Brighter Futures: Making 2026 Better Than 2025

Podcast Description

In the final episode of 2025, Duane and Allie get real about what it takes to set yourself—and your martial arts school—up for a brighter, better new year. They reflect on big wins, tough lessons, and how to keep the fire burning after decades in the business. This is a candid, hopeful conversation about letting go of what doesn’t serve you, doubling down on what matters, and building a future that’s easy, lucrative, and fun (ELF).

Key Takeaways

Make Your Future Brighter Than Your Past: Don’t get stuck reminiscing or complaining—use your experience to fuel positive change for 2026.
The ELF vs. HALF Framework: Aim for a business that’s Easy, Lucrative, and Fun—not Hard, Annoying, Lame, and Frustrating.
Motivation & Burnout: Staying inspired as an owner takes real connection with students, families, and your own “why.”
Inventory & Elimination: Take stock of your systems, automations, and routines. Delegate, automate, or delete what no longer serves you.
Retention Over Replacement: Don’t just chase new leads—focus on deeper connections, leadership development, and community-building.
Action Management: You can’t control time, but you can manage your actions and energy.

Action Steps for School Owners

Reflect on 2025: What worked? What didn’t? What will you leave behind?
Set Clear Goals for 2026: What do you want to start, stop, or double down on?
Apply the ELF Test: Is every process, program, or promotion easy, lucrative, and fun? If not, can you fix it or let it go?
Reconnect with Your “Why”: Find fresh inspiration in student breakthroughs, family connections, and your own growth.
Streamline Communication: Use tech and AI to connect, but avoid white noise—make every touchpoint matter.
Empower Your Team: Delegate, automate, and build leaders so you can focus on what only you can do.

Additional Resources Mentioned

Dan Sullivan’s “Brighter Future” philosophy
Joe Polish’s ELF (Easy, Lucrative, Fun) and HALF (Hard, Annoying, Lame, Frustrating) frameworks
Brian Tracy’s Million Dollar Habits
Spark school management software
Allie’s mini course: Referral of a Lifetime