Whenever you start doing something new and keep with it for a few days you get a hit of positive vibes.
You feel good about the new thing, and you also feel good about the self-control you’re showing by doing it.
And then as the days go by the new thing becomes normal and the habit starts to feel more like an obligation.
This is true of diet, exercise, or even the practice of writing.
It’s only once you hit this barrier that you realize how deep the challenge of sticking with something over the long term will be.
Once you hit the first barrier it becomes alluring to think about new and different things we could be doing. “well I’ve blogged for 30 days, maybe I’ll switch and start a new challenge”
New things feel clear, simple, and legible.
When you’ve adopted a new habit, you’ll eventually hit a time when it doesn’t feel so good anymore. You’ll be tempted to give up and start some other new challenge. Never really leave your zone of comfort, just hopping from one thing to the next.
Real progress will happen when you commit to moving through the mud—putting in the work even though you’re uncertain or even though it’s not so fun anymore.
Big changes require identity change. And that process is not clear and straightforward. It is uncomfortable and happens in stops and starts.
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