Three years ago, Dickie Bush, the founder of Ship30for30, gave me an unforgettable piece of advice.

I was just starting to get interested in online writing and had been running myself ragged trying to establish a consistent writing habit. But, like most beginners, I was making a lot of mistakes: I would post diligently for five days in a row, then falter and miss three or four days, which often led to completely falling off the program. This erratic pattern made it hard to build and maintain momentum.

Until one day, Dickie said to me:

"Never miss twice. If you skip a day, make sure you get back on track the next day."

That day, my whole life changed.

I've come to understand that maintaining consistency in writing isn't about perfect attendance or meeting ambitious word counts every day, but about adhering to the principle of "never miss two days in a row." The essence of this rule is to prevent a single missed day from spiraling into a longer, unproductive break.

Applying this rule across all my habits, I prioritize regular engagement over perfection. This mindset has made my habits more sustainable and forgiving, significantly increasing their likelihood of sticking. By setting realistic daily goals and allowing myself to bounce back quickly after a missed day, I have greatly enhanced both my productivity and my enjoyment of the writing process. It's not about never failing; it's about ensuring that one missed opportunity doesn't become a pattern.

This month, as I reengage with the Ship30for30 daily writing challenge, I'm putting this principle into practice. Although I missed posting yesterday, today I'm back on track with this post. Sharing this principle is crucial because it has transformed my approach to building and maintaining habits.

What is your best tip for forming new habits? Share your insights and strategies in the comments below!