The short answer
Choose one action that is easy to begin, attach it to a moment already in your day and decide how you will return if you miss it. Start with a repeatable action rather than a complete lifestyle change.
Choose an action, not an identity
“Be more organised” is a direction, but it does not tell you what to do after breakfast. “Write tomorrow’s first task before closing my laptop” gives you a specific action. Pick something connected to a goal you actually care about.
James Clear’s habit guide recommends beginning with a small habit and building gradually. The examples below are our own ways to apply that starting point.
- Reading: read one page after your morning drink.
- Planning: write one priority when you sit at your desk.
- Tidying: put away three items before leaving a room.
Make the cue and the minimum clear
Write: “After I ___, I will ___.” Choose a cue that happens reliably, rather than an ideal time that your schedule rarely allows. Leave the book or planning sheet where you will use it.
Set a minimum you can do on a busy day. A minimum is a way to begin, not a rule that prevents you doing more when you have time.
Review the setup after a week
Record whether you attempted the action and what got in the way. If it keeps getting missed, try a different cue or a smaller action. Keep the review about the setup rather than treating every missed attempt as a personal failure.
Seven days can help you test a routine. It is not a promise that the habit will become automatic in a week.
ONE SMALL ACTION
Try this today.
Complete this sentence: After [existing moment], I will [small action]. On a difficult day, my minimum will be [smaller version].
Add a task to my daily focusCommon questions
What should I do if I miss a day?
Return at the next workable opportunity. Check whether the cue, size or timing needs changing instead of doubling the task to make up for it.
Do I need to wake up at 5am?
No. Choose a cue that fits your responsibilities and leaves room for enough sleep. An early start is one option, not a requirement.
Sources and further reading
These sources support the information identified in the guide. The exercises and examples are suggestions from It Is My Year.
Links checked 4 October 2026.
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