Have you experienced a surge of motivation, engaged your mind in your aspirations, wrote a list, and wholeheartedly immersed yourself for a few days, only to find it challenging to maintain the same dedication consistently over time?

If this scenario resonates with you, then this blog is tailored to you.

Before writing this, I had entertained the notion of skipping today's writing session. Fortunately, my reminder to "write a blog" – meticulously scheduled – nudged me back on track.

However, I still found myself caught in a web of procrastination, a few distractions, and eventually attempting to write just before preparing to head out this evening.

It's a struggle many of us grapple with: cultivating the mindfulness required before achieving consistency. Often, we might find ourselves submerged in a cycle of initial failure, replaying it in our minds. This enabled us to gather any strength to begin anew. Before we realize, we’ve spent countless days, months, or even years, postponing the aspirations that have been beckoning us.

In my own words, short-lived habits are basically new habits that never seem to last or generate long-term goals. I find myself in this cycle and have been questioning why I lose focus so quickly.

So I asked ChatGPT, what are the causes of my short-lived habits? And I agreed with some and breakdown into what I think my current season is about,

Lack of Clarity

Although I was confident that this year would center around building a community, I found myself lacking a clear roadmap on how to achieve it. My only certainty was that I needed to engage more, attend communal events, and say yes more often. This led to a constant internal struggle between embracing the mindset of "YES, I'M TAKING ACTION!" and the frustration of questioning "NO, WHY AM I STILL HERE?"

Unrealistic Expectations

I'll admit to harboring ambitious goals, unintentionally breeding frustration due to the absence of immediate outcomes. Despite recognizing that this endeavor will unfold gradually, there's an inner craving for instant completion. Quite the opposite of cultivating #slowcreatives but right now it's a comforting realization that even amid unrealistic expectations, I'm still a work in progress!

Lack of Accountability

When there's no one to hold me accountable or monitor my advancements, I seem to slack away. Though I conscientiously check in with others, through SLC, I've come to understand the need for reciprocal accountability. At this juncture, I'm seeking a partner with whom I can share progress and setbacks as I strive to nurture the SLC community. If you know anyone, please reach out.

Having said all that, instead of pondering why is my progress sluggish, I'm adapting to inquire about the next actionable step. Slowly and surely, this could be how I can accomplish more long-term goals.

Right now, I am glad I wrote this and I hope it blesses you too.