RISE
566 Days Later, I Begin Again
566 days ago—on 1 January 2024—I started (another) self-improvement journey.
I committed to a handful of daily disciplines. The intention was twofold: to focus my mind for an upcoming marathon, and to realign with the version of life I believed I was capable of living. I didn’t feel like I was showing up in the way I wanted to. Something was off.
Now, 18 months later, I’ve done a lot on paper:
Ran a marathon with a time I’m proud of;
Completed a 50-mile ultramarathon;
Travelled to California, Costa Rica, the Alps, Nepal;
Changed roles at work;
Went snowboarding, gave a best man speech, went on a cruise; and
Renovated my house and moved back in.
It’s been full. I’m grateful.
And yet… I feel like I’m still in the same place internally.
Same habits creeping back in. Same distractions. Same dull ache that I’m not living as the person I know I could be.
Why Again?
So why am I here again? Why am I talking about another “discipline challenge”?
Because I can feel the chaos building.
There’s a tension within me, a quiet discomfort that tells me something’s off. I try to ignore it. I escape into comfort, pleasure, stimulation. But it doesn’t last. Eventually even those distractions lose their flavour—and what’s left is a voice that says:
“This is not the life you’re capable of living.”
That voice is what gave birth to RISE.
What is RISE?
RISE isn’t a 30-day dopamine detox. It’s not a productivity sprint.
It’s a 12-month transformation—an identity shift from the inside out.
I’ve done discipline before. Many times. And I’ve followed through.
But nothing has truly changed long-term.
Why?
Because I built the structure—but not the self that could sustain it.
This time I’m going deeper. Discipline is still the starting point, but the real work begins when the initial spark fades, and I’m faced with the decision to keep going—not out of obligation, but from identity.
The RISE Framework
I’ve split RISE into three distinct phases:
Phase 1: Reset (Days 1–90)
This is a discipline sprint: stripping back noise, eliminating distractions, and reconnecting with intention. It’s about reclaiming time, energy, and focus.
This is where I am now—currently on week 4—and already feeling sharper.
Click here to see the exact daily disciplines I'm following → Google Sheets
Phase 2: Rebuild (Days 91–180)
Here, nothing changes overnight—but the mindset does. This is about integration: keeping the core habits but allowing flexibility. No more ticking boxes. The goal is to design a lifestyle I can actually live—one rooted in my values, not in rules.
Phase 3: RISE (Days 181–365)
The final 6 months. With the foundation laid, I build. This phase is about expansion—creatively, physically, professionally. My hope is that by this point, the fog of old habits has cleared, and I’m living in alignment with the man I’m becoming.
A Final Thought
The difference this time is that I’m not striving for perfection.
I’ve built in flexibility. Minimum viable versions. Realignment rituals.
I’m not trying to "win" a challenge. I'm trying to become someone new.
RISE is the path I’ve chosen to step into that version of myself.
It starts with discipline—but it ends with freedom.
Let’s see where it goes.
Wake up
Luke