You might adopt a diet to lose weight, a workout regimen to get fitter, a writing routine to finish your novel.
But you’ll never attain anything meaningful if your pursuits end after you reach the finish line.
It’s not about reaching your weight goal. It’s about staying there. No point aiming for riches if you’re just going to squander it all the very next day.
Seeking improvement requires ditching the habits that are holding us back. So it makes no sense to return to past habits once you reach your goals.
That means changing your eating habits for a lifetime. Not retiring from your passions. Adopting that new habit f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Don’t look at me like that. It’s not as dramatic as I’m making it seem.
Plus, the good news is that instead of going full-out keto or vegan, you can take it slow. Perhaps you could ditch the fizzy drinks. Or that daily doughnut. That’s not too much to ask. Which improves your chances of building a new life habit.
From now on, before you do something in the name of self-improvement, ask yourself: Will I be able to do this tomorrow? And the day after that? Forever and ever? Amen?
Because you won’t make significant progress through a one-month detox, the same way you won’t turn into an author just by participating in NaNo.
Your Friendly Malaysian Writer 
Yes indeed, maintaining and keeping at something that is meant to be good for us is for the long run.
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I would re title your blog to ‘Plan to do it tomorrow even when no one is watching’ hahaha, because that’s called showing up for yourself only! Thanks for this post!
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Direct and succinct and just what I needed to hear. My end-of-the-school-year hard-won weight loss got derailed by a combination of summer break (11 weeks without the structure of a workday) and our summer vacation (in the land of croissants, baguettes, and cheese). The only real good that came out of it – and I’m not discounting this – is that I proved to myself that I actually CAN lose the weight if I change my habits. Now it’s just about sticking to them. Onward!
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I definitely see the habit of those who go all-in for short bursts with their fitness. People must find the magic formula that works for them, but I think they’re setting themselves up for failure by posting each intense workout on social media. What happens so often is the pace is unsustainable, and then they end up quitting.
What I’m most proud of (more than the weight loss) in the seven years since I retired to focus on my fitness is that I’ve found ways to stick with it. Short and steady wins the race.
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Yes, so very true. Consistently is the name of the game.
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Makes perfect sense. And things that concern our health and well being are of the utmost importance to us all. Valuable information. Thank you.
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You are right, Stuart. When embarking on a self improvement project, taking it slow and steady is the way to go. And once on the way, “mind over matter’ keeps us going.
Best wishes.
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Good, practical advice.
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“Not retiring from your passions.” You’ve hit on something here that speaks to why many successful, career-oriented people people really struggle in retirement. You have to find something you’re passionate about that gives you a reason to get up in the morning…every morning.
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Fantastic advice! I need to read this on the daily haha.
Also, great job with the more frequent posting! That takes a lot of effort. I’m always thrilled to see another post from you on my feed :)
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True💯💯
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Fascinating again, Stuart. This is definitely going to make me rethink the way I do a few things.
I did, however, get dubbed as “perfect” on Sunday (I’m really not!) And I know of a few others who are envious of me. Isn’t it great how people perceive you when you are the master of your own destiny? 😉
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Amen, 100%.
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