Developing a Positive Habit

How Ten Minutes a Day Can Transform Intention into Action

I’m writing in the truck in the middle of the night.

I’m determined to keep up my record of writing for at least 10 minutes every day. Tonight's entry is happening on the road because I’m visiting family who live hours away. I’m grateful that my husband is driving because it’s not a trip I would want to do on my own.

Still the writing continues.

Writing is a new habit for me—a nourishing one—and I genuinely enjoy it. I’m now over halfway through a 28-day writing challenge, and I’m committed to seeing it through. Hats off to  Kevin Partner, author of the Ten Minute Author, and the creator of this challenge. He takes something that might feel intimidating and transforms it into something manageable, approachable and even fun.

When Wanting to Start Isn't Enough

 I’ve always wanted to write.

But for years I believed that I had to write a lot at once. That expectation made the whole idea overwhelming. Instead of motivating me, it made me nervous enough not to start at all.

According to the Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change (https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-12.1.38 ), I was in the Preparation stage: I had the desire and even the tools to begin, but I hadn’t taken action yet. I had beautiful paper, good pens, and a comfortable place to write.

What I didn't have was momentum to move into action.

Moving from Preparation to Action

Now things are different.

I’ve been in the Action stage for over two weeks, and I credit that to the 28-day challenge. The simple commitment to write for just ten minutes a day removed the pressure that used to stop me.

Most days I write for more than 10 minutes. Once the ideas start flowing, it's easy to keep going.

Little by little, a nourishing habit is forming.

The Power of Starting Small

This is often how any new habit begins.

Instead of focusing on the full, ideal version of the behavior, we break it into smaller, manageable steps.

Imagine someone who wants to develop a habit of walking for 30 minutes every day. If they haven’t walked regularly in years, the goal can feel daunting. But starting with 5- to 10-minute walks makes the habit approachable.. Over time, the body adapts, confidence grows, and those short walks gradually expand until the 30-minute goal feels natural.

Small steps create consistency.

Consistency creates change.

Nourishing Habits Begin With a Few Minutes

This strategy works for many habits we want to bring into our lives—especially the habits that nourish us.

Reading.

Writing.

Stretching.

Meditating.

Walking.

Reflecting.

All of them can begin with just 5 to 10 minutes a day.

Those few minutes might not feel like much at first. But they create a rhythm, and that rhythm builds momentum.

And momentum builds transformation.

A Question for You

What is one nourishing habit you would like to try for just 5 to 10 minutes a day?