Better Than Zero – A Reminder

In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear posits that every action we take is a vote cast for our future self. Today, I want to revisit a concept I’ve discussed before. I believe it’s crucial to continually remind ourselves of this idea, so I’m recording this video as a way of reinforcing it for myself.

If you’re new to the channel, welcome. My name is Seth. I’m a full-time fantasy author, and I enjoy making videos about being an author and about writing. If you have any questions about either of those topics, please leave them in the comments, and I’ll create a video in response.

Now, let’s discuss the concept of ‘better than zero.’ This is a mantra I often repeat to myself for encouragement. It can be daunting to sit down and attempt to write something, only to find you’re not making as much progress as you anticipated. This can lead to feelings of disappointment, triggering a downward spiral of dwindling energy and motivation. This negative cycle can compound upon itself.

One of the ways I combat this in my life is through the concept of ‘better than zero.’ If you’re on a journey, taking a single step is better than not taking any steps at all. Similarly, if you’re trying to write a manuscript, writing one page is better than writing none. Just as you can start a downward spiral by not making the progress you expected, you can also initiate an upward spiral. Embracing the concept of ‘better than zero’ can help shift your perspective and improve your outlook.

This concept aligns with the principle of ‘the gap and the gain‘ that I have discussed before. We can either measure how far we are from our goal or how far we’ve come from our starting point. ‘Better than zero’ is simply a shorthand for ‘the gap and the gain.’ It’s a way of reminding ourselves that we are casting a vote for who we want to be.

As a writer, my primary task is to write. That’s the single qualification. If I never write anything, I can’t call myself a writer. However, if I write even a few hundred words a day, I am most definitely a writer. I’m casting a vote for who I want to be in the future.

Framing things positively and focusing on the gain, or how far we’ve come rather than how far we still have to go, instills in us the assurance that we are making progress. It helps build a positive identity and reinforces the belief that we are who we say we are.

One of the most destructive things in life is being out of integrity with oneself. If you’re someone like me who sometimes sets high and unrealistic expectations, it can be easy to fall out of alignment with yourself. If I tell myself I’m a writer but constantly criticize my work for not being enough, I’ll quickly lose motivation.

However, if I reframe my perspective positively and acknowledge my daily accomplishments, saying ‘better than zero,’ I’m making progress. I’m moving towards my goal. Look how far I’ve come from where I started. Suddenly, I find myself more motivated to write the next day and to continue with what I’m doing.

So, as I said, this video serves as a reminder to myself to maintain this positive frame of reference, to uphold the ‘better than zero’ mentality, and to keep working towards my goal.

Let me know what goal are you working on where you can apply this principle? It doesn’t have to be writing-related. Are you working on a manuscript? Trying to finish a story or a series? Attempting to get published? I’d love to cheer you on.

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YouTube Video Link: https://youtu.be/2_f-95gQINI

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Thanks for reading and watching.

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