There’s a big difference between motivation and habits. Motivation gets you going, but habits keep you going. With an online business, there’s going to be times where you feel like nothing is working and you want to quit. Most people feel this way from one time to another. The people who succeed in building a profitable online business keep going when others quit. This is the key factor that sets apart the have’s from the haven not’s.
So, how can you use motivation and habits side-by-side to give you more chance of success. Here’s how!
Motivation versus Habits
The truth is we’re not always motiivated. We are at the start of something, such as in the New Year when we set our resolutions. But gyms take a 12 month membership for a reason. Statistics show that most will drop off by March!
The key is to insall solid habits which you can stick with for the duration, and make them part of your lifestyle. Most people go all gung ho with their new years resolutions which means they set their sights too high, and then can’t follow through. They feel like a failure, and end up giving up because they can’t meet their overly ambitious criteria.
Stephen Guise, in his book mini Habits suggests we do the opposite. Set a big goal, yes. But also make a micro commitment each day which means you build momentum over time and you don’t quit.
Mini Habits – a Micro Commitment To Your Big Goal
A mini habit is a micro commitment to your long term and much larger goal. But remember most people will quit a big goal rather than carry it to fruition. This is either because they don’t want it enough, or they don’t believe in it. Choose a large goal, and definine it very carefully. (See my earlier post on why cybernetic transposition is better than goal setting). Then set out a daily step you can take each and every day which:
- Builds momentum
- Reminds you of your big goal every day
- Holds you to account
One of the biggest reasons people quit a goal is because they aren’t held to account. Not only does a micro commitment build momentum towards you big goal, it also holds you to account.
