Habits

What are habits, and why do they matter?

Habits are the tiny actions you do on autopilot.

They're the stuff you barely think about—the way you brush your teeth, check your phone, or re-lock the door even when you know you already did. But they're also the quiet engine behind every real change you've ever made.

The right habits stack. They pull you forward without needing constant motivation or decision-making. They make growth feel automatic, not forced.

The wrong habits? They do the opposite. They slow you down. They keep you stuck in loops that wear you out without helping you move forward.

You don’t need more hype. You need better default settings. That’s what habits are.

When a habit is locked in, you don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to talk yourself into it. You just do it. And over time, those small actions build something big.

That’s why habits matter. They run quietly in the background, shaping your energy, your focus, and your future.

What are the most common mistakes people make when trying to build better habits?

One big mistake is going too big, too fast.

People get motivated and try to overhaul everything at once—wake up at 5 AM, hit the gym, meditate, drink a gallon of water, all in one day. It feels good for a week. Then it collapses.

The other mistake? Being too vague.

If your habit goal is “exercise more” or “eat better,” it’s too fuzzy to stick. Habits need to be clear and easy to start. “Do ten pushups after coffee.” “Prep tomorrow’s lunch before bed.” Specific actions, not general intentions.

And when it doesn’t go perfectly? Most people quit. They take one missed day as proof it’s not working.

The truth is, habits aren’t about being perfect. They’re about being consistent. One skipped day doesn’t break the chain. Quitting does. If you keep things small and specific, you’ll make progress even when life gets messy.

What’s your personal philosophy when it comes to habits?

Habits are systems. And systems beat goals.

Goals are direction. Systems are the engine.

If you set a goal to run a marathon but never create a habit of putting on your shoes and running consistently, the goal won’t get you far. But if you build a process that works even when you’re tired or distracted? That’s how change actually happens.

Improvement happens when you stop chasing breakthroughs and start stacking skills. You stay consistent. You focus on effort. You track your progress. And over time, those tiny wins build something solid.

That’s the kind of self-improvement that lasts. Not hype. Not pressure. Just steady, repeatable progress.

What’s the best mindset for sticking with habits?

Rebound fast.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

Back in 2020, I tried to go all-in on lifting. I had the meal plan, the schedule, the belief that if I didn’t do everything 100% perfectly, it didn’t count. And that mindset wrecked my consistency.

One missed set? One skipped day? I’d throw in the towel for a week.

Then I realized: consistency beats perfection.

That’s when everything changed.

You don’t need to crush it every day. You need to stay in the game. You need to hit 80% consistently, not 100% once in a while.

If you’re building a new habit, focus on streaks. Focus on reps. Focus on the bounce-back after a miss. That’s the muscle that matters most.

Don’t wait for perfect days. Stack good ones. That’s what turns a habit into a lifestyle.

Book recommendations for building better habits

These are the books I recommend if you want to build habits that actually stick:

1. How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams

‍This one flips the whole “chase your goals” idea on its head. Adams makes the case for building systems instead. It’s funny, honest, and packed with reminders that failure is part of the process, not a reason to quit.

2. Tiny Habits by B.J. Fogg

‍If big changes feel overwhelming, start here. Fogg walks you through how to shrink habits down until they feel so easy you can’t fail. It’s a great reminder that momentum starts small.

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

‍This one’s a modern classic for a reason. Clear explains how habits are shaped by your identity, environment, and systems. If you want a clear roadmap with zero fluff, this is it.