How to Do Hard Things Every Day (May Focus Digest)
Welcome to May!
This monthly digest is for folks who want to create a more ideal schedule, get organized, and stay in control of the things that matter.
If you are new to the digest…here's what to look forward to on the first Monday of every month:
- A short article on a single concept around focus
- A couple quotes that we've enjoyed thinking on
- Links to interesting or related articles from our corner of the internet
If this sparks any ideas, I’d love to hear from you!
How to do hard things every day (like exercise, writing, deep work, etc.)
Twyla Tharp’s morning workout routine is an inspiration.
Not because of its intensity, but because of the simplicity.
Few people enjoy jumping out of bed and going directly to a workout. So, Twyla “cheats” by making it easier to get started.
In her book, The Creative Habit, Twyla shares that her morning workout routine is NOT to go to the gym. Instead, it is far more simple: wake up, put on sweats, go outside, hail a cab to the gym.
The thing she is actually trying to do — exercise — is not the thing she committed to do each day. Instead, she focused on getting herself out of her apartment and into a cab. Once she was in the cab and on her way to the gym, the inertia took it from there.
Here’s an example of how I use this in my own life:
I’ve found that the best time for me to write and do deep work is very first thing in the morning while my kids are still asleep. But — like many other people, I suspect — I don’t just pop out of bed in the morning ready to get after it.
And so, for my writing time, my goal isn’t actually to write for an hour. Rather, my goal is to be in the kitchen getting my tea ready by 5:45am. And I’ve found that once the water is boiling and things are in motion, it’s not so difficult to begin an hour of focused, deep work.
In addition, there is also something else I do the day before that helps even further. I prepare my writing station. I do this by having my writing topic and document already open on my laptop and setting it out on the kitchen table (which is where I write in the mornings).
For the important-yet-difficult habits of our lives — the ones that we all know are a bit more difficult to maintain every day — don’t focus on finishing. Instead, focus on starting.
Finally: A Simple Way to Build Your Habits (ON SALE)
Do you ever feel that tension of when you’re spending time on things you don’t really want to be doing, yet, at times, feel helpless to do anything else?
Or have you noticed how, when your actions and behaviors don’t line up with your vision and goals, then it causes stress?
Most people wait until a crisis happens in their life before they try to make any changes to their habits and routines. (Think: Money crisis, health crisis, relationship crisis, etc.)
But, with good habits in place, you can often avoid hitting a crisis, and your life is just easier. It may feel counterintuitive until you experience it for yourself, but good habits actually liberate our lives and give us more freedom and opportunity. The secret is in a little thing called routine…
As I’ve established healthy habits and routines for every area of my life, I’ve been able to keep them on track over the years (even without giving them my full attention).
That’s why we created this short and simple guide on how to build habits the easy way.
(Oh. And it’s 50% off right now!)
→ Goals Are Dumb
Find out what most people do when they try to make positive changes and what you should do instead.
→ How to Keep Score
If you’ve ever had a hard time actually building a new habit (or breaking an old one), we show you how to master the art of showing up.
→ Essential Habits
Not all habits are created equal. There are some key habits you may want to include when crafting your routines, as well as discover advanced techniques to help make habit formation even easier and more effective
Simple Habits Course — On Sale Today
Right now, our course on Simple Habit Building is on sale for half off. Normally $79, you can get it today for just $37.
Noteworthy Vids
- My minimalist approach to habit tracking
- My Interview with James Clear
- Example of how routine can liberate you for focused work
On a personal note, it’s time for the 2025 camping and backpacking season to begin. I have 7 trips planned for this year and can’t wait to get outside.
Pictured above is a photo of my campsite. Right on the bank of the Alpine Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Taken last summer during my first-ever solo backpacking trip.