In 2021, I read James Clear’s “Atomic Habits”.
Evidence-based strategies for building habits to achieve your goals.
“Missing once is a mistake; missing twice is building a new habit.”
This is what happened with my writing at the end of 2023. I missed a week of writing, and then another week and the next minute, I had built the habit of not writing.
To help my weekly writing habit, I will apply the principle of just showing up. It doesn’t matter how long I write for or what I write about; I will write a blog to send out to my readers. My substack network is my favourite online network.
The example Clear uses in his book of just showing up is building the habit of going to the gym. You could go to the gym and walk in and out, but you’ve gone to the gym and have something to build on. The next progression would be to do an exercise or activity in the gym. Then, you may progress to longer workouts, but you’ve built the habit of going. If you miss a day, it’s a one-off, but if you miss another day, you’ve already broken the habit of going to the gym. This can be applied to any habit you are trying to build. If you want to read more, you start by reading for 5 minutes or reading one page of the book at the time of day that you have nominated that you will read.
Have you read Atomic Habits?
What was your takeaway from it?
What habit do you want to start?
It’s a great read! The identity bit is the part I remember most. “I am a person who prioritises their health” is now how I see myself.
And awesome stuff re just doing a quick post! Something is always better than nothing! And sometimes my short/quick posts have been up there with my best! Just. Keep. Writing.