Fun habit hack

Guess what!? I've been posting to my blog for 100 days straight!

It's something I've intended to do for a LONG time, ever since hearing Seth Godin recommend it for people who are ready to launch into "shipping" mode. Call it fear, call it self-doubt, call it laziness, or just hiding behind busy-ness... whatever it was, I decided to be done with it and just make it happen. Now it's a habit that has resulted in more connection (with myself, others, and God), more ease in sharing my voice, and an increase of creativity. 

While I'm super proud of the daily habit, I can't take full credit for making it happen. I actually probably would have stopped a long time ago if it wasn't for ... an adorable little owl. 

I know. Stay with me :) 

Right around the same time I was seriously thinking about actually doing the daily post idea, my teenage daughters were getting really into Duo Lingo. They kept talking about their "daily streaks" and how much fun they were having, and I decided to give it a try.

They were right! It was fun. I was learning little bits at a time, and showing up every day to do it. And if it looked like I was going to miss a day, this adorable little owl would pop up on my phone and remind me that I didn't want to lose my streak. Then I'd jump onto the app, do a lesson, and the little guy was pacified for another day. 

After about a week of this, I realized that showing up and challenging myself to do something new every day was actually not that hard. Then the mental lightbulb turned on. "Hmmmm. If I can have a daily streak there, then there's no reason why I can't have a daily streak for writing, too!"

At that moment, I decided to give the adorable little owl an additional purpose. He could also serve as a reminder of my goal. 

Fast forward 100 days later, and it's still working!

If there's something you've wanted to start doing and haven't been able to make it happen consistently, maybe give this idea a try! And you don't even have to use it for a new language, if that seems like too much (there's math, music, or even chess as well). 

I'll sign off before this feels like too much of an infomercial. Here's to the next 100 days!