Reset Your Life in 15 Minutes

Sometimes, we keep trying to change our lives but end up failing over and over again. It happened to me, too—until I discovered a simple approach for resetting my life. Since I started using this method, I can focus for up to 10 hours a day (which I keep track of here). Now, I’d like to walk you through the exact steps so you can turn 2025 into your best year yet.

This reset uses a five-phase roadmap inside Obsidian, a free note-taking app. This process helps you:

1. Design a new identity

2. Set up a better environment

3. Confront your worst-case scenario (Anti-Vision)

4. Prepare for obstacles (Resistance Planning)

5. Create a short sprint to spark real progress

If you’re interested, go grab it here (for free).

Below, you’ll find quick summaries of each phase and instructions for how to fill out the included templates—so you can start building your new life in 15 minutes.

I will also share my own answers so you’ll know where my mind currently is.

Ready? Let’s get straight into it!

If you’d like to see me going through the reset, I recorded a YouTube video doing exactly that!

1) Get Set Up

1. Install Obsidian

   • Go to obsidian.md and download it for your platform—it’s free.

2. Open the Phoenix Framework Vault

   • After you download my free templates (link below), unzip the folder.

   • In Obsidian, select Open folder as vault and choose that unzipped folder.

     

     “Open folder as vault”

   • You’ll see a structure with folders for each phase (1 to 5), plus daily and weekly check-ins.

     

     The structure of the Vault

3. Enable Plugins

   • Press Settings (gear icon) > Community plugins, then enable Calendar and Periodic Notes (both included).

   • Go to Templates in Settings, set the “Template folder location” to Phoenix-Framework/🗓️ Templates.

   • You’re ready to begin!

   

   Setting up a folder with templates

2) Phase-by-Phase Walkthrough

Phase 1: Identity Design

• What You’ll Do: Define who you are now vs. who you want to become.

• Action Steps:

  1. Open the “01-Identity Design” folder and create a new note (e.g., “My Identity Design”).

  2. Insert the “Identity Design Template.”

  3. Write 1–2 sentences describing your current identity and limiting behaviors.

  4. Complete the sentence “I am someone who…” to capture your desired identity.

  5. List 3 daily actions that would prove you’re living that new identity.

  6. Define your non-negotiable traits—the habits or behaviors you won’t compromise on.

Here’s my answer to Desired Identity:

And daily actions that would prove this identity:

1. Action 1: waking up early and working before my 9-5

2. Action 2: deep work sessions without distractions and sticking to the set out plan

3. Action 3: planning the next day before going to bed (before 9PM) - makes it possible to headstart the next day of work

Phase 2: Environment Audit

• What You’ll Do: Optimize your physical and digital spaces so it’s easier to focus.

• Action Steps:

  1. Create a new note, insert the “Environment Audit Template.”

  2. Outline your Morning Setup (e.g., make bed, move phone away, open curtains).

  3. Plan your Evening Reset (e.g., write in your journal, plan tomorrow).

  4. Set up your Digital Environment (e.g., uninstall time-wasting apps, turn off notifications, block distracting sites).

  5. Assign yourself an environment score from 1–10; each week, aim to raise it.

Tip: Leave your phone in the kitchen when you do deep work. A simple step like this cuts distractions drastically.

Here’s my answer to this exercise:

Phase 3: Anti-Vision

• What You’ll Do: Imagine your life if you do nothing differently. This is your worst-case scenario.

• Action Steps:

  1. Insert the “Anti-Vision Exercise” template.

  2. Think about the six-month consequences if you remain stuck.

  3. List the missed opportunities (e.g., “Never started that YouTube channel,” “Missed out on the AI revolution”).

  4. Describe the emotional cost (e.g. regret, shame, frustration).

  5. Write your Final Statement capturing why you refuse to let this future become real.

Here’s my answer:

Phase 4: Overcoming Resistance

• What You’ll Do: Identify the biggest reasons you quit (fear, comfort, distractions) and how to handle them.

• Action Steps:

  1. Insert “Resistance Planning Template.”

  2. List 2–3 forms of resistance (e.g., “I’m too tired,” “I need the perfect plan,” “I get lost on social media”).

  3. Write a counter-strategy for each. Here’s my strategy:

     • Comfort: “Set up daily live streams for accountability.”

     • Distraction: “Keep phone in another room, block social media in focus hours.”

     • Social Obligations: “Say no to events during a ‘sprint season’ so I have fewer excuses.”

Phase 5: Sprint Strategy

• What You’ll Do: Plan a short burst (like 6 weeks or 6 months) to make big progress fast.

• Action Steps:

  1. Insert the “Sprint Strategy Template.”

  2. Choose a start date and end date.

  3. Clarify your 1–3 main objectives (e.g., “Launch an AI journaling assistant,” “Post weekly on YouTube”).

  4. Outline your daily and weekly routine (morning focus, evening plan, weekly review).

  5. Decide how you’ll maintain or scale down after the sprint without losing gains.

My answers:

3) Daily Check-Ins

Once you finished filling out the reset templates, use the built-in Daily Check template from the vault to:

• Remind yourself of your identity statement

• Review your anti-vision for motivation

• Check your environment adjustments

• Plan your day’s top tasks

• Note any resistance you faced

Each evening, rate your progress and make quick notes. This keeps you aligned with the goals you set in each phase.

4) Ready to Reset?

1. Download the Vault and open it in Obsidian.

2. Spend 15 minutes today filling out the reset templates.

3. Kick off your Sprint Strategy and track everything in your Daily/Weekly templates. This will take 5 minutes daily but will transform your life. At least give it a try!

It’s that simple. By following these steps, you’ll get a clear vision, a supportive environment, and a proven plan to stay consistent.

Ready to make this your best year yet?

• Grab the Phoenix Framework Vault Here

• Let me know how your first day goes. Feel free to answer this email if you have any questions or completed the exercise!

I’m rooting for you to build the life you truly want.

Stay inspired!

Luke