One lesson for every month from systems to self-worth.
There’s something about taking a full lap around the sun that forces you to look at the game differently.
For me, 2025 wasn’t about hitting some massive “next level.” It was about mastering the small things that stack up to make a big impact. Getting good at the fundamentals, if you will.
Below are 12 lessons (one from each month) that shaped me, challenged me, and reminded me who I really am (and who I’m still becoming). If you’re an athlete, creator, entrepreneur, or simply in a season of transition… maybe one of these will hit home for you, too.
January: The Right Systems > More Goals
“Your future isn’t built on ambition, it’s built on repeatable actions.”
I’m always creating, whether it’s for ESPN, SiriusXM, social, or Xtraordinary Athletes. But I truly needed more structure to start the year. I forced myself to begin the year with better organization and a real system one that helped me work smarter instead of harder.
February: Visibility Isn’t Vanity (When It’s Intentional)
“Being seen becomes service when you’re rooted in purpose.”
Vulnerability sticks. When I’m honest about my journey and not just trying to “look cool”, people lean in. That’s still hard for me. I don’t want to look like I’m flexing all the time. But this year, I started seeing my content like a digital scrapbook. It might be the only thing my kids will one day have to look back on.
March: Speak It, Then Stay Ready
“The world responds to clarity and consistency. Declare it, then do the work.”
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the tongue is. This year, I started speaking life, out loud. I learned that from my wife. I began to believe it more because I started saying it more. Case in point: my Fanatics x Boardroom journey started with a video… and ended with a seat in the room.
April: Your Voice Is Your Value
“People aren’t just following your journey, they’re learning from it.”
I stopped creating for everyone. I started focusing on the right people. LinkedIn and Substack have become spaces where I don’t feel like I need to be perfect, I just need to be present. That’s where the real connections have happened.
May: Long-Term Patience Creates Long-Term Impact
“Legacy takes time, but it’s built on how you show up daily.”
Everything I do is strategic now. The best creators I study? They play the long game. That’s who I’m modeling after not just people who go viral, but people who last.
June: Brand Deals Don’t Mean Brand Alignment
“Saying no creates space for the right yes.”
I just wrote about this, but it’s worth repeating. I only say yes to partnerships that truly align with who I am. A quick dollar isn’t worth a long-term identity crisis. Been there. Done that.
July: You Don’t Need Perfection. You Need Process.
“Relatability will always outperform polish when the message is clear.”
I used to think I needed the big production crew, the fancy setup. But honestly, the most impact I’ve made came from planning out systems I can repeat. I want greatness that’s scalable, not just cinematic.
August: AI Is a Tool, Not a Crutch
“The best creators use AI to enhance, not replace.”
Everyone’s talking about ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI tools. I started using them to assist me, not create for me. That mindset shift helped me build custom systems for my work, my content, and my business.
September: Transition Means Starting Over and That’s Okay
“You can’t transition like a pro if you won’t learn like a rookie.”
At Xtraordinary Athletes, I saw how many former players felt overwhelmed in the business world. Me too. Tools like Microsoft 365, CRMs, and digital platforms? I was lost. But once I humbled myself and got to work… I started catching up. And now I teach it, too.
October: Don’t Wait for a Stage to Start Teaching
“Your experience has value even if you’re still figuring it out.”
This month I mapped out “Show n’ Go w/ X” my way of teaching youth athletes and their parents in short, powerful clips. My job is to make the lessons I’ve learned easier for the next generation. Not just talk about it, but show them.
November: The Work You Do in the Dark Will Always Matter
“Your labor isn’t lost, it’s being stored.”
So many moments this year felt like they went unseen. But the rooms I walked into? The platforms that started paying attention? That was the result of work that nobody saw. Don’t quit just because the fruit isn’t visible yet. God doesn’t work on your timeline.
December: Reflection Is Strategy
“If you don’t reflect, you’ll just repeat.”
This time of year gets fast. But I’ve learned to slow down on purpose. I reflect on the wins, the losses, and everything in between because if I’ve learned one thing in 2025, it’s this: I can’t fail if I’m still showing up.
These 12 lessons didn’t come easy. Most of them came through failure, frustration, or fear.
But they stuck.
And I hope one of them sticks with you as you head into 2026 because sometimes the best game plan for next season… is reflecting on the one you just played.
Let’s build from here.
Want help building your systems, your voice, or your post-playing career?
I’m opening up more resources in 2026 to do just that. Make sure you’re subscribed.
Cheers to the New Year! Until next time!
-X
