Give up. Just Give up. After all, when things get hard it seems like it's just easier to default to the attitude of, "I'm not going to do that."
I get it, it can be easier to just give up than to push through whatever trial, goal, or habit you are trying to accomplish.
But with anything, the last thing you want to do is put up a zero. Michael Jordan had this famous quote that says "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Can't argue with that logic.
I'll give you an example recently. I have a goal this year that I want to exercise every day and specifically go to the gym and work out for at least an hour. Most of the time I can do that, but on a day such as today I was not going to make it to the gym do I put up a zero?
Nope.
I have a default. I will do pushups usually a couple of sets and at the very least. I make a specific time and trigger so it gets done. When it's easy and I have the time. Which is usually sometime in the morning and before I shower.
Another example is my reading habit. I generally try to spend 30 minutes in the morning reading a book or an article I am interested in, but if I feel I'm about to put up a zero and not read. I usually sit down for about 5 minutes at night and read at least one page.
The benefit of not putting up a zero is that you keep some sort of streak intact and psychologically that builds a positive connection for doing that habit over and over again because there is a reward for doing it.
There are two things to remember to help you avoid putting up a zero
Make it easy enough to start (right environment)
Start small (Two-minute rule)
In my next few posts, I'll talk more about making it easy and how to start small. Stay Tuned.