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Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable advice from my personal experiences as a people and business leader.

Today’s Email:

Hey there, Trailblazers!

Today, we’re exploring the power of "Habits, Not Hacks" and how developing solid, consistent habits can drive both personal and professional growth.

What we’ll cover off:

1. The #1 habit that has fuelled my beyond busy leadership

   (Be sure to click the link to grab a free 2 week trial)

2. The power of habits and why they are more effective than hacks

3. Common pitfalls that leaders fall into when trying to "hack" their way to success

4. The principle of 'All or Something': The practical strategy for maintaining momentum even when full-scale execution isn’t feasible.

5. A step-by-step guide to building habits that will truly move the needle in your life and leadership

Quote Of The Week:

Trading busy for peace…

I used to pride myself on my ability to juggle a million tasks at once. I was the epitome of the "busy leader", constantly on the go and rarely taking time for myself.

At the time, it felt like the only way to get ahead. It wasn't until 2016 that I had a mentor who empowered me to prioritise myself.

I was feeling physically and mentally drained, struggling to keep up with the demands of my work and personal life.

That's when I decided to look for small habits to implement. After plenty of trial and error, about a year or so in I came across pliability.

A simple 15-20 minute daily range of motion routine. At first, it was a struggle to carve out that time for myself. But I was determined to make this habit stick, knowing that it could be the catalyst for something greater.

And you know what? It was.

6 years later, pliability is still a part of my daily routine.

This daily pliability routine (different every day, every week) became a time for me to press pause, remove myself from the noise, and focus on my own wellbeing.

As I experienced the benefits of taking that time for myself – increased flexibility, better posture, and a clearer mind – I began to crave it. It became a non-negotiable part of my day, a foundation upon which I could build other habits.

This is the power of habits, my fellow leaders. 

Forming this habit was a small step in the right direction and played a key role on my journey to “beyond busy” leadership.

Why habits matter;

As leaders, we're constantly bombarded with the latest productivity trends, time-saving tips, and "life-changing" hacks. It's easy to get caught up in, but the reality is that they often fall short in delivering lasting results.

In fact, research shows that only 25% of people actually make it past 30 days with a new habit.

And a study by the University of Scranton found that only 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.

Habits, not hacks are the key to real progress.

Whether it's a daily exercise routine, a consistent journaling practice, a habit of setting boundaries or even pliability (here’s a 2 week free trial), these small actions compound over time to create significant transformation.

The most important thing is finding something that brings you joy.
You can’t force it.

Where most leaders fail;

They chase hacks. 

This approach overlooks the foundational need for robust habits that ensure long-term success and stability. The problem with relying on hacks and shortcuts is that they often provide a temporary solution, but don't address the root cause of the issue.

Caught up chasing the "quick win," only to return to the cycle of overwhelm and burnout. Additionally, many leaders struggle to turn these hacks into lasting habits. They might try a new productivity app or time-blocking technique, but fail to make it a consistent part of their routine.

As a result, they feel frustrated and discouraged, further reinforcing the belief that they just don't have enough time.

Life always conspires to push us out of our best intentions.
The question is: how do we show up when that inevitably happens?

I’m glad you asked…

All or something;

This mindset shift is a game changer.

“Reduce the scope, maintain the habit”.
James Clear (author of “Atomic Habits”)

It's not about always hitting a home run.
It's about always showing up to bat.

Whether it's:

• If you can't run a km, take a quick walk.

• If you can't go to the gym, do some pushups.

• If you can't write for 90 minutes, write a word.

Instead of all or nothing, think "all or SOMETHING."

Reduce the scope, maintain the habit.

The Impact Action Plan

Today I want to help you START building and being intentional with your habits and truly move the needle in your life and leadership.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify Your Keystone Habits

Keystone habits are the foundational behaviors that have the power to spark a chain reaction of positive change. Start by reflecting on the areas of your life and leadership that you want to improve, and identify the one or two habits that could have the biggest impact. Tip: Find something that makes you smile.

2. Start Small

When it comes to building habits, it's important to start small and gradually increase the difficulty. Commit to a habit that you can realistically maintain, even on your chaotic days. This could be as simple as a 5-minute meditation practice, coffee in the sun or a daily gratitude journal.

3. Stack Your Habits

Habit stacking is the practice of linking a new habit to an existing one. This makes it easier to remember and integrate the new habit into your routine. For example, you could commit to doing 10 push-ups every time you brush your teeth. Next week we are going to dive into this topic in depth, so if you’re yet to… subscribe! 😉 

In Conclusion:

Habits (not hacks) are your ladder to leadership excellence. By shifting focus from seeking shortcuts to building a robust framework of daily practices, you empower yourself to lead with impact.

Habits empower long term growth.
Both personally and professionally.

Set the pace with the right habits, and the results will follow.

Keep on blazing,

Howard

Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:

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