Your 2026 Body Is Being Built Right Now

Welcome to The Real Work, weekly insights for high-performers and entrepreneurs who've outgrown their current success and are ready to rebuild from their authentic foundation.

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Stanley, because your best ideas shouldn't die in the algorithm.

I love creating content on LinkedIn. What I hate is watching great ideas die because the person posting doesn't know the formula. The right hook. The right structure. Even brilliant insights get buried if you don't know how to play the game.

As a father of four with an active schedule, I don't have time to master copywriting formulas. That's where Stanley comes in. It's an AI tool that turns your thoughts, stories, and experiences into LinkedIn content that actually gets you recognized and rewarded for who you are, not just what you do.

Every week, I get 3 fresh, tailored content ideas delivered straight to my inbox. Not generic prompts, but ideas specifically crafted around what's working in my industry and based on my top-performing posts. Stanley even interviews you to pull out your best stories, making content creation ridiculously easy.

If you're trying to grow your LinkedIn presence but don't know where to start, try Stanley. You get 3 days free with my link.

And now, let's get started . . .

I quit drinking alcohol over 10 years ago, but this time of year always tests my standards.

Not in the way you might think. I don't have a desire to drink anymore. But one way I got over my addiction to alcohol was eating way too many sweets. Cookies, candies, anything sugary became my new binge. I kicked that habit too.

But once in a while I'll let myself indulge. Have that extra piece of cake left over from my kid's birthday. Grab one more cookie than I planned.

With the holidays here and everyone from business partners to my wife's company sending candy and treats our way, I have to check my standards. I know I'll never drink again. That's a hard line. But my standard around sweets is strict moderation, which is sometimes harder than complete elimination.

This time of year always creates that tension for me. But being aware of the conflict is how you remember you have standards in the first place. You don't have to be perfect. You just need to know where the line is.

The Real Cost of "Enjoying the Season"

The same people who'll spend $500 on a January gym membership are destroying their bodies for free right now. "It's the holidays." That's what they tell themselves while reaching for the fifth cookie, the third slice of pie, the second helping they don't even want.

Know what's worse than having low standards? Creating a temporary version of yourself with even lower ones.

Most people think they're just letting loose for a few weeks. What they're actually doing is digging a hole so deep that January feels impossible before it even starts. Going from 4,000 holiday calories to a 1,200 calorie crash diet isn't transformation. It's whiplash. And your body keeps score.

The person demolishing a cheese board on December 28th is the same person who'll quit their new diet by January 15th. Guaranteed. It's a binary decision. You're either maintaining your baseline through the holidays, or you're creating a January mountain out of a December ditch.

What I Do Instead

Four kids means holiday chaos. More treats around. More excuses available. But I still fast every Sunday 5pm to Monday 5pm, even during the holidays.

I stop by 5pm sharp because that's when I pick up my kids. Nobody wants a hangry dad at pickup.

Is it perfect? No. Am I eating more cookies than usual? Sure. But I'm maintaining a standard. A baseline. Something that keeps me from becoming a completely different person who'll need a complete overhaul come January.

The truth nobody wants to hear? Your 2026 body is being built right now. In December. Not January.

3 Standards That Survive the Holidays

First, keep one non-negotiable routine. Just one. Whether it's your morning workout, your fasting window, or your daily walk, one standard maintained is better than zero.

Second, set a ceiling, not just a floor. "I'll have dessert" is different than "I'll eat every dessert." Know your limit before you hit the party.

Third, remember January 1st isn't magic. The habits you're building or breaking right now are the ones you'll carry forward. Your future self is watching.

Why This Matters Beyond the Holidays

Here's what I've learned over the years. Having strong standards in one area tends to raise your standards everywhere else.

When I stopped drinking, I started paying more attention to what I ate. When I got serious about fitness, I got more intentional about who I spent time with. When I raised my standards for my health, I raised them for my business, my relationships, my time. Standards compound. One area of discipline creates momentum for another. And before you know it, you're not just maintaining a diet or a workout routine. You're living with intention.

You can enjoy the holidays without becoming someone you'll hate in January. Standards aren't about perfection. They're about not having to rebuild your entire identity every 12 months.

What's the one standard you're keeping through New Year's? Hit reply and let me know.

Stay Up,

Terry

Real Quick: Want to know what's actually going on inside your body instead of guessing? Superpower uses blood testing to give you real data on your health so you can make smarter decisions about nutrition, sleep, and performance. I use it to stay on top of my health and catch issues before they become problems. Check it out here.​

One More: Sometimes you know exactly what story you want to tell but don't have time to find the best hook. Or you're not a trained copywriter. That's where Stanley comes in. It's the AI tool that turns your thoughts and experiences into LinkedIn posts that actually get noticed. Click here to get 3 days free on me.​

Last One: Feeling stuck and need help getting clear on your next move? I do 1:1 coaching calls where we cut through the noise and get you unstuck, whether that's around your business, career, or personal growth. Book a call here.​

Find me on Linke​dIn, YouTube, Instagram, or visit my store.

Forwarded this email? Sign up here.