I just got back from Manhattan Beach with my family. I get up at 6am wherever I am in the world, and from 7–9am is “my time.” My family sleeps in. I have a different morning routine. It works for me.
First, I hydrate with 20 oz of water with creatine and aminos (I use KION). That’s followed by a large decaf cappuccino with MCT oil powder and collagen peptides (I use BUBS Naturals). Then I do 15–30 minutes of mobility and fascia release. I’m really into Jules Horn and Mike Holland’s programs right now, which I follow on YouTube. After that, it’s usually an Epsom salt bath, where I do some writing (yes, I have a bathtub desk) and plan the day, and then a three-mile walk.
During this trip, I set up morning “walk and talks” each day. I have a few coaching clients and friends who were willing to make the drive and meet me, which was great. I call these “2 for 1s,” where you get great conversation and some exercise. I look for these opportunities as often as I can.
Each morning, we talked about how the year had gone, what we want for the year ahead, and how we plan to earn it. What we need to start, stop, and continue doing. We questioned and challenged one another.
Annual goals are great. But when you reverse engineer them down to quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily action steps, achieving your goals becomes measurable instead of hopeful. That’s the process you need to fall in love with, not the end game. Over three miles along the beach, coffee in hand, that’s exactly what we talked about.
That’s the system. No fancy frameworks. No endless masterclasses. No majoring in the minors. Just the basics.
But before you can do anything, you have to know where you stand. You can’t build on an unstable foundation.
And this is the time of year to assess how stable your foundation really is.
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Here’s what I’m doing this December:
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Pick my misogi and quarterly adventures and experiences
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Announce the MLM 2026 schedule based on “here’s what I’m doing in 2026 and you’re invited”
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Clean out my closet and donate anything I no longer wear and that the boys don’t want
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Do a relationship audit across friends, family, and clients
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Write thank-you notes to everyone who helped me this year
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Send Big Ass Planners to all my clients and friends
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Announce 2026 coaching offers
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Update my will and life insurance
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Update my Midlife Action Plan for 2026 and share it with my family
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Book all family vacations for 2026
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Book each quarterly adventure for 2026
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Book the CU graduation hotel and dinners
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Pay property taxes
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Get an MRI of my shoulder and neck to figure out what’s going on
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Schedule a dermatologist appointment for a skin cancer check, quarterly Botox, and Clear + Brilliant
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Get my annual dental checkup and cleaning
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Meet with a nutritionist
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Have my annual physical
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Get bloodwork, heart tests, and all annual screenings done
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Review all results with my primary care physician
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Go to a sleep doctor appointment
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File MLM taxes and K-1
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Fill out my Big Ass Calendar and planner
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Meet with my wealth advisor for an annual review and 2026 plan
Most middle-aged guys don’t want to hear this, but at some point, you have to be honest with yourself about the life you’ve been living and what your daily habits have gotten you.
If you’re stuck, you’re stuck for a reason. And that reason is you. Bigger dreams and bigger goals demand healthier habits, and healthier habits require more self-discipline. If you’re not willing to do the work, don’t expect change.
If you are, everything you want is possible.
What gets scheduled gets done.
It’s that simple.
Finish strong. Start stronger.
In Health,
PS: Still hunting for a last-minute holiday gift that actually matters for guys? My Midlife Male book isn’t fluff or feel-good nonsense. It’s a straight-talk guide to living happier, healthier, and wealthier in the years that count most. Get it here.
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach.
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