1. Sam's avatar

    yeah I believe it is a familiar insight ,and you are well said.Each need each other.

  2. zelalemkassahun's avatar
  3. Sam's avatar

    A take at a time and you remind me of grace something I barely think of .I will be there…

  4. harythegr8's avatar

    This is quiet courage — not loud wins, but grace that kept walking through grief. Your words remind us that…

  5. camwildeman's avatar

How a failure set me up for later success

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

From Inconsistency to a 87– Day Writing Streak: How I Finally Broke Through



For the longest time, I struggled with consistency in writing. My longest streak was just eight days, and even that felt like a miracle. I’d start strong, convinced that this time I would finally build a lasting habit, only to miss a day, then two, and before I knew it, my momentum was gone. The cycle repeated itself too many times to count.

But now, I’m on a new 67– day streak—the second longest I’ve ever had. How am I finally breaking through? It wasn’t an overnight change but a gradual shift in mindset and approach.

1. Embracing the Lessons from Failure

Every failed streak taught me something. At first, I saw inconsistency as a personal flaw, but I realized that failure wasn’t the enemy—quitting was. I started analyzing what went wrong. Was I setting unrealistic expectations? Was I relying too much on motivation instead of discipline? These reflections helped me make adjustments rather than just feeling frustrated.So I kept writing the next day.

2. Lowering the Barrier to Entry

In the past, I treated writing like a major event, requiring the perfect setup or mood. If I wasn’t feeling creative or didn’t have enough time for an extended session, I’d just skip it. This time, I made a rule: Even if it’s just one to two sentences, it counts. Once I lowered the pressure, I found it easier to show up daily—and often, that one sentence turned into more.

3. Making It Part of My Daily Identity

Instead of thinking, I want to be someone who writes daily, I started telling myself, I am someone who writes daily. That shift made skipping a day feel unnatural. It wasn’t about forcing discipline but about aligning with the identity I was building.

4. Finding the Right Triggers and Rewards

I paired writing with habits I already had. Sometimes, I’d write right after playing NBA 2K, or after a meal. I also gave myself small rewards—whether it was acknowledging my progress or treating myself to something I enjoyed. Seeing my streak grow became a motivation in itself.

5. Accepting Imperfection and Moving Forward

Before, missing a day felt like starting over from scratch. Now, I don’t let a rough writing session or a busy day derail me. Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence so I immediately wrote the next moment I could.

What This Streak Means to Me

Reaching 87 days and going beyond wouldn’t  just be about the number—it will be about proving to myself that I can be consistent. It’s about learning to trust my ability to keep going, even when motivation fades. I know this streak will last, but I also  know one thing: I’ve finally figured out how to keep showing up, and that’s what matters most.

If you’re struggling with consistency in anything, know that failure doesn’t mean you’re incapable—it just means you haven’t found the right approach yet. Keep adjusting, keep showing up, and eventually, you’ll break through.

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Until next time.

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