#139 Habit Milestones

ByLukas
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The most important habit milestone is the center of gravity shift.

Initially, when you start building a new skill, your center of gravity lies with your old identity. You’re constantly fighting the pull of your old identity. And if you’d stop for even a day, you’ll get pulled right back into your old habits.

“If I don’t write today, what does that say about me? I’ve always given up in the past, and with this habit, it’ll be the same.”

The center of gravity shift happens when you’re about to miss a day and realize:

“It doesn’t matter, tomorrow I’ll start again anyway.”

When you’ve cast so many votes for your “identity of perseverance” you know that missing one day doesn’t equal giving up anymore.

When not writing for a day has become the exception, and when it happens, I get pulled right back into my writing habit.

Before the shift happens, when you’re still building self-trust, discipline is key.

But after your center of gravity has shifted to align with what you want to do anyway… you’re free.

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    #282 You can write every day

    ByLukas

    If you truly believe you can write every day – not that it is generally possible to write every day, but that YOU can write every day – you would be doing it already.

    So if you’re not, ask yourself:

    Do you believe YOU can write every day?

    If not, why not?

    Is it physically impossible for you to write something every day? A page, a paragraph, a sentence… a word?

    Deep down, you know the answer to that question.

    And now we’ve established you can write every day; what other excuses come up?

    That the work won’t be good?

    That the words won’t capture what you want to say?

    That you’ll disappoint others?

    That you’ll disappoint yourself?

    Put words to your fears, then ask yourself: what would happen if they all came true?

    Would that stop you from writing? Or would it liberate you?

    Would you maybe be just fine?

    What would it be like to have overcome your fears and still be writing anyway?

    Only one way to find out…

    Write. Every. Day.

  • |

    #116 Pursue or reconsider?

    ByLukas

    What would you still do even if nobody else would ever see or hear it?

    What do you secretly love but you don’t WANT anyone else to see or hear – out of fear of being judged?

    Both are good indicators of a passion – or an addiction.

    If it’s a passion, and it’s good for you (aligned with your values and goals and fulfilling): pursue.

    If it’s an addiction, and it’s bad for you: reconsider.

  • |

    #255 The method to your madness

    ByLukas

    Most people don’t see why you’re taking time out of your busy day to sit down and write until the book you were working on every day lies in front of them.

    They don’t see why you run every day and eat clean until you set a personal best at the next marathon.

    They don’t see the new product you’re working on until it’s developed so far that it helps them achieve their goals.

    You’re the only one who sees the method to your madness.

    And that’s fine.

    Because you probably don’t see the method to their madness either.

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    #84 Long-term Side Effects of Procrastinating

    ByLukas

    I can choose to procrastinate on a project for weeks – then finish it all in one go, right before the deadline.

    In absolute terms, I might have been very efficient with my time – but the time I saved, I spent frustrated with myself.

    The long-term effect on my self-image: I’m a procrastinator.

    What if I work a little bit on a project every single day – and have it finished well before the deadline?

    I might spend more time in total – but every day, every moment spent makes me feel good about myself.

    The long-term effect on my self-image: I cultivate an identity of discipline and consistency. I do what I believe to be good for me. I build character. Taking small daily actions towards a goal becomes part of my identity.

    What’s more: I avoid the frustration and resentment that comes with procrastination (=not doing what I know I should be doing), and feel good about myself instead.

    Long-term, the benefits of small daily actions always outweigh huge last-minute efforts.

  • #370 Skipping the writing is not an option

    ByLukas

    Once you’ve been writing daily for long enough, continuing to write is the easier option, more aligned with your habits and identity.

    Just like for most people, it feels more natural to continue brushing their teeth every day than to skip a day.

    But when you’re still building the writing habit, skipping the writing is the easier option.

    Which means it shouldn’t be an option at all — until it has become an option you’re not interested in anymore.

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