7 Ways to Build Lasting Habits

Welcome to Actionable Insights, a weekly newsletter exploring health, mindset, and productivity!

In This Issue:

• How to build lasting habits

• A story about my creator journey

• Tool of the week - Asana,  a project management software

How to Build Lasting Habits:

Instead of focusing on goals, I like to focus on habits. Habits are the building blocks that allow you to achieve goals.

One habit that I've been developing is a daily journaling practice. Here are the lessons I've learned along the way.

1) Create a minimum viable habit

My ideal journaling habit involves 3 parts.

• 5 things I'm grateful for

• 5 things on my mind (brain dump)

• 2 new content ideas

But I don't always have the energy to do that, especially if I'm journaling at night. This is where the minimum viable habit comes in. My minimum viable habit is the bare minimum I need to do in order to complete my journaling practice.

This is my minimum viable habit for journaling.

• 1 thing I'm grateful for

• 1 thing on my mind (brain dump)

• 1 new content idea

This ensures that I can keep up with my journaling habit even on days when I lack energy.

2) Reduce friction

With everything I have going on, it can be easy to forget about journaling. To prevent this, I keep my journal and pens on my desk where I will see them as I get ready for bed.

This simple action ensures that there is no friction stopping me from journaling.

3) Link habits

Each night, I change into my pajamas, brush my teeth, take my medication, and set my alarm. These existing habits make it easy to add another habit into the mix. Before I complete the other habits in my nightly routine, I do my journaling session.

By linking new habits with existing habits, I ensure that I will journal as long as I complete the other habits. Since I have done the other habits for years, it's easy to remember them and my new journaling habit.

4) Optimize your environment

The purpose of my journaling practice is to clear my mind before bed and record a quick summary of my day.

To make journaling more relaxing, I prepare my environment.

• Dimming my lights

• Clearing my desk

• Using my favorite pens

5) Use a habit tracker

Tracking habits helps with measuring progress. Seeing a high number of completions is a huge motivating factor. 

I have used two different habit trackers — Done and Tally.

The main difference between the two apps is that Done resets your streak if you miss a day while Tally can be configured to not do that.

6) Implement accountability

Having someone who can help you stay on track is a game changer when building new habits. I have a friend who is also creating a journaling habit, so we often check in with each other. If you forget to do your habit, your accountability partner can remind you.

7) Bundle temptations

Pairing a more negative habit with a more positive habit is a great way to build the positive habit. For example, I only eat dessert on days that I exercise. By bundling my temptation to eat desserts with a beneficial habit like exercise, I decrease my dessert consumption while increasing my exercise.

Habits Recap:

• Create a minimum viable habit

• Reduce friction

• Link habits

• Optimize your environment

• Use a habit tracker

• Implement accountability

• Bundle temptations

My Creator Journey:

In late December, my twin brother gave me the idea to create content on Twitter. I enjoy writing and productivity, so I decided to create productivity content. After a few days on Twitter, I decided to truly focus on content creation by posting on Twitter and LinkedIn every day. Here what I've learned so far.

1) Connect with others

I've made lots of friends that I never would have met if I didn't create content on Twitter. Also, I can exchange valuable tips with my friends so that we grow together.

2) Focus on inputs, not outputs

It's easy to become attached to vanity metrics such as likes and followers. However, we don't directly control how many likes and followers we receive. If your numbers are slow to increase, it can be discouraging. That's why I like to focus on inputs that I can control. Some examples include how many tweets I post and how many DMs I send.

3) Learn copywriting

Copywriting is a form of persuasive writing that is used in marketing materials. Using copywriting makes your posts much more engaging. It's easier to convert engaged followers into customers. I will be creating a copywriting guide in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that!

4) Don't over-engage

I was so committed to building an audience on Twitter that I commented over 150 times per day for multiple days in a row. This led to a shadow ban that has been in place for over 9 days. Try to space out your engagement every few hours to avoid a shadow ban.

5) Analyze your content

Producing a high volume of content is essential for growth. However, the quality of your content also matters. Pay attention to which hooks, topics, and lengths perform best with your audience. Double down on those.

Creator Journey Recap:

• Connect with others

• Focus on inputs, not outputs

• Learn copywriting

• Don't over engage

• Analyze your content

Tool of the Week — Asana:

We all have tons of tasks to get done each week. That's why a project management tool is essential for everyone, regardless of whether you're a student, content creator, or working professional. Here are reasons why I like Asana. 

1) Multiple views

Asana's views include lists, timeline, calendar, and boards.

2) Customizable workflows

Asana enables you to use visual tools to connect teams, organize work, and streamline projects, all in one place.

3) Integrations

With over 200 integrations, Asana is compatible with your most-used apps, including Zoom, the Google Suite, Box and the Microsoft Office Suite. 

4) Automations

Asana's automations allow you to do things like assigning tasks, updating statuses, and changing priorities.

5) Reports

With Asana's reporting tool, you get access to customizable dashboards, graphs, charts, and time tracking.

Asana Recap:

• Multiple views

• Customizable workflows

• Integrations

• Automations

• Reports

Final Note:

I'm excited to start this journey of writing a newsletter that aims to improve your life. I look forward to sharing valuable insights on health, mindset, and productivity every Thursday.

If there's anything you'd like to see in this newsletter, feel free to reply to this email!

Stay consistent,

Simrun