Power Acronym 24: W.I.N. (Revisited)

From What's Important Now to Whatever Is Next

Ever had a Facebook or photo memory pop up from 10+ years ago and make you say,

“Who is that—and what was I thinking?”

And then there are other memories. Even old ones.

You see them and immediately cherish the moment—and the person you were back then.

Ideas are like that too.

Some age out.

Others deepen.

This week felt like the right time to revisit Power Acronym 24: W.I.N., originally posted on January 24, 2025.

The pursuit of wisdom isn’t about constantly chasing new ideas.

More often, it’s about returning to old ones—and practicing them again in a new phase of life.

W.I.N. is about making your best your new baseline.

It’s about closing the gap between who you’re capable of being and who you’re actually being.

There are two breakouts for W.I.N.

The first comes from Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.

The second comes from me.

What’s Important Now

Focus · Presence · Execution

What’s Important Now is a powerful redirection back to your priorities.

The practice of W.I.N.-ing is less about achievement and more about process.

You probably have things you want to accomplish by this time next year. Holding that vision matters—but it can also feel daunting, especially when the goal is new or big.

W.I.N. brings you back to the small steps that move the needle today.

Have you identified the specific actions that actually move you closer to your goal?

Execute on those—and over time, progress becomes inevitable.

Whatever Is Next

Readiness · Adaptability · Calm Anticipation

Recently, I spoke with a friend and business owner who’s navigating significant changes in his work.

Those changes have required him to show up differently. If he didn’t adapt, not only would his business suffer—so would his family.

While I’m not a business owner, I know what it feels like to let go of what was “normal” in order to keep moving forward.

We can’t predict the future.

But we can make informed judgments by paying attention—to our industry, the market, our environment, and the signals around us.

Whatever Is Next isn’t about being reactionary.

It’s about being proactive—so we’re ready to adapt when new challenges arrive.

What’s Important Now grounds us in the present.

Whatever Is Next prepares us for the future.

We’re only days into 2026, and it has already required a new version of me to show up.

I know I’m not the only one.

That’s why I wanted to return to what it truly means to W.I.N.

A steady focus on the action I need to take today.

And a calm, confident readiness for whatever comes next.

That's a W.I.N.-W.I.N.!