Yes I blame all these 6am starts on you Tim. I don't even need an alarm. Just roll over and grab some water and sit down to it. Last week I topped 1k reads on my posts for the first time. So I guess something's happening 🙏
What? Link in the comments?? But no, that's the cumulative total over the last 30 days. I think mostly driven by this one: https://shonistar.substack.com/p/dad-and-mum No new subs but a lot of 🩷, which is nice cos it wasn't easy to write.
I was talking to a friend last weekend. He said he'd come visit us on December 31st but not stay for the night. "Why?" I asked. He said "Because you're a damn junkie." And he was right - I'll get up at 6 am on January 1st and go for a 12 km run or to a pull-up bar (haven't decided yet). Being a sports junkie removes the option of saying "no."
From basketball in secondary school, I guess. I was an underdog, no, THE underdog. But a 12-year-old doesn't tell failure from success so I kept showing up at practice and made it to school captain two years later. My most important life lesson.
I just think you call things out - especially with the quote early on about oh I will do it in July then Thanksgiving etc … I’ve recently gone more what I call beast mode with my work as it’s the only way to get breakthroughs and I’m aware there are lots of quotes especially the one by Jocko regarding discipline but I’ve now caught the bug and am on a streak … hat 🎩 tilt to you
Thanks for this Tim. Super motivating. Two parts that particularly resonated for me: 1) removing the choice. I spend so much time choosing which of my many projects I'm going to work on next, and somehow never had the thought that just doing it daily would solve that problem. 2) keeping things fresh - it takes so much time and energy to return to a project after several days away. A thing I know, but still somehow trick myself into thinking it won't be that way next time.
I like the reminder to be willing to invest in learning from those who are doing it (and ideally killing it) with the proviso that you need to filter out the charlatans and snake oil salesman.
I am working on building a more effective daily stack (using some of your language) because I agree that if you don’t do some big daily then it’s easy (so easy) not to do it.
My fitness stack has been the easiest aspect to start as F45 has become a freakin religion with me (to use someone else’s term - a junkie).
Writing is how I think so one way or another I am always writing. The thought of monetizing this of course is on the table and as you would say again the daily habit is the ticket.
Working on two start ups with a great bunch of people (haven’t been an employee for 20 years) and enjoy the sense of execution but there is something missing around a desire to build something else such as a business or executive coaching offering (and this is where perhaps some investment is needed to get guidance from someone already successful in this sphere).
As for the financial side of things, would like to become more active in managing my asset list. Tim do you follow anyone in particular when it comes to finance and making the most of your allocations to different asset classes ?
Always thought provoking Tim and prodding us to build new daily habits.
I keep telling myself...No, Tim's too big a writer for his articles to be relevant to such a beginner like me", but I read this article and see, you proved me wrong. Yep, this is exactly what a beginner like me needs to do to make it as a writer today. Daily writing habit, Daily writing habit, Daily writing habit...My wife has a phrase she likes to quote: "Those who want something bad enough will find a way to make it happen, those who don't will find excuses."
Thank you for this Tim. Thank you. I remember learning about attrition in history class in high school, a term used to define the Battle of Verdun during World War 2. Without a decisive battle, it's a military tactic used to gradually wear down opposing forces by relentless use of your resources. I love your ideas about daily action or nothing at all. Some could deem it hustle culture but that's a myopic perspective. Daily action versus every once in a while is like a brick house with solid four walls versus one with two adjacent bricks and then 4 bricks on the opposite side. Daily means the stream of consciousness stays flowing. Viable minimums are the key to keeping it daily, a profound system that makes way for flexibility. I could go on and on but this post put me in the mindset of how to have structure even if your niche or interests don't necessarily require it. Show up, contribute to your craft, and continue because that's what gradually tears down your old life while simultaneously nurturing the fertile ground of your goal.
Thanks of this, I really appreciate it and resonate with it. I was a bit shocked by and gawked at the headline at first, but you're right. In looking for the best way that I can serve my audience, rather than the multiple big and grand goals and projects I am working on, I very recently decided that delivering a daily content piece with a personal recommendation about ways to experience the island I offer travel services to is a great way to really be of service, and its simple, far more simple than the major tours I create and days or weeks of production it takes for a YouTube episode. So again, thanks for your sharing. Respect and I look forward to reporting back with a success story.
Yes I blame all these 6am starts on you Tim. I don't even need an alarm. Just roll over and grab some water and sit down to it. Last week I topped 1k reads on my posts for the first time. So I guess something's happening 🙏
That's huge Shoni. Can you link to the article here?
What? Link in the comments?? But no, that's the cumulative total over the last 30 days. I think mostly driven by this one: https://shonistar.substack.com/p/dad-and-mum No new subs but a lot of 🩷, which is nice cos it wasn't easy to write.
I was talking to a friend last weekend. He said he'd come visit us on December 31st but not stay for the night. "Why?" I asked. He said "Because you're a damn junkie." And he was right - I'll get up at 6 am on January 1st and go for a 12 km run or to a pull-up bar (haven't decided yet). Being a sports junkie removes the option of saying "no."
I didn't know this about you. Where did you get it from Denis?
From basketball in secondary school, I guess. I was an underdog, no, THE underdog. But a 12-year-old doesn't tell failure from success so I kept showing up at practice and made it to school captain two years later. My most important life lesson.
I am beginning to see the truth in this consistency of daily writing
What made you change?
I believe the desire to make a difference was also part of it
As strange as this may sound, God put this on my heart and I think about it all day. I draft a few pages of notes every day
It’s something I think about at 2:30 in the morning almost every day.
🎯
What stood out?
I just think you call things out - especially with the quote early on about oh I will do it in July then Thanksgiving etc … I’ve recently gone more what I call beast mode with my work as it’s the only way to get breakthroughs and I’m aware there are lots of quotes especially the one by Jocko regarding discipline but I’ve now caught the bug and am on a streak … hat 🎩 tilt to you
Thanks Tim for sharing . 👍
No probs. Which idea did you like the best?
When you do something daily you remove the decision to start. - This is what the hidden gem and even see in my work as well .
Highy inspiring. Those who are not doing daily, they can never be called passionate.
This is the best article you've ever written (in my opinion). It expresses a fundamental principle in learning and mastering: daily practice.
Thanks for this Tim. Super motivating. Two parts that particularly resonated for me: 1) removing the choice. I spend so much time choosing which of my many projects I'm going to work on next, and somehow never had the thought that just doing it daily would solve that problem. 2) keeping things fresh - it takes so much time and energy to return to a project after several days away. A thing I know, but still somehow trick myself into thinking it won't be that way next time.
These are great points, Luke👍
Absolutely great article, applicable to everything in life that a person wants to achieve. A simple act, done daily, provides instant results.
Dream
Decide
Do
with Discipline.
I like the reminder to be willing to invest in learning from those who are doing it (and ideally killing it) with the proviso that you need to filter out the charlatans and snake oil salesman.
I am working on building a more effective daily stack (using some of your language) because I agree that if you don’t do some big daily then it’s easy (so easy) not to do it.
My fitness stack has been the easiest aspect to start as F45 has become a freakin religion with me (to use someone else’s term - a junkie).
Writing is how I think so one way or another I am always writing. The thought of monetizing this of course is on the table and as you would say again the daily habit is the ticket.
Working on two start ups with a great bunch of people (haven’t been an employee for 20 years) and enjoy the sense of execution but there is something missing around a desire to build something else such as a business or executive coaching offering (and this is where perhaps some investment is needed to get guidance from someone already successful in this sphere).
As for the financial side of things, would like to become more active in managing my asset list. Tim do you follow anyone in particular when it comes to finance and making the most of your allocations to different asset classes ?
Always thought provoking Tim and prodding us to build new daily habits.
I keep telling myself...No, Tim's too big a writer for his articles to be relevant to such a beginner like me", but I read this article and see, you proved me wrong. Yep, this is exactly what a beginner like me needs to do to make it as a writer today. Daily writing habit, Daily writing habit, Daily writing habit...My wife has a phrase she likes to quote: "Those who want something bad enough will find a way to make it happen, those who don't will find excuses."
So true. I awake at 4:00 and by the time 4:30 am rolls around I am ready to Write!!!
Thank you for this Tim. Thank you. I remember learning about attrition in history class in high school, a term used to define the Battle of Verdun during World War 2. Without a decisive battle, it's a military tactic used to gradually wear down opposing forces by relentless use of your resources. I love your ideas about daily action or nothing at all. Some could deem it hustle culture but that's a myopic perspective. Daily action versus every once in a while is like a brick house with solid four walls versus one with two adjacent bricks and then 4 bricks on the opposite side. Daily means the stream of consciousness stays flowing. Viable minimums are the key to keeping it daily, a profound system that makes way for flexibility. I could go on and on but this post put me in the mindset of how to have structure even if your niche or interests don't necessarily require it. Show up, contribute to your craft, and continue because that's what gradually tears down your old life while simultaneously nurturing the fertile ground of your goal.
When i had to make a decision on how often to post on my substack I ultimately chose daily, just to keep the rigor of doing it everyday in focus
Thanks of this, I really appreciate it and resonate with it. I was a bit shocked by and gawked at the headline at first, but you're right. In looking for the best way that I can serve my audience, rather than the multiple big and grand goals and projects I am working on, I very recently decided that delivering a daily content piece with a personal recommendation about ways to experience the island I offer travel services to is a great way to really be of service, and its simple, far more simple than the major tours I create and days or weeks of production it takes for a YouTube episode. So again, thanks for your sharing. Respect and I look forward to reporting back with a success story.