The struggle with productivity is real.
It’s one of the hardest challenges to tackle. Every attempt to sit down and focus often ends up being derailed by endless distractions. The lure of social media, streaming platforms, and other attention-grabbing activities is almost magnetic, pulling people away from what actually matters. It’s a common problem, not just an individual failing.
Think about it: the keys on countless keyboards are worn down from repeated visits to distraction hubs like Facebook or other digital indulgences. What’s more ironic is that these diversions aren’t even enjoyable most of the time—they’re simply habitual. They provide a fleeting escape, not lasting satisfaction.
This endless cycle of procrastination and guilt is why many roll their eyes at the ever-growing list of “productivity” tools and apps. Another app? Another digital task manager to add to the pile of existing obligations? It’s no wonder these solutions often feel like more noise in an already overstimulated world.
The frustration is universal. Many people feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of things they’re trying to juggle. This paralysis is so common that it sparks a sense of camaraderie among those struggling to make progress. Here are just a few sentiments shared by others who feel the same way:
I have so many things swirling in my head that I get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing.
I spend hours planning out what I need to do, but then I never actually follow through.
I constantly stop and start on projects, which leaves me spinning my wheels and going nowhere.
Sound familiar?
Hearing this from others is oddly comforting. It reinforces the realization that these struggles aren’t unique; they’re a shared experience. And, if this resonates, then you’re far from alone.
One common theme emerges: the inability to follow through consistently. It’s a barrier that prevents meaningful progress, whether in building a business, achieving personal goals, or simply improving daily life.
The real challenge lies in breaking this pattern. After careful reflection, it became clear that the issue goes beyond a simple lack of willpower. It’s about habits and the way individuals engage with their priorities.
The solution? Borrowing a method made famous by Jerry Seinfeld. It’s deceptively simple but profoundly effective: focus on showing up every single day.
By shifting focus from grand plans to consistent, small actions, it’s possible to build momentum and achieve meaningful progress. This method—combined with intentional adjustments to daily habits—has been transformative for countless high achievers. It’s how some of the top 1% manage to consistently move forward, turning ideas into reality while others get stuck in cycles of procrastination and self-doubt.
There’s no magic app, no secret hack. The answer lies in simplifying, staying consistent, and taking small steps daily. After all, big changes are often just the cumulative result of countless tiny actions.
Maybe It’s Not About Willpower
Contrary to popular belief, productivity isn’t about willpower.
You can’t simply “will” yourself into being more efficient or productive. Humans aren’t lemons—there’s only so much juice that can be squeezed out before there’s nothing left. Trying to push harder without a system to support it is a recipe for burnout.
And truthfully, most people don’t have an infinite reserve of mental fortitude. For many, a significant chunk of their energy is already spent on the basics, like dragging themselves out of bed in the morning. Tackling an unappealing task? That takes even more. The idea of relying on willpower alone to consistently fight off distractions and do the hard work just doesn’t hold up.
The reality is, resisting the pull of fun, exciting distractions in favor of productive work is a daily struggle. Enjoying leisure time—whether it’s training, relaxing, or pursuing hobbies—comes naturally. But building something meaningful, whether a career, a business, or a skill, demands discipline and effort. And that’s the paradox: in order to create a life where only exciting, fulfilling work is the norm, sacrifices have to be made in the present.
So, a new approach becomes necessary.
For a long time, the assumption was that elite performers—the top 1% in their fields—must possess some rare, innate trait that allows them to outwork everyone else. Maybe they had an extraordinary ability to endure discomfort or simply access resources unavailable to most, like personal chefs, assistants, or other unfair advantages. These assumptions, though comforting, are nothing more than self-imposed limitations.
What if productivity has nothing to do with willpower? What if the secret to the extraordinary output of high performers isn’t rooted in “forcing” themselves to work harder or longer?
The truth is, their success doesn’t hinge on grinding harder—it’s about the way they design their lives. Their environments, routines, and systems are intentionally built to support growth and minimize resistance. This allows them to improve consistently, not by pushing against their limits, but by removing the barriers that would otherwise hold them back.
It’s not about being born different. It’s about creating a structure where progress becomes inevitable.
The Seinfeld Solution
In 1998, Jerry Seinfeld earned a staggering $267 million from the ninth and final season of his legendary sitcom Seinfeld. That’s a quarter of a billion dollars—yes, you read that correctly. NBC even offered him $5 million per episode to return for a 10th season, a deal that would have totaled $110 million for just 22 episodes. Seinfeld declined, walking away at the height of his success.
Fast forward to today, and syndication deals for his iconic show still rake in approximately $85 million annually. A true comedic empire.
But let’s rewind. Before he was a household name, a cultural phenomenon, or a near-billionaire comedian, Seinfeld was simply a man sharpening his craft. How did he consistently produce high-quality material—joke after joke, show after show—year after year?
The answer lies in an approach so simple, it almost seems too good to be true.
The “Don’t Break the Chain” System
Comedian Brad Isaac once had a chance backstage encounter with Jerry Seinfeld and asked for advice on becoming a better comic. Jerry’s response wasn’t about finding inspiration, being naturally talented, or even working harder than anyone else. Instead, he offered a simple, practical strategy.
Here’s how Brad recalls Seinfeld’s advice:
The way to become a better comic is to write better jokes, and the way to write better jokes is to write every single day.
Seinfeld’s method is as follows:
- Get a large wall calendar that shows an entire year at once.
- Hang it somewhere highly visible.
- Get a big red marker.
- For every day you complete your task (in Seinfeld’s case, writing jokes), mark a giant red X over the day.
“After a few days, you’ll have a chain,” Seinfeld explained. “Your job is to not break the chain.”
Notice that Seinfeld didn’t specify the quality of the jokes or even how long the writing sessions needed to last. The focus wasn’t on the outcome but on the habit. The goal was simple: show up, do the work, and mark the day.
The Psychology Behind “Don’t Break the Chain”
At first glance, the method seems almost too simple, but it’s rooted in powerful psychological principles. Here’s why it works:
- Daily Actions Become Default Behaviors:
By doing something every single day, it becomes part of an identity. For instance, no one has to “force” themselves to brush their teeth—it’s an automatic behavior tied to the belief, “I’m someone who values clean teeth.” Similarly, Seinfeld made writing jokes a non-negotiable daily habit. Over time, he became someone who writes jokes, no matter what. - Frequency Breeds Mastery:
Repeating an action consistently creates opportunities for improvement through sheer volume. By writing jokes every day, Seinfeld ensured that he would inevitably stumble upon brilliant ideas over time. With 365 days of practice in a year, it’s almost impossible not to create something valuable simply through repetition. - Using Habit Formation to Beat Procrastination:
Instead of relying on willpower to fight procrastination, this method uses the brain’s natural tendency to form habits. By embedding the task into a daily routine, the habit eventually takes over, reducing the mental strain required to get started. The brain becomes reprogrammed to see the task as an essential part of the day, much like brushing teeth or eating breakfast.
Turning Habits into Cruise Control
The genius of the “Don’t Break the Chain” system lies in its simplicity. It sidesteps complicated goal-setting processes or reliance on motivation, which is often fleeting. Instead, it builds consistency. Over time, the habit becomes automatic, and productivity feels almost effortless.
The key? Protect the chain at all costs. A long, unbroken streak on the calendar creates its own momentum, making it harder to skip a day. Missing even one day feels like a setback you’ll want to avoid.
By leveraging this system, Seinfeld mastered the art of discipline and creativity, turning daily actions into lifelong success.
For anyone looking to build a skill, complete a project, or simply be more productive, the lesson is clear: the only thing you truly have to do is not break the chain.
How to Apply the “Don’t Break the Chain” Strategy
Creating lasting habits is like installing new software in your brain—it takes effort at first, but once it’s hardwired, it runs on autopilot. The beauty of habit formation is that, after enough time, these actions stop feeling “new” or forced. They become second nature, seamlessly integrated into daily life.
Here’s a look at how consistent habit-building has worked in practice:
- Making the Bed: After reaching a 67-day streak, it became automatic (shocking even to my mom!).
- Meditation: A streak of 70+ days made this practice feel natural, and tracking was no longer necessary.
- Reading: Currently at 40+ days and counting.
The list goes on, with four or five other habits now deeply ingrained.
Small Actions Lead to Big Results
Here’s the catch: perfection isn’t the goal.
- Some days, the bed was barely pulled together.
- Sometimes, meditation wasn’t deep or focused.
- On certain days, just a few pages were read.
None of that mattered. The key was showing up every single day. These small, consistent actions, repeated over time, created a compound effect. Like financial compound interest, these efforts grew exponentially, far beyond their individual contributions.
This consistency is the foundation of how the top 1% of performers operate at an elite level.
Take Michael Phelps, for example. Before becoming the most decorated Olympian in history, he maintained a streak of over 10 years without missing a single planned training day. Not every session was perfect, but he always showed up. That’s the secret: progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency.
Start Small and Build
Let’s say you want to tackle something big, like learning programming for your startup. At first, the amount of knowledge you need might feel overwhelming. That’s okay—it’s normal. The solution? Break it down into small, manageable daily tasks.
If you commit to programming every day, no matter what, for a full year without breaking the chain, you will make progress. Even starting with zero knowledge, dedicating just an hour a day adds up to nearly 400 hours in a year. Imagine what you could accomplish with 400 hours of focused practice.
Take inspiration from Karen, who taught herself to dance in one year using this exact method. Day by day, she chipped away at her goal, making extraordinary progress.
The Key: Don’t Break the Chain
It doesn’t matter if your efforts feel small or insignificant in the moment. Whether it’s learning a skill, pursuing a passion, or building a career, the formula is always the same: show up consistently, day after day.
Here’s why it works:
- Habits Remove Resistance: Over time, your new habit becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth.
- Frequency Fuels Improvement: Even small, daily efforts add up to meaningful results.
- Momentum Builds Confidence: A long streak on your calendar creates motivation to keep going.
Tools to Support Your Habit-Building
While a physical calendar works perfectly, digital tools like habit-tracking apps can also help maintain accountability. Apps like Lift (now known as Coach.me) allow you to easily track your progress and build your chain digitally.
What Habit Will You Start?
The real question is: what habits will you commit to integrating into your life? Whether it’s reading, exercising, learning a new skill, or something else entirely, the “Don’t Break the Chain” method can help you stay consistent and productive over time.
Grab this strategy, apply it to your goals, and watch as daily efforts compound into extraordinary achievements. The only rule? Don’t break the chain.
