I totally get where that disgruntled person was coming from but it's true!
I think often we want to rebel against the 2 minute tiny habit idea because we have grander ideas and ambitions. And we think we need wide open undisturbed time to create. But a few mins a few days a week really does (annoyingly) compound.
The biggest game changer for me has been not keeping my phone in my bedroom. And doing my writing *before* I start scrolling and opening apps. I don't always achieve it as the phone addiction is strong! But I've been doing it for a few years and that morning writing time has transformed.
I think you're absolutely right that people sometimes rebel against the idea that just a few minutes a day can make a difference, because as you say, we do have grander ambitions! And we have this image of writing as being about sitting at our desks and writing our Great Novel uninterrupted for hours whilst sipping absinthe. Well, I have two cats and the idea of being 'uninterrupted' is such a non-starter!!
But I also think that there's a feeling that "just start a habit" is like "just do it" - easy to say but incredibly difficult to do. And if you're doing it without understanding how habits work, then yes, it can be incredibly difficult. But what I liked about Atomic Habits was how it breaks the process of forming (or breaking) habits into detailed steps, each one of which is fairly simple and easy on its own, but together they add up to something powerful.
And there we go again on the compounding interest model of creativity!
As for phones... you are so right. Early morning doomscrolling is such a bad habit and one I really need to break myself!
I just finished reading this book too! I loved what you had to say here about how writing isn't rewarding in the short term--that's something I'm really struggling with right now.
Nothing intelligent to say here beyond that I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad you took the time to write it. :)
The short term reward problem really is a difficult one. I do genuinely love the majority of the process of writing, so for the most part it is its own reward. But there are times when I have to rely on the 2 minute rule because I have something so thorny or boring or ugly to do that I just don't want to do it. Frequently, once I've actually started, then it's easier to keep going. But not always. Sometimes I just have to wait for the pain of not doing something to grow larger than the pain of doing it.
I totally get where that disgruntled person was coming from but it's true!
I think often we want to rebel against the 2 minute tiny habit idea because we have grander ideas and ambitions. And we think we need wide open undisturbed time to create. But a few mins a few days a week really does (annoyingly) compound.
The biggest game changer for me has been not keeping my phone in my bedroom. And doing my writing *before* I start scrolling and opening apps. I don't always achieve it as the phone addiction is strong! But I've been doing it for a few years and that morning writing time has transformed.
Great piece and reminder! Thank you 😊
I think you're absolutely right that people sometimes rebel against the idea that just a few minutes a day can make a difference, because as you say, we do have grander ambitions! And we have this image of writing as being about sitting at our desks and writing our Great Novel uninterrupted for hours whilst sipping absinthe. Well, I have two cats and the idea of being 'uninterrupted' is such a non-starter!!
But I also think that there's a feeling that "just start a habit" is like "just do it" - easy to say but incredibly difficult to do. And if you're doing it without understanding how habits work, then yes, it can be incredibly difficult. But what I liked about Atomic Habits was how it breaks the process of forming (or breaking) habits into detailed steps, each one of which is fairly simple and easy on its own, but together they add up to something powerful.
And there we go again on the compounding interest model of creativity!
As for phones... you are so right. Early morning doomscrolling is such a bad habit and one I really need to break myself!
Yeah you're definitely right about that ease perception. Then you compare yourself to others or even your past self and it can feel soul destroying.
There is just so much resistance at play that understanding how habits work and what causes us to 'fail' is super useful indeed.
Atomic Habits is a great book. I found it really helpful.
The 'streak' thing has worked well for me in the past too.
Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say. Particularly when you compare your own achievements to what you think you ought to have achieved by now.
Your break down of actions reminded me of what Austin Kleon says: "forget the noun, do the verb" (it's in his second book, "Keep Going").
I liked James Clear’s book and want to recommend another great read, Katy Milkman’s How to change.
Thanks Priya. I'll give that a look!
Good post. The habit thing definitely works and, as you say, is the opposite of the dreaded self-discipline
I just finished reading this book too! I loved what you had to say here about how writing isn't rewarding in the short term--that's something I'm really struggling with right now.
Nothing intelligent to say here beyond that I enjoyed reading this and I'm glad you took the time to write it. :)
Thank you, Sarah! That's a lovely thing to say.
The short term reward problem really is a difficult one. I do genuinely love the majority of the process of writing, so for the most part it is its own reward. But there are times when I have to rely on the 2 minute rule because I have something so thorny or boring or ugly to do that I just don't want to do it. Frequently, once I've actually started, then it's easier to keep going. But not always. Sometimes I just have to wait for the pain of not doing something to grow larger than the pain of doing it.