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

Introduction: What’s Coming and Why It Matters

Let’s cut to the chase—if you’re serious about growth, health, and hitting your goals, the time to start is now, not January. Over the next few weeks, I’m sharing a proven process that will help you close out 2024 with strength and clarity, setting you up to dominate 2025. This isn’t about waiting for a New Year’s resolution—it’s about gaining an edge when most people are letting their guard down. Think of it as your playbook for a strong finish and an even stronger start.

If you’re ready to make this your turning point, follow along. Every issue will be packed with actionable steps that you can put to work immediately. This isn’t about theories or wishful thinking—it’s about doing the work, getting results, and being the guy who steps up when others are coasting.

Why October Is the Best Time to Start Planning

Here’s the reality: waiting until January to start planning is a rookie move. Real pros don’t wait—they put in the work while others are winding down. Think about it: how many people will gain weight, lose momentum, and wake up in January scrambling to undo the damage? By then, the pros—you—are already ahead, building momentum and getting a running start. Don’t let holiday indulgence set you back when you could be using this time to separate yourself from the pack.

Starting now gives you an edge. It lets you reflect on where you’ve been, get clear on where you’re headed, and build the habits that will carry you through the toughest time of the year—when most people let their guard down. Planning now means you’ll enter 2025 with a clear vision and a running start, while everyone else is still shaking off the holiday fog.

Drawing on Steven Pressfield’s Insights: Turning Pro

Steven Pressfield nailed it in Turning Pro: the difference between amateurs and pros comes down to commitment. Pros act even when it’s not convenient; amateurs wait for the right moment that never comes. This is about making the decision today that your goals matter more than your excuses. It’s about showing up—day in, day out—because that’s how real change happens.

When it comes to planning, turning pro means treating your goals like they matter—because they do. It means starting the process when others are still making excuses. It’s about rejecting the comfort of waiting for January and embracing the challenge of starting now.

Whining vs. Winning: A Critical Mindset Shift

In line with the pro mindset is a key duality that defines the way you approach challenges: whining vs. winning.

• Winning: Focused on solutions, persistence, and taking action despite setbacks. A winning mindset is about making progress, learning from mistakes, and constantly striving for improvement. Winners look for opportunities in challenges and keep moving forward, even when the path is difficult.

• Whining: Focused on complaints, excuses, and seeing obstacles as insurmountable. Those with a whining mindset dwell on what’s wrong and externalize blame, missing out on opportunities for growth. Whining wastes energy on the problem instead of directing energy toward a solution.

Why it matters: For men over 50, adopting a winning mindset is essential to overcome the challenges that come with aging—whether that’s adjusting to physical limitations, changing career paths, or dealing with new life circumstances. Whining is a mindset that holds them back, focusing on what can’t be done rather than what can. In contrast, a winning mindset turns setbacks into fuel for growth, making it possible to achieve goals that seemed out of reach. Argent Alpha’s philosophy is about choosing winning habits and mindsets, transforming complaints into action steps, and taking ownership of the journey.

The Power of Momentum: Ending 2024 Strong

Momentum is a force multiplier. Once you’ve got it, everything becomes easier—goals that seemed out of reach start to come into focus, and habits that felt like a grind become automatic. But here’s the catch: momentum doesn’t just show up—you have to create it. And the best time to build momentum is right now, in Q4, when most people are winding down.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, talks about how small actions, done consistently, compound over time. That’s what we’re aiming for here. You’re not just trying to survive the holidays—you’re setting yourself up to thrive through them. When January rolls around, you’ll already have built up habits, routines, and discipline while others are still trying to get started.

Most people will wake up in January with regrets—regrets about the weight they gained, the opportunities they missed, the time they wasted. You’ll wake up with momentum and clarity, already moving toward your goals. That’s the power of starting now. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective, and it’s how real progress is made.

Actionable Steps: How to Start Planning Today

It’s one thing to know why you should start planning now, but what’s more important is knowing how to start. Let’s get practical—here are three steps you can take this week to get moving:

• Step 1: Set a Planning Session
  Block off 60 minutes on your calendar this week for your first planning session. This isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s an appointment with yourself, a commitment to your future. In that time, focus on the big questions: What do you want to accomplish in 2025? What would make the year a win for you? And how do you want to feel at the end of next year compared to now? Write it down, get specific, and start building the vision.

• Step 2: Reflect on 2024
  Before you start looking forward, take time to reflect on the past year. What went well? What could have been better? Think about the wins—both big and small—that you achieved in 2024. What key learnings did you gain along the way? Maybe you nailed a fitness goal or found new ways to manage stress. Maybe you faced challenges that taught you resilience. Write down these insights. This reflection isn’t about dwelling on the past; it’s about gathering the wisdom that will make your 2025 planning even sharper.

• Step 3: Align with Your Future Self
  As you plan, keep your Future Self in mind. Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s work in Be Your Future Self Now is all about making decisions today that align with the person you want to become. Picture yourself a year from now—healthier, stronger, more focused. What decisions would that person make today? This exercise helps you cut through the noise and stay focused on the actions that matter most. Write down three things your Future Self would be doing right now, and use that as a guide for your decisions over the next few months.

What’s Coming Next:

Here’s what you can expect over the coming weeks:

• Building Your Annual Plan: A step-by-step guide to create a plan that sets you up for real success.

• Mindset Dualities: Key mindset shifts like Hero vs. Victim and 10x vs. 2x that change the game.

• Thriving During the Holidays: Strategies to avoid the common traps that derail most people.

• Tools and Execution: Proven tools to keep you on track and execute your plan with confidence.

Bring Others Along for the Journey

The time to start is now. The best results come to those who don’t wait for January—they begin their journey in October, with a plan, a vision, and the discipline of a professional. Book your planning session, set your goals for 2025, and reflect on what you’ve learned from 2024. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet—starting today. Don’t wait until everyone else is scrambling to catch up. You’ve got the knowledge, the tools, and the drive—now it’s time to use them.

Know someone who’s tired of being stuck in “someday” mode? Share this newsletter with friends, family, or colleagues who are ready to step up. This is about building a community of high-achievers who don’t wait around—they take action. Let’s build momentum together.

Let’s get after it.

Ready to Take Control of 2025?

Don’t wait for the right time—create it. If you’re a man over 50 who’s serious about getting leaner, stronger, and sharper than ever, it’s time to join a community that matches your drive. Visit Argent Alpha and take the next step toward a stronger, more focused you.

Why settle for average when you can be exceptional? Click the link, make your move, and let’s get after it.