Small Habits That Create Big Opportunities [WRAP 163]

Hey Reader, I've been thinking a lot about momentum this week.

We're about 8 weeks into 2025 - how are those New Year's resolutions holding up? Whether you're crushing your creative goals or feeling a bit stuck, here's what I've learned: the key to sustainable progress isn't big proclamations or dramatic changes. It's small habits.

You know that feeling when your creative work is flowing and everything seems to click? It's amazing. But getting there? That's the tricky part. Especially when our initial motivation from January starts to fade.

💡 One Big Idea: Small Habits, Big Momentum

We all day dream of those breakthrough moments - the viral video, the big client that comes out of nowhere, the course that sells out, the newsletter that suddenly doubles in size.

But here's something I've learned after years of creating content: those "overnight successes" are usually built on a foundation of tiny, consistent actions.

Let me share a quick story. When I first started my YouTube channel, I would wait for inspiration to strike or try to batch create "when I had time" (spoiler: I never had time). It wasn't until I developed a simple morning habit that things started to change.

Here's what I do now:

1. The One Thing Rule

Every morning, I write down ONE thing I want to create that day. Not a massive to-do list, just one clear, actionable goal. It might be "outline next week's newsletter" or "record B-roll for the new video." Having that single focus helps cut through the overwhelm and build momentum.

2. The 15-Minute Review

Once a week, usually Sunday evenings, I spend 15 minutes looking back at what I created. What worked well? What patterns do I notice? This quick reflection helps me stay on track and adjust course when needed.

3. The Pomodoro Timer

When I'm struggling to start something, I set a timer for 25 minutes. Just 25 minutes of focused work. It's amazing how often those 25 minutes turn into a productive two-hour session once I get going.

4. The Win List

I keep a simple "wins" section in my bullet journal. Every small victory goes in there - from publishing a newsletter to getting positive feedback from a reader. These little celebrations keep me motivated when things get tough.

The key is consistency over intensity. You don't need to write for 8 hours straight or film 10 videos in a day. Start small, but start today.

👀 Video to Watch: Building Better Habits

Speaking of habits, I recently watched James Clear's talk about atomic habits and how they compound over time. It's a great complement to what we've discussed today. Watch it here or click below.

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📖 Quick Read: The Power of Showing Up

I love how Seth Godin talks about creative work in his book The Practice. He points out something that perfectly matches our discussion about habits:

This aligns well with my morning habit of writing down that ONE thing to create. Some days I'm buzzing with energy, other days not so much - but the habit itself keeps me moving forward regardless of how I feel.

Have a great weekend,

Matt Ragland

p.s. if you have a (literal) minute to share feedback, click here.