Fire Thoughts | Success Tips, Habits, and Resources

The first hour sets the tone for your day, so focus on clarity, prioritization, and momentum. Start by eliminating noise—avoid diving straight into Slack or email until you’ve defined your priorities. Use this time to align your tasks with your goals, handle one high-impact item, and create a calm, structured start so the rest of your day flows instead of reacting. Do a 2–3 minute review of your goals and decide the one win that would make today successful. Scan your calendar and block micro-time for priority tasks before meetings take over. Avoid inbox/Slack for the first 15–20 minutes to prevent reactive mode. Tackle a quick but meaningful task to build momentum and confidence. Set your workspace up for focus: close unneeded tabs, set do-not-disturb, and prep tools for the next block of work. A well-organized desk boosts clarity and efficiency by keeping only what you need within reach and removing visual clutter that slows you down. Start by clearing everything off, then reintrod...

Here are five great, science-backed ways to make a habit stick permanently. Each one strengthens the behavior from a different angle, so using several together works best. 1. Make It Tiny (Start Smaller Than You Think) Habits become permanent when they're effortless. Shrink the habit until it feels almost too easy: 1 push-up instead of a full workout Reading 1 page instead of 20 Meditating for 1 minute Small habits remove internal resistance and create consistency-the foundation of permanence. 2. Anchor It to Something You Already Do Use an existing routine as a trigger (a "habit stack"): After I brush my teeth - I journal one sentence After I boil water for coffee - I stretch for 30 seconds This removes decision-making and uses your brain’s built-in patterning system. 3. Design Your Environment for Success Your environment beats motivation every time. Make the desired behavior frictionless: Put workout clothes by the bed Keep a water bottle on your desk Leave a book on y...

Here are 5 powerful success habits to do before bedtime that can help you end each day strong and set yourself up for a productive tomorrow: 1. Reflect on the Day Spend 5 minutes reviewing your wins and lessons from the day. Ask yourself: “What went well?” and “What could I improve tomorrow?” This strengthens self-awareness and creates a growth mindset. 2. Plan Tomorrow Spend 10 minutes planning your top 3 priorities for the next day. This reduces morning decision fatigue. When you wake up, you already know what to focus on. 3. Unplug and Wind Down Turn off screens at least 30–60 minutes before bed. The blue light from devices disrupts melatonin production. Replace scrolling with reading, journaling, or listening to calm music. 4. Practice a Nighttime Routine Create a consistent ritual that signals “time to rest.” Examples: Stretching or yoga Brushing your teeth and washing your face mindfully Using soft lighting and calming scents like lavender This ...

Getting laid off can be a shock - emotionally and financially. The first step is to take a moment to process what happened before rushing into decisions. Give yourself permission to feel the loss and uncertainty, but also remind yourself that a layoff is not a reflection of your worth or abilities. Once you’ve had time to breathe, review your severance package, unused benefits, and health coverage options. Understanding your financial runway and the resources available to you will help you plan your next steps more confidently. Next, take care of practicalities: apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible, and consider reaching out to your network quietly to let trusted contacts know you’re open to new opportunities. Update your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio while details of your most recent role are still fresh. Treat this as both a reset and a chance to realign your career toward something that fits your goals better. Review your severance package carefully - Check...