Jerry Seinfeld once shared a simple piece of advice for building momentum: mark an X on your calendar every day you write. The idea is to “not break the chain.”
But what happens when the chain does break?
Not if. When.
It happens. We miss days. We get sick. We lose motivation. Life doesn’t ask if you’re in a good place to keep going. Sooner or later, the streak ends.
Here’s the real truth:
The goal isn’t never missing a day. It’s never missing two.
James Clear said it best: “Missing one day is a mistake. Missing two days is the start of a new habit.”
And that’s the difference between consistency and resilience.
When the Chain Breaks
There’s a moment when you realize you’ve fallen off the wagon. You can feel the disappointment. Maybe guilt. Maybe frustration. But here’s the key: don’t let a stumble become a spiral.
Missing one day doesn’t undo your progress. It’s not a reset button unless you treat it like one.
Restarting is a Skill
Think of it like riding a bike. You get better by doing it, but you really get better by learning how to recover after you fall. That’s where the real growth is.
Want to build habits that last? Learn how to start again—quickly, kindly, and without a shame spiral.
Here are a few ways to make that easier:
- Keep it small. The easier it is to say yes again, the faster you restart.
- Plan for interruptions. Assume life will get in the way. Build flex days.
- Track the recovery, not just the streak. Start a new chain.
Inertia Works Both Ways
In physics, inertia keeps a moving object moving. It also keeps a stationary object at rest. Productivity is no different.
If you stopped, it’s okay. It just means your inertia is pointing in a different direction. Change your vector. Take one small action to get going again.
Even if you only do five push-ups or write one sentence, you’re rebuilding the habit.
Because momentum isn’t just about speed. It’s about direction.
One Day is All it Takes
If you’ve broken the chain, you can start again. Today counts. One day of action can interrupt a streak of inaction. One choice can change your trajectory.
The best habits aren’t built on perfection.
They’re built on persistence.
Question: What habit could you restart today? Share your thoughts in the comments, on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
