There are so many things I want to do:

• Sew my own clothes

• Garden (and grow strawberries!)

• Draw / paint

• Learn a new language

In fact, I was obsessed with productivity and habits

Because I thought it’d help me have more time for my hobbies.

But after tracking my habits for 5+ years…here’s what actually helped.

Today’s sponsor is MYSELF 🤩

Check out my recent YT vid - sponsored by Mentorcruise! I used this mentorship platform last year.

Mentorcruise helps you learn faster, whether you’re looking to get ahead in your career or start a new business.

Especially helpful for ADHDers who need the accountability + body doubling of hopping on a call w a mentor.

Have a strong why

No system can be built without it.

It’s how I stay consistent.

Think abt it like this:

Sometimes I’m too shy to ask the waitress for more ketchup for myself…

But when my friend wants more ketchup,

I won’t hesitate to ask the waitress - just to help my friend.

It’s bc I value friendship and kindness.

(Maybe this is a people pleaser thing too lol.)

But when I feel a sense of purpose living out my values,

I’m way more likely to stay consistent with my actions.

Set structure + deadlines

I have daily, weekly, and monthly deadlines.

This makes sure I don’t just set a goal and forget about it.

(Although I still tend to do things right before the deadline,

Like how I’m writing this email the night before it’s supposed to be sent out.)

Daily deadlines:

• Journal (I yap to a voice note and it gets transcribed)

• Habit track

• Make my to do list for tomorrow

Weekly deadlines:

• Weekly reflection

Monthly deadlines:

• Monthly reflection

• Wrap up my goal for my hobby of the month

Observe common patterns

After filling out enough weekly reflections,

I started noticing things:

• I tend to procrastinate personal projects I had

• I would prioritize getting stuff done for other people

• I’d get super inspired and post tons of videos in 1 day, then do nothing for the rest of the week 😩

Here’s how I changed my habits to better align with this pattern:

• Created gifts for friends (i.e. if I wanted to practice drawing, I’d draw something for a friend)

• Signed up for classes and mentorship programs (I wouldn’t study by myself, but will show up to class to not disappoint the teacher)

• Created content the day I feel inspired, and scheduled out all the vids throughout the week (it looks like I’m consistent but it’s scheduled)

How to start (the easy way)

Take 2 seconds right now and think about a goal you have.

1. Why is it important to you?

2. Can you spend at least 5 min on it before the end of this week?

3. How can you pair it with something you rarely procrastinate on?

Til next Monday,

Jennifer