[Life-Changing Actions] Habit formation is difficult...

The catalyst that truly changed my life was undoubtedly 'habits'.

Since quitting my management position, I have challenged myself with various things, some of which I kept up with, and others I gave up on.
Among them, I have summarized the 'habits' that I, a person who easily gets bored, was able to succeed with!

😅 Failure stories

I am someone who has failed at numerous habit-forming attempts (lol).
First, let me introduce some past examples of failure...

Mercari (Side hustle)

I started using Mercari as a side hustle to sell unnecessary items for profit.
However, there were too many things to do, such as taking product photos, writing descriptions, shipping, and packaging, so I gave up.

Blog

I started running a blog using WordPress.
But day after day, the view counts didn't increase...
My heart broke quickly, and I quit.

YouTube posting

I became interested in video editing and tried it out right away!
It was a popular Zundamon video, but I gave up after getting zero views repeatedly.
Moreover, it took me about two weeks to make just one, and I thought, 'This is impossible.'

Web novels

I like writing stories, so I was posting web novels.
Unlike the others, this was going well, with people reading them and me getting on the rankings!
However, once the goal became monetization, I couldn't write what I liked anymore, and I put down my pen...
*I plan to write what I like without worrying about it in the future.

Illustration

I bought a pen tablet and wanted to learn illustration, but...
A week later, it became a black cutting board!

Successful habit formation

Although I have failed at habit formation more times than I can write here, there are some that I have succeeded with!

• Morning routine (waking up early)

• Reading

• Exercise

I, who used to fail constantly, have succeeded in forming habits and have somehow managed to keep them up for over half a year!!
So, I summarized the points I realized through self-analysis.

How I created my own 'habits' after half a year of practice

Before I knew it, waking up early, reading, and exercising every morning have continued for half a year, one way or another!

• Morning activities (waking up at 3:30 every morning)

• Reading (one book per week)

• Light strength training or walking

All of these were things that seemed too high a hurdle for me, who was originally a quitter...
But now, they have become such a part of my life that I feel 'uncomfortable' if I don't do them!

Wasn't 'willpower' the most important thing for habit formation?!

Back when I tried to 'do my best with willpower,' I usually ended up failing.
But then, I suddenly thought, 'Why not just create a flow where I have no choice but to do it?'

✅ Try creating a system (forced habit formation program)

For example...

• Can't keep up with exercise → Switch from driving to walking for my commute (I also got rid of my car)

• Want to do morning activities → First, go to bed early. Don't look at my phone at night, and don't make plans

• Prepare my favorite coffee as a morning reward

Instead of things you can only do if you try hard,
it becomes easier if you create a system where it 'just happens naturally.'

✅ The hurdle can be much lower (it's okay to take it easy)

For exercise and strength training, I decided to 'just do 10 reps' at first.
For reading, I made it 'okay to just read for 5 minutes.'
Even just that is enough to get a sense of 'accomplishment' for the day.

As you keep going, you actually start to feel uneasy on the days you don't do it.
Starting small actually has a surprising amount of power.

✅ Saying "I'll start tomorrow" usually means you won't do it (absolutely, definitely, never do it!)

In my experience, this has been certain.

• I'll start exercising tomorrow

• I'll start morning activities next week

• I'll change once the new year starts

If you rely too much on your "future self" like that, your current self won't move.
That's why I decided to make "this moment" the starting point.

Once you decide to do it, do it right now.
Take a small step within 5 seconds.
It doesn't matter if it's a holiday, a weekday, or the end of the year.
Do a little bit every day.
Just by doing that, you can change little by little.

Building habits is a bit lonely.

When you keep doing what you want to do, people might say things like this to you.

I've even been made fun of a little.

But I think this:
It's valuable precisely because it's something few people do.Don't you think?

If you do the same things as everyone else, you will only end up in the same place as everyone else.
Try walking a slightly different path.
I feel like the scenery of your life changes from there.

Promises to yourself are surprisingly easy to break.

That's why I sometimes make it a point to declare my intentions to others.

• Post a little something on social media

• Tell my family "I'm going to try this"

• Connect with people who have similar goals

Just doing that makes habits easier to maintain.
It's strange how peoplecan become stronger when someone is watching them.

In conclusion

If there is anyone out there right now thinking, "I want to change something," but "I'm worried if I can keep it up,"
there is something I want to tell you.

Changing is not difficult. By "simply changing" your actions, you will change naturally.
You don't need big goals. A small step is enough.

The habit you are about to start will surely support your future self.
I am still halfway there myself. Let's build it up together!!!!

📘 If you resonate with this, I would be happy if you could support me with a "Like" or "Follow."