Originally Published as: Great Habits to Start Off the New Year
Randy Chaffee brings four-plus decades of experience to the post-frame and metal roofing industries. Author of #1 Amazon Best Seller “Asphalt and Algorithms,” he is a board member for the Buckeye Frame Builders Association and the National Frame Builders Association. Find his podcast at facebook.com/BuildingWins or call (814) 906-0001 at 1 p.m. Eastern on Mondays to listen in.
January doesn’t care about your resolutions. It cares about frozen ground, delayed deliveries, and crews trying to warm up their hands before swinging a hammer. That’s why the best habits to start a year aren’t big declarations. They’re the small, steady moves you build into your routine.
I’ve seen too many years start with a burst of energy, only to fizzle by mid-February. Builders, suppliers, reps — we’re all guilty. The folks who separate themselves aren’t the ones who yell the loudest about “new year, new me.” They’re the ones who quietly stack wins every day.
Stack Your Wins
A win doesn’t always look like a signed contract. It might be a clean safety record for the month. A young crew member learning to drive a screw straight. A supplier who delivers on time because you kept communication tight. Stack those wins. They compound.
The same goes outside of business. Getting your walk in before daylight? Win. Turning down the second helping when you didn’t need it? Win. Saying yes to family time instead of more paperwork? Big win. These stack up into the kind of momentum that carries a business season and a life forward.
Build the Right Business Habits
Builders know the work doesn’t stop because the calendar flipped. That’s why the right business habits matter. Here are a few to lock in early:
- Tradeshows and seminars. Don’t just walk the aisles. Block out time for at least one educational session. The guys who learn early in the year are the ones solving problems mid-season.
- Routine safety and sales meetings. Ten minutes at the start of the week keeps everyone on the same page and prevents small issues from growing into big ones.
- Equipment maintenance. Grease the hinges, change the filters, sharpen the blades before you need them. Downtime in July’s a lot more expensive than an hour in January.
- Onboard early. New hires don’t learn best under fire. Bring ’em in now while the pace is slower. Teach them right, let them get their footing.
- Supplier check-ins. Long lead times and material gaps sink projects. Call ahead, meet early, and get your ducks in a row now instead of waiting for crunch time.
These aren’t glamorous, but they’re the difference between professionals and seat-of-the-pants operators.
Keep the Personal Side Sharp
If your body and mind are running on fumes, it doesn’t matter how sharp your take-off numbers look. Health, fitness, and spiritual habits aren’t “extras.” They’re the fuel.
- Move daily. Whether it’s a morning walk, gym session, or just getting out of the truck and stretching at job sites, motion keeps you sharp.
- Eat like you need energy, not comfort. Builders burn calories, but sloppy eating catches up faster than you think.
- Quiet time. For some it’s prayer, for others it’s reading or reflection. Either way, it steadies your mind before you face the noise.
These habits keep you resilient when the season gets hard.
Show Up with Intent
Showing up with intent isn’t about hype or chasing a perfect day. It’s about being steady. Some mornings the weather’s bad, orders are late, and crews are dragging. Intent means you still walk in ready to lead, ready to adapt, and ready to do the work right.
We don’t get a practice run. Every day matters. Showing up with intent isn’t about pep talks. It’s about stacking small, steady wins. Do the work with purpose, take care of your people, and the rest follows.
“A win doesn’t always look like a signed contract. It might be a clean safety record, a straight screw, or a supplier who delivers on time. Stack those wins. They compound.” — Randy Chaffee
Tie It Together
The strongest builders and suppliers I know don’t separate personal from professional. They see the connection. A fitter body makes for a sharper leader. A steady business habit builds confidence that spills into family life. A small win at home fuels a bigger win on the job site.
Habits don’t silo. They weave together. That’s why starting the year with the right mix matters more than big speeches or lofty resolutions.
Closing
This industry doesn’t reward shortcuts. It rewards those who stack the right habits, day after day, through every season.
That’s why I wrote Asphalt and Algorithms — to put into words the lessons of a life spent pounding miles, shaking hands, and now adapting to a hybrid world. The tools change. The ground shifts. But habits? Habits carry you through.
Show up with intent. Stack your wins. Take care of your people. And keep building the kind of year you’ll be proud of when December rolls back around.
