kings upon a checkerboard, to so great an extent as the words 'I will.' There is strength, depth and solidity, decision, confidence and power, determination, vigor and individuality, in the round, ringing tone which characterizes its delivery."

"I will." These words are definitive. They leave no room for negotiation, hesitation, or doubt. They are a bold declaration of focus, purpose, and resolve.

Over the past few weeks, we've laid the groundwork in newsletters #109 to #116, exploring tools like the Eulogy, Future Self, and 3 Words to help you envision your 2025. If you missed them, they're essential companions to this week's message as we move from planning to execution.

Before we dive into the practical framework for your first week, take a moment to reflect as Clint did: What do you need to cut out to make room for the man you desire to be? What will you DECIDE to commit to—and confirm with the words "I WILL"?

The First Week Sets Your Course

"The first week of the year sets the tone for the next 51."

That quote was casually dropped in one of our recent meetings and it would’ve remained Zoom sawdust if we weren’t all tuned into planning 2025.

Picture yourself at the helm. These final days of 2024 are your chance to prepare—to map your course, check your supplies, and set your sails to catch the winds of momentum when they arrive. The first week of 2025 is when you leave the safety of the harbor and head into open water.

Here's the truth: without intention, you risk drifting. Drift happens when you let the tides of habit, procrastination, or external demands steer your course. For men over 50, drift isn't neutral—it leads to decline. Growth, strength, and momentum only come when you take the helm and steer with purpose.

That's why we're having this conversation now—before the year begins. The decisions you make today will shape not just the first week of 2025 but the entire year ahead. Waiting until January 1st isn't a strategy; it's a missed opportunity. Leadership begins early, and it begins with you.

First Week Framework: Your Launchpad for Success

In your career, you excel at execution. You understand the power of systems and accountability. The first week of 2025 is about applying these same principles to your personal growth. Use the Weekly Planner (download link below) to set, track, measure, and improve five key standards: mindset, sleep, nutrition, fitness, and hydration.

For each standard, apply the same decision-making clarity that's driven your success: "What MUST I do, not just should do, to make this week count?"

Morning Ritual: Start Strong

Your morning ritual isn't just about tasks—it's about priming yourself for an extraordinary day. Here's an example you can implement tomorrow morning:

• Physical State (1 minute):

  • Stand tall, shoulders back

  • Take 3 deep breaths: 4 counts in, hold for 7, 8 counts out

  • Smile fully—yes, right now—and feel the shift

• Hydrate First (2 minutes):

  • 16 ounces of water

  • Fresh lemon juice

  • ¼ teaspoon high-quality sea salt

  • While drinking, mentally state: "I'm starting strong"

• Journal (5 minutes):

  • Affirm and write your intention to make today a great day

  • Write your day's most important action

  • As Jim Rohn said, "Never start a day until you've lived it on paper"

• Movement (5-10 minutes):

  • Even light movement changes your state

  • Choose from: stretching, walking, pushups, air squats

  • Focus on feeling energized, not exhausted

This routine is short, simple and powerful. Make it your own. The specifics are less important than the practice of starting your day with intention. Once this becomes a habit, it becomes much easier to stack other habits on top.

Making Week One Count

You know the value of preparation. Apply that same strategic thinking to your personal growth:

Remove Decision Fatigue

Just as you focus your energy on important decisions, eliminate unnecessary choices from your daily routine:

• Prep your gym bag every evening

• Stock your kitchen with planned meals

• Set out work clothes for the week

• Clear your workspace of distractions

Kill Your Exit Ramps

Apply the same accountability that drives your success:

• Delete time-wasting apps from your phone

• Put your alarm across the room

• Set concrete stakes with your training partner ($50 if you miss a session)

• Have your workout planned before you hit the gym

Track Without Emotion

Use your Weekly Planner to record facts, not feelings:

• Did you complete your morning ritual? Yes/No

• Did you hit your water target? Yes/No

• Did you stick to your sleep schedule? Yes/No

• Did you make your meal protein-centric? Yes/No

You know how to measure what matters. Apply that skill here.

The Power of Consistency

Success isn't built on dramatic changes but on consistent execution. Each small action proves who you are and what you stand for. Use these strategies to maintain your commitment:

Stack Your Actions

Most of us already have set routines—like brewing coffee or stepping away from our desks after a call—and these moments are perfect opportunities to “stack” a new habit. By pairing a new behavior with an existing routine, you reduce decision fatigue and make it easier to stick with your goals. Here are some simple examples:

• After pouring coffee, write in your journal.

• After each meeting or call, do 10 pushups.

• After each bathroom break, refill your water bottle.

• After dinner, brush and floss so you don’t snack before bed.

• Before watching TV, “ante up” by reading 5 pages of a book.

Focus on Completion

When you’re building momentum, done is always better than perfect. Even small, consistent actions outweigh grand plans that never materialize. Keep it simple, keep it doable, and watch the cumulative effect add up over time. Here are some quick reminders:

• A 10-minute workout beats skipping your training entirely.

• One page of journaling beats writing nothing at all.

• Eight glasses of water beats reaching for a soda.

Something is better than nothing.

Build Your Chain

Jerry Seinfeld famously used a “don’t break the chain” system to maintain his writing habit: each day he wrote, he marked a big red ‘X’ on his calendar. Seeing those marks line up became a powerful motivator. You can do the same with your daily standards. Track each completed action on your Weekly Planner, and watch your string of check marks grow. Let that unbroken chain of small wins fuel your momentum day after day.

Final Challenge: Make Your Move

You've built your success on decisive action. This is no different. The tools and strategies we've covered aren't theoretical - they're your execution plan for 2025. Now it's time to apply the same commitment that built your success to building your strongest year yet.

Start today, not tomorrow:

1. Use the Weekly Planner (download below) as your scorecard: Map your first week across all 5 standards: mindset, sleep, nutrition, fitness, and hydration.

2. Set up your battlefield:

   • Place your Weekly Planner where you'll see it

   • Set out tomorrow's workout gear

   • Stock your kitchen for success

   • Clear your workspace of distractions

3. Lock in your path:

   • Schedule your first week's workouts

   • Set your non-negotiable sleep schedule

   • Choose your morning ritual and write it down

4. Commit to the man you're becoming:

   • Share your commitment with someone who'll hold you to it

   • Write down what you'll prove about yourself in Week One

   • Set your first milestone

5. Read Pros Start Today, Amateurs Wait for ‘Someday’—Which One Are You?

   • Pros act even when it’s not convenient; amateurs wait for the right moment that never comes.

   • Start 2025 with momentum and clarity, not regret.

   • Turn Challenges into Opportunities, whining into winning.

At Argent Alpha, we've built a community of accomplished men who understand that real success extends beyond business. Men who are ready to apply their drive and determination to personal excellence.

Take the next step now: Go to Argent Alpha and apply to join a brotherhood of accomplished men committed to becoming stronger, sharper, and more intentional in 2025.

The road ahead is yours to define. Start with one deliberate action today, and let that momentum carry you forward.

How will 2025 be different from 2024? The answer starts with what you do right now.