A common scenario:
So you’ve decided on a new direction with a target. Something worthy of the investment of your time and energy. Quickly progress stalls because the end point or finish line task seems so far away that taking a day off ‘wont harm’. That day off soon turns into 2 or 3, and before you know it two months has gone by and every possible demand on your time has taken priority. Sounds familiar?

It doesn’t matter if this is a life ambition, a work target, or a health goal. The pattern is familiar. The frustration at a failed resolution and being stuck at square one is a burden in itself.


A more manageable approach:
In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear states, ‘you don’t rise to the level of your goals, rather, you fall to the level of your systems’ . . . 

So whether you’re trying to learn a new skill, study a new field, compete in a sporting event, lose body fat or upgrade your habits, developing fail proof systems is key to ensuring that next rung on the proverbial ladder is within reach, and that baby steps can be made easily on the path towards the greater goal.


A few things to remind yourself of – 
1. Micro-Habits are friction free, easily atainable, and small enough to do consistently on a regular basis (and defined schedule).

2. Multiple Micro-Habits form the framework for an effective system allowing for progression, slow growth and periodically measurable achievement.

3. Good systems hit targets and accomplish complicated, multifaceted and ambitious goals.


Putting together a comprehensive and realistic set of Micro-Habits helps to avoid overwhelm, and serves as a protection against apathy, inaction and procrastination. The act of breaking down the larger goal into tiny habits and small tasks serves to minimise the seeming enormity of your endeavour, highlighting each element as simple and small components that are easy to check off, and ultimately quelling the feeling of overwhelm and allowing for higher levels of self motivation as you progress through the individual and manageable tasks.


Try this:
Write down 3 micro habits that will form part of a general goal. Each of these should be closely related but independently achieveable.

For example, If you want to start working out first thing in the mornings –
1. Put gym clothes next to the bed 
2. Drive to the gym (just arrive no matter what, even if you don’t work out)
3. Do one exercise

Each one of these tasks can be performed independently of each other and in any order. Regardless of the fact that there seems to be a logical order, if you skip one, you can still complete the other two.


NOW – apply this techniqe to a new habit relevant to you and write down the 3 micro-habits that you’re going to start today.