The First Offering

So today, I go public, with my thoughts. Not the last thing I’ll take public.

It’s that time of year, when goal setting feels mandatory. I’ve never been much for New Year’s resolutions. If something needs to change, I change it that day. If I realize I’ve been spending time on the wrong things on December 27th, I don’t wait for January 1st. Starting this blog follows the same logic. It’s not a resolution, just a decision.

I was listening to the My First Million podcast when Jesse Itzler described a Japanese ritual called Misogi. It’s about choosing a single, difficult challenge each year, something uncomfortable enough that you have a 50% chance of failing. The moment I heard it, it reminded me of the first time I had Chipotle. One bite and I was sold.

I sat with the idea for a while, trying to figure out what my Misogi for 2026 could be. For many people it’s something physical, a marathon, a difficult hike, an endurance challenge. I admire that. It just doesn’t connect with me in the same way.

Being funny in a group is very different from being funny for an audience that doesn’t know you. There’s no shared context, no inside jokes, and no obligation to care about your feelings. That gap is exactly what makes this uncomfortable. This year, I want to learn how to write something that makes strangers laugh.

So that’s my Misogi. This year, I’m committing to a five-minute stand-up open mic.

Today, I went public with my thoughts. Next, the jokes. More public offerings to come.