“New Mindset” didn’t stick? With good reason. Same reason that fresh haircut does not last forever:
Maintenance.
Without consistent upkeep, even the most positive, focused, read-to-take-on-the-world mindset will slide back into old patterns.
But there is good news – mindset maintenance is not just taking 5am ice baths, detailed journaling and living like a motivational poster.
Why Does Mindset Require Maintenance
If you are anything like me, your brain is like a browser with 23 tabs open. If you do not close some and refresh others, you are going to be running slower than your optimal pace.
Here is where daily habits come in strong. They are your refresh button – Small repeatable actions that help keep your thinking sharp, flexible and therefore focused on what matters.
Try a 2 Minute Morning Reset
I try and do this before I even touch my phone. Ask youself:
- What is my single top priority today?
- What is one thing that I can do today in 10 minutes or less in order to achieve this or more it forward?
Cutting through the noise and BS – you have now allowed your brain to set off on a purposeful track before the day’s chaos kicks in. That is, unless your 4 year old has just woken you up at 5.45am to ask why your not making your coffee yet!
Micro Reflections v Journals
Some people do benefit from long form journalling. It does not seem to work for me, feel natural and therefore is not my preferred method. But I tried it to reach the conclusion, so try what works for you.
Quick prompts, short form note taking and a less is more approach works for me:
Each evening, write down one win, one lesson and one next step for tomorrow.
Taking even just two minutes to build awareness and keep you from spiralling into a very vague but over familiar ‘I should be doing. better/more” thinking.
Narrow Your Inputs
Some refer to this as strategic input fasting. The idea being that you cannot maintain a healthy mindset if you are constantly flooding it with junk. Every day, try to give yourself at least one input-free hour. That is, no phone, no podcasts, no news, no work chat.
This will allow your brain to process and hit reset, instead of constantly reacting and fatiguing.
Feed Your Brain
Ensure you are giving your brain what it craves; genuine connection. Not Slack messages, or emjoi replies – I am talking actual conversation.
Call a friend. Talk to your partner without checking your phone. Even chat with the person behind the counter like a real human.
These authentic interactions will help to boost your mood, perspective and resiliance.
No More ‘Zero’ Days
Now I want you to ensure that you do something everyday that moves you forward; no matter how small, no excuses:
Read 2 pages of a book. Walk for 5 minutes. Send one networking message.
Remember that momentum compounds. Zero day’s compound also, but will not move you forward in the direction that you are looking for.
So Why Does This Work?
They are small actions. Easy to repeat without sucking the life out of you, requiring superhuman energy and draining all of your willpower.
They are intentional. These systems are built to protect your focus and importantly, your emotional energy.
They are also flexible. You can easily fit these into your real life without becoming an additional source of guilt.
Avoid The Trap
Do not fall into the ‘All or Nothing’ trap – Mindset maintenance is not about reaching perfection – it is about creating and maintaining a pattern.
Miss a day – no problem, we have all been there. Start again tomorrow. Do not miss two days though, otherwise you have just created a new pattern.
Think of your habits as your safety net, not a cage to trap you in.
Want a Kickstart?
Download the Free Momentum Starter Kit – with simple tools that will help you to:
- Clarify your priorities
- Identify and build habits without forcing motivation
- Keep your mindset in check with minimal effort
Smarter Goals. Sharper Mind. Fewer Excuses 
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