In the fast-paced world of marketing, consistent content creation is more than a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. As someone who runs a marketing firm and frequently drafts and reviews content for clients, I know this all too well. And yet, when it came to making progress on my second book, I found myself stalled—paralyzed by the sheer scope of the task. I had the ideas, notes, and outlines ready, but I wasn’t getting the words onto the page.
That all changed during one transformative week—thanks to the Tiny Habits method.
Let’s be clear: I didn’t stumble into some productivity miracle where habits did the work for me. But what I did uncover was a powerful system, a repeatable framework that helped me move from inertia to action—and, in the process, write over 18,000 words in just five days.
A Week Without Travel—An Opportunity in Disguise
It started with something rare in my schedule: a week without travel. I seized the opportunity and blocked out every morning to focus solely on writing. But even with time set aside, I felt uncertain. Could tiny habits really help me achieve such a big goal?
As a certified Tiny Habits coach, I’ve taught others how small actions can lead to big change. But I struggled to apply it to something as massive as writing a book. After all, how could a habit like “write one sentence” lead to 15,000 words?
That’s when I realized: I wasn’t supposed to scale the entire mountain in one step. I just needed to lace up my hiking boots and take the first step forward.
Building the Foundation: Starter Steps
Before the week began, I implemented what I now consider foundational “starter steps.” These weren’t writing habits per se, but they primed me mentally, physically, and spiritually for the week ahead.
- Calendar Blocking – Just like earning a white belt in martial arts symbolizes the start of a journey, setting aside time on my calendar was a signal to begin. This simple act gave structure to my intention.
- Spiritual Preparation – As a person of faith, prayer grounds me. I spent the weekend in prayer, asking for guidance, discipline, and clarity.
- Breaking the Goal Down – My big goal was to write 15,000 words. That became 3,000 words a day, and further still, 500 words per hour. Suddenly, the mountain didn’t look so daunting.
Crafting the Daily Routine with Tiny Habits
The success of the week came down to a string of small, deliberate actions—each one a cue that propelled me to the next.
- Evening Routine: “After the clock hits 8 PM, I will get ready for bed.”
This habit ensured I got enough rest. Ironically, I woke up before my 4 AM alarm most days. - Morning Kickoff: “After I wake up, I will thank God for a great day.”
This simple moment of gratitude started my day on a positive note. - Devotional Time: “After I leave the bedroom, I will head to the sunroom for devotion.”
This spiritual centering helped me fight early doubts like, “I can’t do this,” and “What was I thinking?” - Focused Writing Setup:
“After my devotion, I will go to my office.”
“After I sit down, I will activate focus mode on all devices.”
“After that, I will set a 45-minute timer and begin writing.” - Celebrating Progress:
“After the timer ends, I will log my word count.”
“Then, I’ll take a 15-minute break, thank God for the progress, and ask for strength to continue.” - Evening Wrap-Up:
“After I lie in bed, I will thank God for the day and ask for support tomorrow.”
These actions might seem trivial. But they acted as dominoes, gently pushing me from one productive moment to the next.
The Results: Beyond the Word Count
Here’s how the week unfolded:
- Monday: 3,187 words
- Tuesday: 3,715 words
- Wednesday: 3,592 words
- Thursday: 4,092 words
- Friday: 3,656 words
- Total: 18,242 words
While I’m proud of that number, the true value wasn’t in the word count. It was in the transformation. I didn’t just write—I learned to trust a system. I experienced what it feels like to be supported by a framework that keeps you moving, even when self-doubt creeps in.
Each day brought new challenges. Monday was anxiety-filled, and I struggled to find rhythm. Tuesday was smoother, though doubt lingered. Wednesday was the messy middle—when resistance peaked. By Thursday, the momentum carried me, and on Friday, I had to stay grounded amidst the excitement of nearing the finish line.
The Big Takeaway
Looking back, it’s clear: tiny habits were the pillars that supported my seemingly overambitious goal. Without them, the structure of my week—and my motivation—would have collapsed. Each small behavior connected the dots between intention and action, and that made all the difference.
In the past, I might have chalked up a lack of progress to not trying hard enough. But now, I realize I wasn’t missing effort—I was missing a system. The Tiny Habits method gave me that foundation.
So, if you’re staring down a goal that feels too big to tackle, don’t focus on the peak. Start by putting on the white belt. Take a tiny step. Repeat it. Celebrate it.
And who knows? Maybe that one sentence you write today is the first of 18,000.