How to Start a Simple Writing Practice
"Start with basic principles, go slow and build" — Seth Godin
If you want to jumpstart a regular writing practice, follow these steps to increase your odds at being consistent.
Set Up
- Find an anchor moment—an existing routine where you can tie your new practice as easy as possible.
- Think about ways to write something right after your anchor moment (brainstorm as many as possible).
- From that pool of options, select the easiest way to write something everyday.
- Think about a positive feeling you want to experience after you complete your writing.
- Think about ways to celebrate and experience that positive feeling (avoid external rewards).
- Select your favorite way to celebrate (i.e. doing a fist pump or saying "I did it. I'm sharper. I'm ready!").
Fine Tune
Retrace your steps and simulate. What happens before the anchor moment? How do you get there? Then what? Write a little something and don't forget to celebrate. This step is all about building muscle memory and adjusting to make it all simple and smooth.
Go
After your anchor moment, write a little something. Then celebrate. Then repeat.
- Celebrate: repetition does not create habits, emotion does.
- Don't make it perfect, make it simple.
- Don't think to write, write to think.
"No need to dumb it down. Simple it up instead." — Seth Godin, on "Dumbing it down"
A Shout Out to the Sensei
B.J. Fogg is the OG of behavior design. Much of what I advise you on this post was influenced by studying and applying his life's work.
Here are 3 resources you might enjoy:
- Watch How Celebrating Small Wins Can Help Form a Lasting Habit.
- If you're looking for a great nonfiction book, check out Tiny Habits.
- Learn about the simple yet effective Fogg Behavior Model.
Now you know you can use this to introduce sharpening habits into your life.
Alberto
P.S.: Leadsticks is my new leadership zine and your new issue is out now. Read the digital edition here. Subscribe here. Join the print edition waitlist here.
