Are you one of those who set out year after year to start going to the gym, learn a new language, or write a book, but never manage to do it? Don’t worry! You are not the only one. Creating new habits and maintaining them over time can be challenging, but luckily, there is the Seinfeld Method.
Based on an anecdote from the famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld, this technique will help you achieve your goals through consistency. Seinfeld claimed that the key to his success as a comedian was consistently writing new material, even when he wasn’t feeling inspired. According to Seinfeld, he did not believe in inspiration as a source of creativity. Instead, he was convinced that perseverance was the key to generating new and quality ideas. To do this, he made it a rule to write every day, no matter how good he felt or how many ideas he had. The key is to focus on small daily actions and not break the chain of consecutive days in which you have completed the task.
HOW DOES THE SEINFELD METHOD WORK?
- Define your goal: choose a habit you want to create or a task you want to complete regularly. Remember that it should be something small and achievable.
- Get a calendar: look for a large, visible calendar, like a wall or refrigerator calendar.
- Mark your achievements: every time you complete the task, put a visible mark on the calendar.
- Chain the days: your goal is to create a chain of consecutive days in which you have completed the task. The longer the chain, the better. Don’t break the chain: if you can’t complete the task one day, you’ll have to start again from scratch the next day.
WHY DOES THE SEINFELD METHOD WORK?
- Encourage consistency: by focusing on completing the task each day, you become more consistent and disciplined.
- Motivates you to keep going: seeing the chain of consecutive days motivates you to keep going and not give up.
- Simplify creating habits: starting with small, easy tasks allows you to build new habits gradually and sustainably.
- It’s versatile: the Seinfeld Method can be applied to any type of habit or task, from exercising to learning a new language.
As Seinfeld himself often says, “To me, if life boils down to one thing, it’s movement. To live is to keep moving.”
Additionally, Seinfeld offers a series of TIPS FOR USING HIS METHOD:
- Start small: don’t try to change your life overnight. Start with a small, easy habit to achieve, and then gradually increase the difficulty.
- Be specific: clearly define the task you want to complete. The more specific it is, the better you can focus on it.
- Visualize your success: imagine how you will feel once you have achieved your goal. This will help you stay motivated.
- Reward yourself: celebrate your achievements, even the small ones. This will help you stay motivated and on the right path.
- Don’t get discouraged if you don’t complete it: if one day you can’t complete the task, don’t get discouraged. Just start again the next day.
THE SEINFELD METHOD IS A SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL TOOL THAT CAN HELP YOU CREATE LASTING HABITS AND ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS. If you are looking for a way to be more productive and achieve more in your life, try this method. Remember, the key to success is perseverance and never giving up.
I close with a quote from Jerry Seinfeld that perfectly summarizes his life philosophy:
“Keep your head up in failure and your head down in success.”
