How a Small Action Can Change Your Life!?

I used to hate writing! I was convinced I was terrible at it and would never improve, especially since my work is now in English, which isn't my native language. But today, I have a newsletter and many published articles. What changed? Let me share my journey from "I suck at writing" to "I love writing."

About seven years ago, I reflected on how to become a better practitioner and teacher of leadership and change. I realized that to develop my thoughts and practice in leadership development and leading change, writing was crucial. Not just for publishing, but for self-reflection (journaling) and articulating my ideas. So the first step is acknowledging that something you need to improve is truly worth your effort! If you're going to invest time and struggle through the improvement process (and every real improvement involves struggle), you'd better be clear on WHY you're doing it. As Nietzsche said, "She/He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

I also acknowledged that, objectively, I wasn't a great writer. But I embraced the growth mindset and decided that being a poor writer wasn't my destiny—it was just my current state, one I could change if I wanted. It was up to me!

I started small with regular practice. For me, that meant daily journaling, reflecting on the previous day's experiences. I began with just 2 minutes a day—small, manageable, not scary. If I had committed to writing for 30 minutes daily or to publish an article, the task size would have intimidated me, given my lack of skill. I might never have started! So, start small, but persist. Those 2 minutes gradually became 5, then even 20. I began developing my thoughts in new ways. Some ideas were so exciting that after a year, I started writing about democracy in my home country, Serbia. This eventually became my first published article in Serbian newspapers (link here). It took about a year from writing to publication, but when the opportunity arose, I was ready! You can use the same formula to start developing what’s important to you.

👇 Here's the formula I developed

1️⃣ Identify the area of improvement

What's one thing that, if improved, would dramatically help you become the person you need to be to reach your wildest dreams?

2️⃣ Identify the habit

Get to the action level. Identify either an existing habit connected to the change you want to make or a new habit you want to establish. This allows you to start practicing! Example: I want to become a better public speaker - Habit: practicing impromptu speaking

3️⃣ Make your habit practicable

It's crucial to start small! This makes the task less daunting and easier to fit into your schedule. Example: I want to become a better public speaker - Habit: practicing impromptu speaking - Practice: Set aside just a few minutes each day to talk on a random topic without preparation.

4️⃣ Reflect regularly

Journaling or reflecting on your progress helps you articulate thoughts and learn from experiences. It's a chance to debrief with yourself, see how far you've come, and determine needed adjustments.

🫡 Discipline over motivation

Just like anyone else, my motivation varies from day to day, or even during a day. Sometimes I feel like journaling in the morning, sometimes I don't feel that motivated. Motivation is too variable to rely on. Rely on discipline and habits! I made a promise to myself to journal every day, even if it's one sentence! So when I don't feel like it, I still write that one sentence at least. Often I keep going. Sometimes I just do that one sentence. But after a while, it became a habit. My journaling doesn't depend on motivation anymore, it's just something that I do every morning. It's a habit now. Motivation may get you started. Discipline (habit) keeps you going.

🏃 Action over perfection

And yes, I do miss a day or several days sometimes. Especially at the beginning, I would have days without doing it. The key is, when you notice you missed doing whatever new habit you are trying to develop, just go back to it and do it now! It's not about perfection, it's not about doing it every day from the start. You are developing a new habit, so it takes time! Be kind to yourself, but also keep yourself accountable.

You miss a day of exercise, you miss a day of reflection, it's ok! The moment you notice you missed it, get back to it. Or set a new reminder for tomorrow. The name of the game at the beginning is not perfection, it's bouncing back! It's about what you do when you drop that new habit for a day or a few days. Do you quit, or do you try it again? And you will drop it again, but guess what? By going back to it, you are learning how to bounce back, how to recover.

💥 Incremental improvement

Now, after years of journaling as my reflection but also writing exercise, I love writing. I can't tell you when exactly the shift happened, because it was such a gradual process. These small actions of writing, and later challenging myself to start a newsletter, got me to become a better writer and also created a habit of writing. It doesn't seem as intimidating as before. I enjoy it now!

And there is nothing special about me. You can do the same for any new skill or habit you want to develop. You just must escape the fixed mindset and understand that who you are and what you do today doesn't have to be your destiny! There are some things that you can't change, like if you are 1.70cm/5’7ft tall you will definitely not become a leading center for the Lakers (it doesn't mean you can't be a basketball superstar though - ask Muggsy Bogues or Spud Webb). BUT most things are up to you. Especially skills. Yes, you can become an amazing public speaker, guitar player, writer, leader, etc. You've got to start somewhere, and it's not going to be easy, and it might take time, but the great news is that it's possible and it's up to you!

⚡ Action Item

Identify one area of improvement and habit that you want to change or develop and commit to it for the next 21 days. Start with just 2 minutes a day, whether it's journaling, exercising, or practicing a skill. Focus on consistency rather than perfection. Remember, the key is to create a habit, not to overwhelm yourself with the need for instant success.

🎙️ Teresa Amabile: Track Your Small Wins to Motivate Big Accomplishments

Teresa Amabile's talk highlights the power of small wins in achieving big goals. By focusing on daily progress, even tiny victories, you fuel your motivation and build momentum. This consistent effort fosters creativity and resilience, turning small actions into significant achievements over time. Instead of waiting for grand breakthroughs, start tracking your wins, no matter how small—they’ll keep you moving forward.

Watch the talk here.