How I Overcame My Struggles and Discovered the Power of Micro Habits

Real Culprit Is Not You It’s Your Brain

Life hasn’t always been smooth for me. I’ve faced plenty of failures that left me feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next. It was a frustrating cycle of setting big goals, losing momentum, and falling back into old habits. My mental health took a hit, and I felt like I couldn’t break free from the grip of my comfort zone.

But I refused to give up. Through deliberate efforts and self-reflection, I stumbled upon a simple yet profound concept that changed everything: micro habits. By focusing on small, consistent actions, I created a system that not only helped me get my life back on track but also stabilized my mental health and gave me a sense of control I hadn’t felt in years.

This journey eventually became the foundation for my book, “Silent Revolution: The Subtle Art of Micro Habit Mastery.” During my research, I uncovered a fascinating truth about why we struggle to change. It’s not laziness or lack of willpower — it’s our brain. Our brain resists change because it’s wired for survival, always trying to conserve energy and avoid anything that feels unfamiliar or effortful. But here’s the good news: we can work with our brain’s natural tendencies to achieve remarkable results.

---

Why Your Brain Resists Change

Have you ever wondered why trying something new or sticking to a big goal feels so hard? It’s not because you’re incapable. It’s because your brain is designed to keep you in your comfort zone. Over thousands of years of evolution, our brains learned to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary risks as a survival mechanism.

We resist or procrastinate big goals and tasks, feeling that tasks are too big or overwhelming, when something feels too hard, your brain seeks easier alternatives. When the initial push required to start a task feels so significant that avoidance becomes the preferred option. This is because we make the initial push so big and difficult in our minds that instead we just avoid the task entirely and, we tend to take the path of least resistance and participate in activities of instant gratification like distract ourselves with cheap dopamine inducing activities.

Long term procrastination leads to feelings of guilt. We decided to do something for example exercise for an hour daily, knowing you should be doing something too hard to start, but not doing it, we procrastinate and leads to guilt, which can build over time and turn into acceptance. This acceptance can then perpetuate a cycle of laziness.

In essence, procrastination is not necessarily due to inherent laziness but rather a combination of perceived task difficulty, the mental energy required to overcome inertia, and the emotional response to unfulfilled ambitions. Overcoming procrastination involves strategies that reduce the perceived effort of starting tasks as small chunks and leverage the principle that objects in motion stay in motion.

This is why big changes or goals often feel intimidating. Your brain sees them as threats and resists them by triggering self-doubt, procrastination, or excuses. But here’s the flip side: that same brain, which seems to hold you back, can also become your biggest ally. How? Through micro habits.

---

The Power of Micro Habits

Micro habits are small, manageable actions that require little effort but have the potential to create lasting change over time. They’re so subtle that your brain doesn’t even notice a shift, bypassing the resistance that comes with big changes. Instead of setting overwhelming goals, you focus on taking one tiny step at a time.

Here’s where the basal ganglia steps in. The basal ganglia is the part of your brain responsible for forming and storing habits. Think about brushing your teeth or tying your shoes — you don’t consciously think about these actions because the basal ganglia has encoded them as automatic routines. Micro habits take advantage of this process.

The basal ganglia operates on a simple habit loop:

• Cue: A trigger that signals your brain to start the habit.
• Routine: The action or behavior itself.
• Reward: A positive outcome that reinforces the habit.

When you repeat a micro habit consistently, the basal ganglia records it, making it easier to sustain over time. What’s incredible is that as this process continues, your brain begins to carve out new neural pathways — a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.

At first, when you’re learning something new, the conscious part of your brain (the prefrontal cortex) does most of the work. But as the basal ganglia takes over, the habit becomes automatic. This is how small actions grow into powerful routines that align with your goals.

---

How Micro Habits Help You Beat Resistance

Here’s the key: micro habits are so small that your brain doesn’t see them as a threat. For example, instead of saying, “I’ll exercise for an hour every day,” you start with a micro habit like, “I’ll do one push-up.” It feels so easy that it’s almost impossible to fail. Over time, as the habit becomes ingrained, you naturally start building on it.

This approach works because it’s aligned with how your brain is wired. Rather than fighting against your brain’s resistance to change, you work with it. And the best part? Once the habit is formed, your brain starts supporting it. Those new neural pathways strengthen, and what once felt hard becomes second nature.

---

Transforming Your Life, One Micro Habit at a Time

Big transformations don’t require massive leaps. They start with small, deliberate steps. Micro habits let you trick your brain into adopting new behaviors without triggering resistance. Over time, these small changes compound into significant progress, whether it’s in your personal life, career, or mental health.

This is the power of micro habits. They’re not just a tool for change — they’re a quiet revolution that allows you to reshape your life, one tiny step at a time. If I could use this system to turn my life around, so can you.

Take the Next Step with the Habit Shift Program and the Silent Revolution Toolkit

If you’re ready to create meaningful change in your life, I invite you to explore the Free Habit Building Program. This free 7-day micro habit maker program, “Silent Shift,” is designed to align your actions with your goals and help you build habits effortlessly. It’s a structured, actionable plan to kickstart your journey.

For those looking to go deeper, the Silent Revolution Toolkit is your go-to resource. This comprehensive guide supports the techniques in my book, Silent Revolution: The Subtle Art of Micro Habit Mastery, giving you the tools to implement the micro habit framework into your life. From habit-tracking templates to actionable exercises, the toolkit ensures that your transformation sticks.

Start Today: Take charge of your life, one micro habit at a time. Check out the Free Habit Maker Program and the Silent Revolution Toolkit and unlock the path to the future you deserve.

Ready to take the first step? Start small. Build your momentum. Let’s create a better future, one micro habit at a time.