It was mid-January when I walked into Seth Prince’s office feeling both puzzled and saddened about the then-previous months of my journalism career.
I was struggling with my habits. My schedule was wonky and twisted, and — most importantly — my bed was never made. Those might seem like the two biggest issues, but I’ve discovered there is so much more to the finer things than what meets the eye.
“So, what happened?” Prince, director of OU Student Media and the Daily’s adviser, or as I know him, Seth, said while I sat down in his office.
To be honest, I didn’t know what was happening then.
Those few months, covering OU football and being a full-time student, were some of the most enigmatic, challenging and amazing moments of my life. On paper I was having success, but that all came crashing down due to my unruly habits.
“Honestly, Seth,” I replied, as I looked down at my shoes. “I don’t know what happened.”
To give some background on this, I was on autopilot at this point. I hit a point of struggle for, seemingly, the first time as a journalist. Sure, I’ve had struggles in the past but this is the most vivid memory I have of struggling in the profession my hair is on fire for.
I continued talking to Seth, analyzing what could’ve gone wrong. Then, finally, I stumbled across my answer: I was focusing on lofty, unreachable goals instead of the habits that led to a consistent identity.
My process was flawed, and — even worse — I was burnt out with journalism.
I had to go back to the basics. Before starting a new story or chasing any grandiose ideas, Seth advised me to read James Clear's “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones,” a book that helped me turn everything around.
Page by page, I started taking its words to heart.
“Success is the product of daily habits — not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”
I continued reading.
“You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.”
Jason Batacao in London during spring break of his senior year.
After reading 250 pages, things started to click. I realized small habits, whether it be making my bed, waking up before 10 a.m. every morning or setting up a Google Calendar, would help me organize my thoughts, rhythms and habits in a healthy way.
Next, I had to put my new foundation to the test. Story by story, I went into it without expectations. I found joy in the process, knowing that every feature was going to be what it’s supposed to be. I learned how to be happy with the boring because that’s where real success is found.
By March, things started changing rapidly. I found joy again, but this time it was built in with healthy habits. I found that success is rooted in the identity of who you want to be rather than the goals that you can set for yourself.
These are the kind of lessons that will make or break a reporter. I’m glad to say that I came out on the other side, but I know I will grow so much more as I continue my career in sports journalism as a beat reporter covering the University of Utah for The Salt Lake Tribune.
As I look back at my time at OU Daily, it's these moments — a growth period for any reporter or editor — paired with the culture of excellence, lifelong friends and pieces of work that I’ll cherish the most.
The Daily provided me with so many moments of grace, triumph and struggle, and that’s the beauty of OU’s student paper tucked away in Copeland Hall.
I will always remember the long drives — whether it be to Lawrence, Kansas, or Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series — with Colton Sulley, a person I will always call one of my lifelong best friends. During those drives we discussed story ideas, argued over which Frank Ocean song we should play next or why, dear god, I was playing Christmas music in October.
Colton Sulley, Jason Batacao and Louis Raser grab a photo in the middle of a weather delay during OU football's game against Kansas in fall 2023.
I will never forget spending hours grinding in the newsroom with Colton, while we wrote long-form features and played NCAA 14 in our downtime. I’ll never forget sitting in Seth’s office chatting about story ideas, discussing career goals and discovering how much I love this field.
I will never forget the rag-tag crew of Taylor Jones, Grayson Blalock, Colton and me when we used to watch Marvel’s “Moon Knight” in the newsroom while working on homework and finals during our sophomore year.
Those are some of the most potent memories among thousands that come to mind in the special place that is OU Daily.
I guess, now, I should start thanking people before this gets too long.
I’d first like to start off by thanking Seth: You’ve helped shape me into the reporter and person I am today. When there was struggle, you were there to talk. When there were triumphs, you celebrated my endeavors. I will always remember your office, wise words and the time you introduced me to James Clear’s “Atomic Habits.”
Next, I’d like to thank Colton: We’ve been through hell and back, brother. I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but our combined hunger and love for this field made us better and stronger both as friends and reporters. I wouldn’t be the type of person I am today without your guidance.
Jason Batacao with Seth Prince, Grayson Blalock and Colton Sulley at OU Daily's end of year gathering on May 4.
I send special thanks to Grayson, Taylor and Nick Coppola for being amazing friends. I appreciate Austin Curtright, Mason Young and Chandler Engelbrecht for being my mentors and giving me a shot to grow under their tutelage. I’d like to thank current sports editors Louis Raser and Gracie Rawlings; you both are so talented, so continue to cherish that and pass the torch down to the next generation after you.
To news reporters, Peggy Dodd, Karoline Leonard, Anusha Fathepure, Jazz Wolfe, Thomas Pablo, Ismael Lele and so many more, continue carrying on the standard of kicking ass. I’d also like to thank Nikkie Aisha and Mary Ann Livingood for being the most amazing copy editors I’ve ever been around.
I’m sure that I’ve missed someone, but there are just too many people to count.
To any future OU Daily reporters reading this, I give you some parting advice. College only happens once in your life, and if you want to be an amazing reporter, cherish every moment to find the tools necessary to find that success.
Just remember, success comes from your habits and the identity you chase, not the goals that you set for yourself.
It’s true, you can make anything happen at OU Daily. But, the true beauty of it all is how you cherish the process, embrace the growth and mold the publication for yourself.
As I close the chapter on my career at the Daily, I carry so many lessons, friendships and passions with me. But, I can gladly say that I’m so happy I struggled because it’s made me who I am today.
Evermore, I’m so happy all of that happened at OU Daily.
Jason Batacao is a journalism graduate with a history minor. He served as a sports reporter, assistant sports editor and senior sports reporter at the Daily. He previously interned with the Arkansas-Democrat Gazette and will be heading to The Salt Lake Tribune as a sports reporter covering the Utah Utes.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Karoline Leonard. Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
Read some of Jason’s work:
