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Comment by KVFinn | Hacker News Reader

I tried so hard to make Atomic Habits work for me. It was helpful, but I found also it really helpful to realize places where it doesn't work for me and I can get a lot of benefit from leaning into a lack of consistency.

Basically the experience this YouTuber explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2sS00egAzg&t=22s

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I found that the missing piece for me was simply being kinder to myself when I slip up on some habit. Like, I tell myself "chill out - so you didn't go to the gym today. You're set back by one day. Just try it tomorrow." Maybe it's similar to your leaning into lack of consistency.

Previously I was so hard on myself when I made mistakes or wasn't up to my own (very high) standards, that I would quit after a while because it was a horrible experience.

Now, no matter how many mistakes I make, I don't beat myself up about it and I keep trying the next day. And I am seeing that not only am I getting more things done, but I am actually enjoying life more day-to-day, which is the ultimate goal imo.

>I found that the missing piece for me was simply being kinder to myself when I slip up on some habit. Like, I tell myself "chill out - so you didn't go to the gym today. You're set back by one day. Just try it tomorrow." Maybe it's similar to your leaning into lack of consistency.

I totally get what you are talking about too. Sometimes I remind myself: "If it's something that is worth doing, it's still worth doing badly (Or inconsistently)."

I kept forgetting to read the damn book, and then I lost it.

Same with me, just couldn't get into the habit of reading a little bit of it each day.

I never got done reading 'Getting Things Done' either.

Very similar for me

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