How To Get Back On Track
About 6 months ago, in May 2022, I started writing on the Internet, on LinkedIn and in this newsletter.
I started getting good feedback from people and sensed that the things I share actually help developers like yourself.
In September I stopped.
First it was being late to one issue. Then there were holidays, some personal things came up.
2 months went by accompanied by guilt, promises to myself to get back next week, and nothing happened.
Now I’m back.
It’s not the first time I stopped doing something I enjoyed and wanted to do.
Over the years, learning to get back on track determined if I succeed at something or drop it completely.
Here are 3 tactics that help me get back on track. They might help you as well.
1. What kind a person am I trying to become?
Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become
I love the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
One of the key ideas that speaks to me that you can only sustain new habits or doing something when you also change your identity.
For someone who wants to do more sports, it’s not only the habit of going to the gym. It’s the identity shift and seen yourself as a someone who works out .
By this token, writing this newsletter for me is not just the process of writing, editing and sending.
It’s also a shift in my identity. Seeing myself and becoming someone who
- takes time to read, reflect and think
- stand behind his commitments
- is there to help others
Reminding myself of the identity change and seeing a deeper purpose behind the my actions gives me another motivation boost.
2. Done is better than perfect
Usually with my newsletter, I have it finalized a few days ahead.
I then tease the next issue a day before the issue goes out to increase interest and get more subscribers.
I missed my own deadline this week and was torn between postponing to next week or sending it out without proper build up.
I decided that postponing for one more week is much worse than sending out the issue without prior promotion.
The benefits, in my situation, outweigh the cons:
- Sharing something valuable with you (the reason for me to do it in the first place)
- Giving me the sense of small wins (being back on track)
3. Leverage your friends and fans
After a week nobody noticed the silence.
But after a few more weeks I started getting messages from friends, colleagues, and readers I didn’t know personally asking if everything is alright.
Some even offered help getting back on track.
Personal connection and support from readers was a huge confidence boost and a reminder that what I do actually matters to someone.
Thank you to those of you who reached out!
To recap
Next time you stop doing something that you know you actually want to continue doing, consider those 3 points. It might help you get back on track:
- What kind of person are you trying to become?
- Done is better than perfect
- Leverage people close to you