Foundations
- Steve Carle
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Are you ready for a life-changing journey?
The best way to learn about wellness and leadership* concepts that can build hope, happiness, resilience and success is by practicing them.
Cardalyst introduces daily wellness and leadership concepts through a card-based format—available digitally and soon in physical form. Each card offers a quick, actionable challenge designed to build awareness and reinforce positive habits. Many of these are things you're likely already doing; the goal is to make them intentional and consistent.
Each card highlights a trait, behavior, value, or characteristic that supports well-being in at least one area of life. The real impact comes from practicing these concepts, so every card includes a challenge to help you apply what you’ve learned.
The Foundations card set is framed as an expedition—a journey with a theme, a clear objective, and a set of tasks to guide your progress. Like any expedition, it includes a map, milestones, and a guide to support and encourage you along the way. I’ll be your guide throughout this journey.
The theme of the Foundations Expedition are your essential needs. These needs must be met for you to not only survive but thrive. The concepts presented align with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs and Motivation (see diagram), providing a structured path to personal growth.
The wellness and leadership concepts are grouped by tiers—from basic survival needs to higher-level goals like love and belonging and self-actualization. Practicing concepts at each level prepares you to move confidently to the next.
What is the Cardalyst Foundations Expedition?
It is a free, self-guided or group-based wellness and leadership challenge built around 30 daily cards. Each card introduces a different concept and a simple activity designed to help you build positive habits, improve well-being, and strengthen your leadership skills.
How it works.
You complete one card per day for 30 days, with a suggested rest day each Sunday.
Each card presents a wellness or leadership concept and a challenge to apply it.
Activities are quick (usually under 5 minutes), but you can spend more time or add difficulty if you wish.
You can start anytime on a solo journey, or join a scheduled group event with guided support.
Group participants receive card links via email; solo participants follow the daily posts online.
This is honour-based—you’re accountable only to yourself. No reporting required. But if you complete all 30 days, you’ll receive a special acknowledgment!
Why should you give this a try?
There’s a wealth of scientific research behind these concepts, and I’ve distilled it into a format that’s easy to use and immediately applicable. Plus, I’ve added leadership development resources to help you grow—whether you're leading yourself or others.
It works! I’ve seen the benefits firsthand, and others who’ve completed past versions have shared how it helped them reduce stress, gain perspective on the things they have control over in their lives and build resilience.
Whether you choose the online version or the upcoming physical card set, your journey will be meaningful, engaging, and transformative.
Getting started.
Read the concept on the card.
Complete the suggested activity.
Track your progress using the printable daily tracker.
Enjoy the journey—your path to thriving starts here.
Feel free to invite others. Maybe someone in your life such as your partner, your child or a friend could use this right now.
*Note: I will use the term "leadership" as an over-arching term that refers to a continuum of one's self-leadership to the act of leading others. All of us are at some point along this shifting continuum at any time.
Deep Dive
If you want to learn more about this topic, there is plenty to learn through an internet search or AI platforms like Chat GPT.
Alternatively, if you prefer reading the source material; "Motivation and Personality", by A.H. Maslow.
Checkpoint: Something to consider today...
What personal and professional goals are important to you? Start a list.
Comments