Happy New Year! Hope you had a great holiday season.
I just got back from 10 days in Japan with my family. We visited Tokyo and Kyoto- they were both fantastic. If you've ever thought about visiting, I'd highly recommend it.
Now that we're a couple days into January, are you feeling the pressure yet? New year, new you and all that?
I'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions. Not because I'm against change. I just think January 1st is a pretty random day to decide your life needs to be different.
Real change happens when you decide you're ready. Not when the calendar tells you it's time.
Career change works the same way. I talk to people all year long who say "I'll look into franchise ownership when things calm down" or "Maybe I'll explore it next year."
But here's the thing. Things never calm down. There's never a perfect time. Waiting for the calendar to give you permission is just a fancy way of procrastinating.
The people who actually make the jump? They decide it's time and take the first step. Even when conditions aren't perfect. Even when the outcome isn't guaranteed.
32 Subscribers and Counting
Want to know how my YouTube channel is doing?
I have 32 subscribers. (Thanks Mom! And whoever those other 31 people are.)
My most-watched video has less than 200 views.
Every week I spend countless hours finding guests, recording interviews, editing videos, creating social media content, building digital products, writing course material, and putting together this newsletter you're reading right now.
The behind-the-scenes work? Way more than what you see.
The short-term results? Basically nothing.
So why keep going?
Because I'm not building for today. I'm building an asset that compounds over time. I'm not chasing dopamine hits from view counts.
My goal is to help others achieve their dreams of business ownership and financial freedom. To help them become the best version of themselves along the way.
That's the point of all this. Every piece of content I create now compounds later. Every system I build makes the next one easier. Every lesson I learn about titles, thumbnails, and copy gets me a little closer to traction.
Don't get me wrong. It feels good seeing each finished product. But the journey to get there? Not easy. Not exciting. Sometimes it's just tedious.
Here's what makes it work. I plan it. I block time in my calendar for focused work. Then I turn off my phone and close my email so I'm not constantly distracted. That way I actually get it done instead of letting it drag out forever.
I don't wait for everything to be perfect. Otherwise nothing would ever go out.
I'm still figuring out my processes. Eventually a lot of this will be streamlined and outsourced. But right now? I'm doing what needs to be done.
Not because it feels good. Because it aligns with who I'm becoming.
That's discipline.
🎯 HiPer8™ Principle: Discipline
"I do what needs to be done"
Most people think discipline means forcing yourself to do hard, boring things.
That's part of it. But discipline is so much more.
Discipline is making decisions based on the person you're becoming, not what you feel like doing in the moment.
It's creating an environment that makes it easier to succeed. Setting up systems. Removing friction. Building habits that don't rely on motivation.
It's regulating your emotions (not suppressing them) so you can respond to situations instead of reacting to them.
It's being able to say no to things that don't align with your goals. Even when they're tempting.
It's being able to focus when needed. To block out distractions and do the work that matters.
At its core, discipline is self-respect. It's honoring the commitments you make to yourself.
New Year's resolutions fail because they rely on motivation. "I'm going to work out every day" sounds great on January 1st. By February, motivation is gone.
Discipline doesn't wait for motivation. It builds the system first. Calendar blocks. Environment design. Accountability structures.
Then it shows up whether you feel like it or not.
Try this: Think about one change you want to make this year. Now ask yourself - what would make that change easier? What environment, system, or commitment structure would set you up to win?
Discipline isn't about willpower. It's about design.
📍 Quick Updates
✈️ Japan Trip: The food was amazing (relatively cheap, and appropriate-sized portions). The streets were clean. Public transportation was reliable and very convenient (once I figured out how to navigate the subway system!).
🎙️ Podcast Growing: 18 episodes and counting. The conversations keep getting better. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
🎙️ This Month on The Podcast
Episode 13: Building a $140M Fitness Empire - Josh York
Josh York started with one gym and built Gymguyz into a $140M fitness empire. His story about discipline, systems, and staying focused on what matters is incredible. This one ties directly into this month's principle.
Episode 17: From Corporate to Multi-Million Dollar Mobility Empire - Jen & Gordon Raney
Husband-and-wife team who went from corporate careers to building a multi-state mobility franchise before exiting and co-founding their own brand, Liftology. Jen quit her corporate job 60 days in. They broke their lease within the first month. Their story about seizing opportunity at the right time is powerful.
Episode 18: Business Ownership Decoded - Workshop Recording
The full Workshop 2 recording comparing buying an existing business vs. buying a franchise. Real costs, timelines, support systems, and which path fits different situations.
📚 Free Download: The Franchise Fit Playbook
With over 4,000 franchises out there, how do you choose the right one?
My 50-page guide walks you through the entire selection process: self-assessment, investment analysis, franchise categories, validation with existing owners, financing options, and comparing your final choices.
It's the roadmap I wish I had when I started.
Ready to Talk?
I work one-on-one with qualified professionals to find franchises that match their goals, skills, and investment level.
My coaching is free. I'm only paid by franchisors after you find the right fit and move forward.
No pressure. No obligation. Just honest conversation.
Thanks for reading. Real change doesn't wait for January 1st. It starts when you decide it's time.
-Alan
Alan Regala
High Performance Franchise Coach
Former Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Owner
Athlete to Owner
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