Keystone Habits and Getting Stuff Done

If you’ve never read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg (affiliate link), you should stop reading this blog right now, head to Amazon, and buy the book. Then you should come back and read this blog post while Whispernet shoots it to your Kindle or the shipping process begins.

Today I listened to the Andy Stanley Leadership podcast that referenced Duhigg’s book.  I’d forgotten how powerful keystone habits are.

Keystone habits are habits that trigger a series of related behaviors: You go for a run first thing in the morning, and that triggers eating a healthy breakfast, more energy, and more effectiveness at work.

When I was only doing sales, I found that if I make 5-10 cold calls near the beginning of the day, it focuses me on revenue producing activities the rest of the day.

Over the last couple days, I’ve been diligent in abiding by the daily routine listed above. If I commit to the habit of attacking the most important task of the day, then the rest of the day nearly takes care of itself.

Not only does more stuff get done, but more of the right stuff gets done.

What is your keystone habit? What is a habit that you have (or should have) that triggers related positive behaviors?