Why Token Efforts Matter

Most people suffer from an all-or-nothing mindset. "I will either go to the gym for 2 hours or not at all." But the game is won by token efforts.

Closely related — I recently published a new video: Why Your Daily Habits Will Make or Break You. Go check it out!

I.

On hectic days, I will often do the bare minimum to comply with my habits.

For example, with my flossing habit, I might only floss a single tooth. Or, with my workout habit, I might just do three push-ups. Or if I am currently studying something, I might read just one sentence in a textbook.

I might do this for 10–20 habits that day, essentially "wasting" half an hour just checking off these items.

To most people, that seems bizarre. "Why do so little? There is no point."

But there is a point.

II.

The point of these token habits is that you are priming yourself. I am making sure that I am ready when the next "good day" comes around.

And it plays out exactly like this. When I have a less stressful day, I will do all the habits that I mentioned — because I do them every day. But now I will spend more time on them and actually make progress with them.

Now compare this to most people who skipped the token efforts. Will they ...

... work out?

... meditate?

... study?

... write?

... eat vegetables?

... work on their most important project in life?

The answer is "No." They didn't prime themselves. They will waste this "good day" away.

III.

At the core, this is a short-term vs. long-term thinking problem. Most people think short-term — "I need to make progress today." If that progress won't happen, they won't bother.

But the game is won in the long term. Your most important task is to never break the chain. The quota is not as important as showing up to practice every day.

Think long-term. On stressful, low-energy days, think, "My job is to uphold the streak, so I am ready when the next good day comes around."

That is how you win the game.

Short newsletter for a change. Well, it was a very hectic day. But a token effort was made.

Until next week,

Niels