Restarting Productive Habits

Consistency.

I’ve written about this before.

The longer you’re consistent, the easier the task becomes. Matt D’Avela has a rule called “The 2-Day Rule.” If you’re trying to form a habit, do not let 2 days pass without performing the task. If you’re trying to build a daily writing habit, do not let two days pass without writing.

The longer the lapse, the harder it is to get back on track. I experienced this in my writing habit. At this point, it isn’t a writing habit. I have let my habit lapse well over the two day rule. I can say that writing is no longer a habit for me.

The good thing is that it doesn’t take much effort to restart the habit. James Clear has this to say about restarting:

“It only takes five minutes to break the cycle.

Five minutes of exercise and you are back on the path. Five minutes of writing and the manuscript is moving forward again. Five minutes of conversation and the relationship is restored.

It doesn’t take much to feel good again.”

If you have broken the habit of writing, it isn’t a big deal. Get right back into it without thinking of the lapse. That is the obstacle — the thought of failing to keep a consistent streak.

Life is a marathon. It’s the long game. Sometimes, we’ll be good. Sometimes not. Either way, it’s a learning experience.