What You Really Look Like
Self-Brain Surgery™ holds up the mirror
You don’t look like your goals, you look like your habits.
We’re in the first week of a new year, and statistically speaking, most of the folks reading this letter have already given up (or never started) the things they said they wanted to do as New Year’s resolutions.
Why does that happen, no matter how much we want to change?
The answer lies in how your brain operates, and in understanding what it takes to make real change happen.
And in terms of resolutions, we’ve had it all wrong the whole time. It’s not about goals, it’s about habits and discipline.
“You’re born looking like your parents, but you die looking like your decisions.”
T.D. Jakes, Disruptive Thinking
Implementing better brain habits is the path to creating and maintaining new synaptic connections in our brains, which then leads to automating better or more desired behaviors and outcomes in our lives, in accordance to the ninth commandment of self-brain surgery (What I’m doing, I’m getting better at).
See these two podcasts to refresh yourself on the ten commandments:
Here are the two best books* I’ve ever read about forming better habits:
Atomic Habits by James Clear (I love his weekly newsletter, too)
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard (one of my all-time favorite books)
This week’s newsletter is sponsored by Timeline
Mitochondrial dysfunction as we age has been linked to muscle dysfunction, decreased metabolism, decreased overall energy levels, and impaired resiliency. The compound that's key to keeping our mitochondria healthy as we age is called Urolithin-a, and it is lacking in most of us because of a change over time in our gut microbiota because of deficiencies in our Western diet.
Timeline is renewing this process and making our mitochondria better with their product Mitopure. It's power packed with concentrated Urolithin-a, and it will help you repair your cells, increase your strength, and become healthier. It's one of the things that Lisa and I take every day and you can check it out here.
Use the discount code LEEWARREN for 10% off your first order at timeline.com/leewarren.
Why Neuroscience and Scripture Agree: Habits Shape Your Life
From a neuroscience perspective, your brain’s plasticity—the ability to change and adapt—means that every thought you focus on and every action you repeat strengthens specific neural pathways. This is the basis of the saying, “Neurons that fire together wire together.” (Hebb’s Law)
Over time, habits become automated, requiring less conscious effort and creating the momentum that carries you toward your desired outcomes.
This principle aligns beautifully with scripture. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Your habits—the repetitive actions flowing from your thoughts—are what shape your identity and ultimately your destiny.
Paul’s words in Galatians 6:9 encourage us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Building better habits requires perseverance, but the rewards are life-changing.
The Call to Action: Start Small, Stay Consistent
The key to lasting change is to start with small, sustainable habits. Neuroscience tells us that even micro-shifts in behavior can lead to significant changes in the brain over time. Whether it’s taking a daily thought biopsy, spending five minutes in focused prayer, or replacing negative self-talk with truth, every intentional step rewires your brain for success.
This week, I challenge you to take one small, actionable step toward building a habit that aligns with your goals. Write it down, track your progress, and notice how even the smallest victories fuel your motivation.
Let Me Help You Stay on Track
If you’re ready to go deeper and get weekly performance boosts designed to help you transform your thinking, overcome obstacles, and sustain momentum, consider becoming a paid subscriber to my newsletter. For just a few dollars a month, you’ll gain exclusive access to neuroscience-backed strategies, faith-based insights, and practical tools to align your habits with the life you truly want.
You don’t look like your goals; you look like your habits. Let’s start building the life you’ve always wanted—one thought and one action at a time.
Click the button below to upgrade your subscription and join me on this journey to becoming healthier, feeling better, and living happier.
Together, we’ll make 2025 the year we finally get unstuck.
Be sure to check out the archive of previous posts if you missed last week’s letter.
Journaling is a helpful tool to specifically lay out your BRAIN goals, the action steps you need to reach them, and keep track of your progress. I use this PRODUCTIVE WEEKS planner* to map out my projects, podcasts, and books. I used it every day in 2024 as I sketched out and wrote my upcoming book, The Self-Brain Surgery Handbook.
I’ve created a free BRAIN Goals™ Guide for you! It will help you align your mindset to your mission and set goals to make 2025 your best year yet!
Will You Share Your Story?
Your story of transformation could inspire someone to take the first step toward hope and healing. If Self-Brain Surgery™ has impacted you, please share your testimonial with us by clicking the box below:
Share this message with someone who needs encouragement this week!
We’re going all in on believing that we have the tools to change our minds and change our lives. Living from a mind-down perspective changes everything, and it will help you harness the transforming power the Bible promises in Romans 12.
And the good news is, you can start today.
Be sure to check out the archive of previous posts if you missed last week’s letter.
If you need a treatment plan to help you overcome any kind of trauma, tragedy, or massive thing in your life, check out my latest book, Hope Is the First Dose.
Lisa and I are praying for you.
Dum spiro spero,
Lee
Psalm 71:14 ("As for me, I will always have hope.")
From the banks of the North Platte river on Moon River Ranch in Nebraska, USA
If you would like to support this work with a one-time gift, use the button below (Note: support for Self-Brain Surgery™ is not tax-deductible)
*These are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase this product we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you