How I, who lacked confidence, was able to look forward a little with a 2-minute daily habit

“Ah, I couldn't say it again...”

When stating my name over the phone,

or when speaking to a clerk at a convenience store,

the first word wouldn't come out.

When I tried to speak, I had the sensation of being blocked by something.

That feeling never went away.

After becoming a working adult, I began to gradually accept that I have a stutter, but I couldn't possibly have any confidence.

There are two things I have continued to do to raise my self-esteem.

Today, I want to talk about one of them.

It is,

keeping a planner.

“Oh, is that all?”

For those who thought that, I understand how you feel.

It's a common story written in self-help books everywhere.

But as I continued, things gradually started to change.

What I do is really simple.

Just before leaving work, in the two minutes before closing my laptop,
I look back at the “things to do today” I wrote the day before,
and put a checkmark next to the items I completed.
Then, I write down what I need to do tomorrow.

That's all.

This was something a senior colleague at my previous job used to do.

Every morning before starting work, they would open their planner to review the previous day and organize their tasks.

They were very capable and someone I truly respected.

'Today, I will at least finish this.'

It looked as if they were making a promise to themselves when they said that.

I tried imitating them, too. I didn't know if it would be effective, but I wanted to get even a little closer to their back.

At first, I thought I would quit after three days, but surprisingly, I was able to keep it up.

One reason I could continue is that it feels good to check things off. Even for the smallest tasks.

'Replied to an email'

'Created one page of a document'

No matter how small the task,

the feeling of having completed something starts to accumulate.

The next morning feels good, too.

Since I already know what I need to do, I can start working without hesitation. My mind doesn't spin in circles.

When people lack confidence, they inevitably end up counting only the things they 'couldn't do'.

Conversations where I couldn't speak well due to my stutter,
the awkwardness of silence

...those 'couldn't do' moments were the only things looping in my head.
But now, I think this habit was

the process of adding one small 'I did it' every single day

to that.

I am still continuing this habit today.

Compared to when I didn't do it,
I realized that the momentum at the start of my workday is different.

Since there is no hesitation, I can keep moving forward.
It was extremely effective for me.