Hey, Life with Justin Stephens community! Justin here, with a journal entry on the past week—it's been a whirlwind, but in the best way. As we document this journey of personal finance, success, business, sales, and marketing, these updates keep it real. My first week at WinCo has gone really well, shocking me with how much I enjoy the night shift. The handyman hustle is thriving too, and while sleep's a challenge, I'm seeing it as a productivity boost. Let's break it down, including a shoutout to my supportive parents.

First Week at WinCo: Hitting My Stride on Nights

Starting at WinCo as a freight clerk has been smoother than expected. The night shift (11 PM to 7:30 AM) fits surprisingly well—I'm getting in the swing of stocking shelves, organizing inventory, and keeping the store running. What I love most is knowing exactly what's expected: Clear goals make it easy to win as part of the team. It's a great lesson in leadership—most people don't know how to "win" in their roles, so defining it (like WinCo does) empowers everyone. Even as the low-cost leader, their focus on customer service shines through; we're encouraged to interact, help find items, bag groceries, or load cars. It's our job to make experiences amazing, no matter the role.

WinCo's ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) is a highlight—earning ownership just for showing up and doing a basic job like stocking is amazing. It aligns with my long-term finance goals: Steady pay now, equity for the future. If you're a late-night shopper in Meridian, I might even help you!

Handyman Hustle: Client Wins and Expanding Services

The handyman side is going strong too. This week, we prepped for a client's event—reorganizing spaces, power washing, yard work—and it went really well. There's more to do, and I'm diving in Monday with a new list. What I'm liking is how it's based on client needs—not just fixing things, but errands, spotting defects, and handling issues they don't have time for. If you're in the Boise area and need help accomplishing tasks, reach out—Justin's Handyman Services is here to assist!

Sleep Habits: Fitting Two Days into One

Figuring out sleep has been a bit of a challenge with the night shift, but I'm viewing it as a superpower—fitting two days into one for max productivity. I've been sleeping a couple hours when I get home, then napping before my shift. It's working, but the weekend was tough with the kids. Luckily, my parents have been incredibly supportive, helping watch them. Thank you, Mom and Dad! It really does take a village to raise kids and figure out life—they're the MVPs.

Reflections: Excitement for the Adventure Ahead

Overall, the week has me excited—the WinCo team feels right, the hustle is growing, and with family support, I'm balancing it all. It's a reminder that success comes from clear expectations, ownership mindset, and leaning on your village.

Why This Matters for Your Journey

Updates like this show how new roles (like night shifts) can fuel productivity, while family support builds resilience. In finance, ESOPs are a smart wealth-builder; in business, service focus wins clients.

At Life with Justin Stephens, we share raw Journal Entries like this, alongside Point of View stories, Life Strategy tips, Resources, and Great Causes to inspire your path in finance, business, sales, marketing, and beyond.

Call to Action: Subscribe at justindcstephens.com for daily motivation. If you're on nights or balancing hustles, share this post, and comment: What's your sleep hack?

P.S. Tomorrow, a Point of View post from a night shift pro on thriving in unconventional hours. Stay tuned!

To your success,
Justin Stephens