A Thousand Miles, One Step: An Ancient Strategy for Building Resilient Habits

We all want better habits. We want the benefits of fitness, work, and creative practice that come from consistency. But habits are hard to build because they involve changing something about your life. And often your life is built around years of internal and external reinforcement, creating a powerful current you're forced to swim against.

The way to build resilient habits is to set yourself up for success. And on a basic level, the fastest way to success is to drastically lower the bar. You might think you want to run a marathon, but in reality, you just need to get out and run your first mile.

If you think about tackling an overwhelming task, you might never start. But most people can lace up their shoes and step outside for at least a few minutes. And the act of lacing your shoes with intention is itself a habit that can push you in a healthier direction.

This year, I am committed to living more creatively, starting with just 10 minutes per day of either writing or art. That's it. It's literally enough time just to practice opening my text editor and jotting down a thought, or getting my sketchbook and pencils out for just enough time to put them away again. And as I grow and flex this muscle, it may grow into something more. But it might not, and knowing that I showed up for myself in those brief moments is all I need to feel that success.

Have you had success with a New Year's resolution or building a new habit? I'd love to hear how you did it.