A Productivity System That Stops Procrastination (No Zero Days)
Doaily
Doaily is my gamified to-do list system turned into a real app to help you stay accountable and get things done.
That sinking feeling is all too familiar.
The to-do list is growing, motivation is fading, and another day slips away with nothing accomplished.
The cycle of procrastination keeps you stuck, frustrated, and guilty.
We all want those perfect days. To wake up early, do a workout, eat healthy meals, work on a side hustle, stretch, study, follow a skin care routine, and then go to sleep, ready to do it all again the next day.
And if you haven't really achieved a perfect day in a while and you want it, going all in tomorrow will just set you up for failure.
It may work for a little bit, but it's too high of a standard. You will likely burn out trying to overhaul your habits all at once.
Instead of perfection, the No Zero Days concept gives you a simple base to build a sustainable routine.
It focuses on avoiding days when you make no progress toward your goals. Those days when procrastination takes over and you just get nothing done.
And so basically, the concept helps you make every day count, even if it's just a small step forward. It focuses on consistent progress, no matter how small, to keep you moving and prevent you from getting stuck.
No Zero Days Misconception
Before you take this as a little bit too intense, the concept doesn't mean you should never rest or take time off.
Rest is essential for maintaining long-term productivity.
It's not about burning yourself out. It's about maintaining momentum, even on your off days (more on this at the end).
With the right mindset and approach, you can make the No Zero Days concept a practical and lasting part of your routine.
//Start small
Do the bare minimum.
If you don't feel like working out, just do one push-up, pull-up, squat or whatever.
If you don't feel like writing, just write a sentence.
Most of the time, once you start, you find that it's easier to keep going.
What matters is that you do something toward your goals every day.
Just get started and momentum will follow.
Change takes time, just as how you didn’t get to where you are overnight.
Transformation is a gradual process.
When you're hesitating on doing something, try the Five Second Rule.
Simply count down from five and then take action. This quick technique can help you push past resistance and get moving, even when motivation is low.
Start small, build up slowly, and let your progress snowball.
//Love the process
And track the days that you do show up no matter how little progress you've made.
Create a stack of proof that you are a winner.
It's how video games make it so fun and easy for players to level up. They make you feel even the smallest wins and have some sort of way to show you how far you've come.
So, the point is, mark X's in your calendar, cross things off on a to-do list, or use an app to track your daily achievements.
Gamify it.
Make your progress tangible.
It helps for keeping your momentum.
//Rest
Even more so, rest is important to keep you progressing in the long run.
Again, the concept is not about burning yourself out. It's about maintaining momentum, even on your off days.
With fitness goals, rest days could be foam rolling, stretching, or light yoga. And instead of having a cheat day, just have a cheat meal.
With creative goals, you could just plan and reflect on whatever it is that you're building.
You can rest while still maintaining momentum by staying mindful of your goals.
//Outro
No Zero Days is a productivity system that actually works.
By starting small, you build up confidence.
You multiply that confidence by having something tangible to prove how far you've come.
Success doesn’t come from doing everything at once. It comes from doing something every day.
Start today.
Take that first step.
Make today a no zero day.
Renz
1. Get Doaily: a gamified to do list that will help you build a habit of making every day count.
2. Play Roguesphere: shove foes and conquer worlds with one finger!
3. Play Rainy Day: a financial casual education game.
//Supporters
Special thank you shout out to the following ongoing generous supporters of my work, making a difference in the world and mine.
- Laura Milligan
- Andrew Abrook
- Armaigne Rivero
- Fritz Rivero