I believe that, in most cases, Something Is Better Than Nothing.

Usually, I apply this to my workouts. I have written before about A Bad Day Working Out is Better Than No Day Working Out. The reason is that even a bad workout is a vote for an identity that works out. Not working out is a vote against that identity.

Our actions, no matter how small, help reinforce or redirect our identity.

And our identity helps shape the actions we take. If we see ourselves as someone who works out, it is easier for us to choose to work out.

This idea extends well beyond exercise.

It includes posts.

 

I did not want to write this post.

It has been a long day.

I am tired.

And I didn’t have anything “good” ready to post.

I was tempted not to write a post today; to wait until I wasn’t tired and had something good to post.

That is part laziness (I don’t want to do it) and part fear (what will people think if I post something crappy?).

I chose to fight against both of those feelings.

I took the time to make a post.

And who really cares if the post is crappy? The millions of people reading this?  🙂

It will be OK.

It is more important to reinforce my identity to myself that I am someone who regularly writes and posts.

Do I care about quality? Yes. I believe that excellence honors God and inspires others (another maxim I will write about soon). I want my posts to be good. But when I use “good” as an excuse to not post, that is a problem.

In this case, Something is Better Than Nothing.

 

What is something you planned to do today but haven’t? Is there a smaller version you can do?

Maybe it is laundry. Dump the dirty clothes on the living room floor right now. You can finish tomorrow, but at least you started. Something is better than nothing.

Maybe you meant to read. Read one page before you go to bed. Something is better than nothing.

Maybe you meant to exercise. Put the phone down and do 5 push-ups, or 5 jumping jacks, or stretch for 2 minutes. Is it what you planned on doing? No, but something is better than nothing.

We can now both put a check mark next to it on our to-do list.

We did it.

High five.

I am proud of you. And of myself, too.