January 6, 2025

The proof is in the pudding - in our action. Look, accomplishing some things can be hard. But as we've said here before, we focus too much on the goal. That end state. When we do that we focus on the big picture. When in fact, it rewards us more to zoom in and focus on the day-to-day things we do.

I write everyday. Therefore, I am a writer. However, if i focused my energy instead on not having a book that has been published, I am allowing that to do me a disservice. Yet we all worry more about way over there, instead of the here and now. How does a book get published? By writing two crappy pages per day. Doing that long enough, there will be a manuscript to edit and then a book to publish.

I solely base my success and achievement on if I show up everyday or not. On days when I write, I feel good. Each day I focus on making a positive contribution in my writing. All I control is today and not some unknown, distant future. Yet, to make that uncertainty more certain, I show up everyday and write. Over many days, it clears up any uncertainty that lives.

"The process," wrote James Clear, "and well-being go hand-in-hand." We feel good when we are making progress. So the goals you have for yourself for this new year, focus on how you can make it come true today. And what you need to do for that. It might be a personal goal or professional - we get there by the day-to-day choices we make. The action steps we take.

If you want to get in better shape, the walk around the block will help. Want to read more books? Then read in the cracks of your day - you know, as you wait for the meeting to start, or the doctors appointment to start, or while waiting for your kid at the pick up line. Want to save money? Bring lunch to work today and eat breakfast at home before leaving. Thinking you want meditation to be the center of your life, meditate for 2 minutes today. As James Clear added, the quality of life is significantly higher on days that I..." Go ahead, fill in the rest of that sentence.

What we really seek is not the end goal, especially with our inability to delay gratification. At this moment we all want the win, regardless of how small. That is how momentum is built and how we can get small doses of gratification. Just do the thing, each day and you'll see what I mean.