Finishing Strong/Starting Well
✉️ A letter from me about beginnings and endings
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Hey friend,
It’s hard to believe that we’re in December already! Today, we’re going to talk about how to use self-brain surgery to have the right perspective on endings and beginnings.
Before we dive in, it’s also hard to believe that we’re only 58 days away from the launch of my new book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery! It’s available for pre-order everywhere, and we have a bunch of great bonuses available for you if you get the book early:
New versions of the Thought Biopsy Worksheet and The Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery (SBS)
SOAP Notes and Documentation Downloads for your SBS practice
A 30-minute exclusive training video from me
Our Self-Brain Surgery Playlist you can use for your daily quiet time and SBS training
All Mixed Up
The close of a year can stir up mixed emotions. Some people feel grateful; others feel regret. Some are tired, some are hopeful, and most of us feel all those things at once.
But here’s the good news: your brain is designed to grow from reflection, not to be crushed by it. The way you think about the end of something directly affects how you begin what’s next.
Every December, you get a chance to perform a simple, life-changing operation, one that closes the book on what you can’t change and opens your mind to what you can create next.
✍️ For Free Subscribers: Something You Can Do Today
Endings and beginnings are mental constructs; your mind decides what they mean.
When you tell yourself, “This year was a failure,” your brain believes it and wires accordingly. But when you say, “This was a year of learning, and I’m stronger for it,” your neurons record that story instead.
That’s not just optimism. It’s neuroplasticity at work; your brain literally rewiring based on what your mind rehearses. The difference between shame and growth is which story you choose to tell.
So this week, perform a Thought Biopsy on how you’re describing your year.
Ask yourself:
What am I calling an ending that might really be a beginning?
What story am I rehearsing about 2026 before it even begins?
What if I decided to finish strong by focusing on what God is still doing, instead of what I think is done?
Remember Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
That means the story isn’t over yet.
Tactical Self-Brain Surgery: Rising vs. Falling
Remember that when the pressure is on, we don’t rise to the occasion, we fall to our level of preparation (hat tip to Chris Voss for this lesson). So, since you’re destined to face some pressure next year, make sure you’ve got a game plan for preparation
One of the best ways to prepare for stress- whether it’s the Big-T Traumas and Tragedies (and The Massive Things/TMTs, as we call them) - is to put some good words in your mind to recall when you need some truth to hold onto. I use daily Bible study for this, and you should too.
Next year, I’m reading a paper Bible. I’ve been reading digitally for a few years, since I love the highlight/copy/paste functionality, and this year I listened to the ESV version on the Bible app. But for 2026 I have an NLT version. You can read along with Lisa and me if you want! We’ll let you know what plan we’re using in the next couple of weeks.
I’ve got so much more for you when my new book comes out in about four months! You’ll be a master self-brain surgeon in no time.
Hit reply and let us know how self-brain surgery is helping you make the changes you need to make.
Be sure to check out the archive of previous posts if you missed last week’s letter.
Dum spiro spero (While I breathe, I hope),
Lee
II Timothy 1:7, “For you were not given a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.”
From the banks of the North Platte river on Moon River Ranch in Nebraska, USA
Disclaimer: This letter is for informational purposes only. It contains general information, drawn from my experience, research, and best practices. It is not health care advice, and is not intended to replace the counsel of your health care provider. Consult your provider before starting any new treatments or making changes to your health routine. This message does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship between us.
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🧠 Neuroscience Nugget
Your brain’s default mode network (DMN) activates when you reflect on the past or imagine the future. Healthy endings come from letting the central executive network (CEN) step in; the network that brings perspective, planning, and hope.
If you spend too much time replaying old failures, your DMN strengthens those negative patterns. But when you reframe the story and set an intentional vision, your CEN reshapes the DMN toward growth.
That’s how reflection becomes restoration.
Keep reading to go deeper!
