Stacking Dubs

This past week, we pulled off something big: Habits won the 1871 Fintech Summit pitch competition. Out of 46 incredible companies, we walked away with the win. I should be ecstatic, right? And I am—but only for a moment. Because we’re just getting started.

Jack Boudreau, Betsy Ziegler (CEO at 1871), and Veera Budhi

1871 Winning Pitch Deck

Use code “HABITS” to access our #1 voted presentation out of 46 globally distributed fintech startups.

Winning by Doing Less

Let me be real with you—last week was brutal. Habits snagged a big win, and yeah, that’s great. But it wasn’t because I worked myself into the ground. It wasn’t endless practice or some mythical grindset. It was about stripping everything down to the bare essentials and holding on for dear life.

We’re all drowning in bullsh*t—emails, meetings, to-do lists. And we’re told to just keep going, keep pushing. But here’s the truth: you can’t do it all. And trying will break you. Prioritization isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.

1. Isolation: Clarity in the Chaos

I’m not someone who loves sitting in silence. I’d rather be in a coffee shop, surrounded by students cramming for exams, book clubs debating their latest pick, or other founders working like their lives depend on it. But last week? I had to cut all that out. No phone calls. No Slack pings. Just me, a laptop, and the occasional existential crisis.

It’s uncomfortable to sit alone with your thoughts, but that’s where the real work happens. When you clear out the noise, you’re left with what actually matters. For me, that was figuring out how to get through the week without falling apart. Isolation isn’t glamorous, but it’s the only way to see the big picture when everything feels like it’s on fire.

2. If You Only Had an Hour

Here’s a harsh truth: most of what’s on your to-do list doesn’t actually matter. Last week, I didn’t have the luxury of endless time to obsess over every detail. So I asked myself, “If I only had an hour, what would I focus on?” That question saved my ass.

I didn’t waste time chasing perfection. Instead, I stacked small wins. Fix one slide. Nail one sentence. Get one piece of honest feedback. Those little moments added up. By the time the pitch rolled around, I had momentum—not because I did everything, but because I did the right things.

3. Stacking Wins

Winning isn’t about swinging for the fences. It’s about hitting singles every day. Some days, my “win” was stepping outside for a walk so I didn’t lose my mind. Other days, it was finally solving a problem that had been nagging me for weeks.

Small wins don’t feel sexy. They’re not Instagram-worthy. But they’re the foundation for everything else. You don’t need to conquer the world in one day. Just focus on the next step, then the next.

The Takeaway: F**k Perfection

If you’re picturing me as some startup superhero, juggling 15 things while delivering flawless pitches in my sleep, let me set the record straight. I spent most of the week alone (or with Veera) at the office, talking to myself, trying not to lose my mind. By all means chase perfection, grind, get after it, and work hard. Just don’t let the world bring you down to your knees once you hit that aha moment where you see perfection isn’t possible.

So here’s the deal: Stop trying to be everything for everyone. Pick your battles. Prioritize like your sanity depends on it—because it does. And remember, you don’t need more hours in the day. You just need to use the ones you have wisely.

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If you’re somebody on the sidelines or are not sure if a financial advisor makes sense for you or your family, just shoot me an email at jack@usehabits.com.

Or… visit our website and book time with us!