Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it…

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📈 How to Make Progress (even if you’ve been stuck for months)

Let me start with a quick confession.

For the past four months, I’ve been so wrapped up in rebuilding my main business that I let this email list gather dust. The last time I sent a message was way back on December 23, 2024. That’s a long time to go silent, and honestly, I’ve missed connecting with you.

Maybe you’ve noticed the gap. Maybe you haven’t. Either way, I want to be upfront: life got busy, and I let this slide. I’ll share more about what’s been happening behind the scenes in a future email, but for now, I want to talk about something I was reminded of last week—a lesson that’s helped me get back on track. I think it might help you, too, especially if you’ve been putting off an important goal.

The Simple Question That Changed Everything

Last week, as I was beating myself up over my email silence, I remembered a question from Tim Ferriss that’s always stuck with me:

“What would this look like if it were easy?”

It’s such a simple question, but it’s powerful. It’s about looking at whatever you’re struggling with—whether it’s writing a newsletter, starting a workout routine, or tackling a big project—and asking yourself: What’s the simplest, most efficient way to do this? What would it look like if I took the easy route, instead of the complicated one?

For me, this was a game-changer. I realized that I’d been making the newsletter a much bigger deal than it needed to be. I kept thinking I had to write the “perfect” message, or share some earth-shattering insight. And because of that, I kept putting it off.

But what if I just made it easy? What if I sat down, wrote a friendly message, and hit send? No overthinking. No endless drafts. Just a simple email to reconnect.

So that’s what I did. I blocked off 30 minutes, opened up a blank document, and started typing. I didn’t worry about making it perfect. I just wanted to get back in touch and share something helpful.

And you know what? It worked. I finished this email in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom episode. More importantly, I realized how much I’d missed writing to you.

Why We Procrastinate (And How to Beat It)

Let’s talk honestly about procrastination. If you’ve ever put off a project, delayed a phone call, or ignored a goal for weeks (or months), you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too—more times than I’d like to admit.

Why do we procrastinate, even when we know the task is important? Here are a few reasons I’ve noticed in my own life:

1. The task feels too big.
    When something seems overwhelming, our brains want to avoid it. So we do other, easier things instead.
   

2. We want it to be perfect.
    Perfectionism is sneaky. It tells us not to start unless we can do it “right.” The result? We don’t start at all.
   

3. We don’t know where to begin.
    Sometimes the first step isn’t clear, so we freeze.
   

4. We’re afraid of failing.
    If we never start, we can’t fail—or so our minds trick us into thinking.
   

5. We’re just plain tired.
    When life gets busy, it’s hard to find the energy to tackle big goals.

The good news? You can beat procrastination. Here’s how I’ve learned to do it (and how you can, too):

1. Shrink the Task

When a goal feels huge, break it down until it feels almost laughably small.

Instead of “write a newsletter,” I told myself, “open a blank document and brainstorm 10 future topics to publish.”

That’s it.

Once you start, momentum builds.

2. Ask the “Easy” Question

Tim Ferriss’s question—“What would this look like if it were easy?”—is incredibly helpful. It forces you to strip away the unnecessary steps and focus on the simplest path. Instead of creating a massive project plan, just do the next easy thing.

3. Set a Timer

Give yourself a short window—say, 10 or 15 minutes—to work on your goal. Tell yourself you’ll stop when the timer goes off. Most of the time, you’ll find it’s easier to keep going once you’ve started.

You could try the Pomodoro technique, which many people love. Or the time tracking technique that I have personally used for 9+ years.

Either strategy will help you stay on task (even when you’re feeling that initial push of resistance.)

4. Lower the Stakes

Remind yourself that it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be done. You can always improve later. The first draft of anything—an email, a workout, a business plan—can be messy. That’s okay.

5. Remove Distractions

Put your phone in another room. Close unnecessary browser tabs. Let your family know you need a few minutes of focus time. Even a little bit of intentional quiet can make a big difference.

6. Reward Yourself

Give yourself a small reward for getting started. Maybe it’s a coffee break, a walk outside, or just the satisfaction of checking something off your list. Positive reinforcement helps build the habit of taking action.

7. Forgive Yourself for Delays

If you slip up or miss a day (or four months!), don’t beat yourself up. Life happens. The important thing is to start again. Progress is always better than perfection.

How I’m Using This Right Now

Let’s go back to this newsletter. After months of silence, it felt like a huge mountain to climb. But when I asked, “What would this look like if it were easy?” the answer was simple: just write a quick, honest message and send it out.

That’s all I’m doing today. Not aiming for perfect. Not trying to solve every problem in one go. Just showing up, sharing something useful, and moving forward.

And honestly, it feels great.

Quick Action Steps

Let’s make this practical. Here’s a bullet list of ways you can take immediate action:

● Pick one goal you’ve been putting off.

● Ask yourself, “What’s the easiest first step I can take?”

● Set a timer for 10 minutes and start—no matter how small the step.

● Remove distractions for those 10 minutes.

● Don’t worry about perfection—just focus on progress.

● Reward yourself for getting started.

● If you miss a day, don’t stress. Just start again tomorrow.

Remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to keep moving forward, one tiny step at a time.

Thanks for sticking with me—even during my long silence. I’m excited to be back, and I hope this message helps you take that first (small) step toward your own goals.

Talk soon,
 Steve

🗂️ The Resource Roundup

😧 The Fastest Way To Reduce Stress (In Seconds) - Are you breathing wrong—and could fixing it transform your life? This fascinating video breaks down the science of breathwork, showing how simple techniques can reduce stress, improve sleep, and even lower blood pressure in just minutes a day.

🧠 Never Overthinking [7 Tactics] - Do you find yourself stuck in endless loops of overthinking? This article shares 7 transformative strategies to break free from analysis paralysis, empowering you to reduce stress, boost productivity, and embrace bold action for a fuller, more present life.

🎯 How to Overcome Fear of Failure - Are you stuck in the cycle of overachievement but still haunted by the fear of failure? In this article, Nick Wignall provides a profound yet practical perspective on this common struggle, explaining why most fears are rooted in emotional avoidance rather than actual failure—and how you can break free by shifting your mindset and embracing key habits. This article is a must-read for anyone looking to build genuine confidence and reclaim joy in their pursuits.

Thanks for reading.

And I will talk to you soon.

Cheers,

Steve Scott 

— SPONSORED AD —

Imagine having all the tools you need to build small, consistent habits that lead to big changes over time?

With the whole Store Bundle, you’ll get an all-in-one collection of over 100 premium printables designed to help you master the art of building 1% habits.

Unlock your best self—one small habit at a time. The Whole Store Bundle gives you instant access to 150+ printable planners, trackers, and journals, so you can organize your life, crush your goals, and stay motivated every single day!

— END SPONSORED AD —