If you’re struggling to stay consistent with self-improvement, it’s not you that’s the problem. It’s not your fault; it’s the way we’ve been taught. In this episode, I’m going to show you why jumping from habit to habit is not failing and why it actually means you’re on the right track. With the help of ChatGPT and one simple mindset shift, you can make consistency feel easy.
In 2019, I was working full-time, studying in postgrad, and trying to set up a side hustle. At the same time, I was focused on building the perfect morning routine because I believed it was the key to success. Every morning, I forced myself to wake up early and complete an extensive list of self-improvement tasks: morning pages, meditation, gratitude practice, and exercise. Instead of feeling empowered, I felt overwhelmed and exhausted. My to-do list kept growing, and I lost momentum, eventually dropping these habits one by one. That led to self-doubt and the feeling that I had failed.
Looking back, I see that I was caught in a predictable self-improvement cycle: excitement, overcommitment, burnout, and then stopping. But stopping doesn’t mean failure—the real issue is the lack of a system tailored to your life.
The key to sustainable self-improvement is starting with your goal and building habits that support it, rather than blindly adopting habits and hoping they lead to success. I realized I was doing it backwards—stacking habits without understanding their purpose. Now, I approach things differently: I visualize my future self, identify the goals I want to achieve, and implement one habit at a time to move toward that vision.
For example, I wanted to be more creative, but my mind was cluttered with negative thoughts. I started writing morning pages—three pages of unfiltered thoughts—first thing in the morning to clear my mind. This simple habit directly supports my goal and has a ripple effect on my entire day.
I recently read Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, which explores why humans thrive on goal-driven action. He emphasizes that having a clear goal makes forming habits easier and more meaningful. When you know your desired outcome, you can choose habits that naturally fit into your life rather than forcing yourself to do things that don’t align with your objectives.
If self-improvement feels overwhelming, start by asking: “What do I want to achieve?” Instead of focusing on random habits, choose one that directly supports your goal. If you’re unsure, ChatGPT can help by clarifying your top three personal growth goals and suggesting habits that align with them. You can even ask, “What small change can I make today that aligns with my long-term goals?” Using AI in this way creates a personalized, structured approach to self-improvement.
When you focus on your goal, habits naturally follow. If your goal requires high energy levels, you might find yourself eating healthier without forcing it. The key is to align habits with your future vision instead of blindly following trends.
So, what’s one habit you’re doing now just because you think you should? Can you make it more goal-oriented? If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and subscribe for more insights on how ChatGPT can support your self-improvement journey. See you next time!