Don’t Break the Chain

Discipline is one of the toughest traits to develop.  Making something a habit is one way to do it.  With affiliate marketing blogging is essential.  Whether it be taking pictures or video or writing informational articles, it has to be done consistently in order for affiliate marketing to be successful.  One of my greatest assets is the ability to write.  I am on a journey to share my failures and successes.  After a mega session of writing yesterday, I woke up with the urge to skip the writing today.  This is not an option.  I am trying to build a business and time is one of the greatest gifts I have.  I have to use it and be disciplined about creating content for my blog.  

I have decided to set a goal of writing 700 words a day.  I know that it will be a difficult challenge, but I think I’m up for it.  I’ve set up a “Don’t Break the Chain Calendar” in front of my desk to help me with this challenge.  Basically, it’s a piece of advice that I read about from Jerry Seinfeld.  When asked how he became such a good writer he explained he has a “Don’t Break the Chain Calendar” and he marks it every day after he writes a joke.  His challenge is to write a joke every day.  He marks the calendar and doesn’t break the chain.  He writes one joke a day.

I printed out a colorful calendar to look at and I found a red marker to make my chain highly visible today is day three and this article is my effort to be disciplined in writing 700 words a day.

There are other motivational tools out there as well such as motivational apps that track your daily habits.  My old school mark a calendar way is best for my train of thought.  It’s right in front of my computer, and it’s not one more thing to check on my devices.  Sometimes I need that break from the screens.

There are some great apps like Fabulous, Habitat (which gamifys your goals), Strides or Get Sh*t done.  They all come highly recommended but the paper calendar is going to work for me.

Don’t get me wrong I like technology a lot but remember to look at the app every day or having another notification is just not what I’m looking for in a simple motivational tool.  

I think I can pair this habit with walking 20 minutes a day when I’m done writing.  Except this works well for people who keep an ordinary schedule but usually, I’m a noon to 8 pm kind of work day which works well with my body clock.  

I’ve read that achievers are early risers but I know myself best.  I need to work in the midday to be at my most productive.  I can work very consistently in the afternoon to evening hours as long as I am persistent about it.  Persistence is the mother of discipline.  That feeling to keep going no matter what.  I’ve read the book “Grit” by Angela Duckworth although I don’t believe that grit alone can pull you through.  It is important especially to people who have just enough of the essential needs in their life in a stable condition.  I hate to mix theory but I feel Maslow’s hierarchy of needs plays a role in how much grit a person can have to deal with in their lives.  

To have some lack of those needs in life can give a person a lot of grit but too much lack can suffocate a person.   Although I really enjoyed the book “Grit” it’s not the complete picture for everyone.  However, it is a great instructional tool for me personally.

It will take a good amount of grit for me to write my 700 words a day but I know that with enough practice it can become second nature to me.  

This will be my ritual…

1. At 6:00 pm every night I will write out the title of what subject matter I’m going to tackle the next day.  I can begin to do some research, perhaps read a few articles but the important thing is that I set the intention for the next day.
2. I will clean off my desk after I write up my intention for the next day and make sure I’m ready to be productive without clutter so that my desk looks inviting.  
3. I will write in the same place every day so that I can become accustomed to my writing schedule.
4. I’m going to have accountability partners like friends to help me with my goal.  I need my blog readers, friends and family to hold my feet to the fire to get my writing done.
5. Have a special good luck ritual, meditation or for some people a little prayer to start your writing.  I think I will have a piece fruit every day to get the vitamins flowing in the system.
6. At 1:30 pm the next day, I’m going to go to my computer and start writing.  I will read articles sporadically to look up different information but I will not get up from my seat until I have written 700 words.
7. Write 700 words even if it’s bad writing just do it.  There will be gems in the process of doing the exercise the important thing is to let the writing flow.  Allow yourself to be human and not a superhuman writer every day.
8. Then I will check off my “Don’t Break the Chain Calendar” and go for a 20-minute walk to clear my head.

That is the plan going forward.  What sorts of motivational tools do you use to get into the habit of doing something important?  How do you help yourself persevere?  What are the ways you use grit in your life?  I would love to hear all about it in the comments below.