Progress is often non-linear. Consistent efforts may seem stagnant until a breakthrough moment, like melting an ice cube. Imagine an ice cube sitting at 31°F. No matter how long you hold your hands around it, nothing happens. But once the temperature hits 32°F, everything changes—the ice begins to melt. Our efforts in life often follow a similar trajectory. You work hard day after day, yet nothing seems to move. Then, one day, you reach that pivotal moment, and the progress you've been waiting for materializes.

The key is to trust the process. Progress might feel slow, and you may question whether you're on the right path, but often, it's the small, consistent efforts over time that lead to big breakthroughs. However, how do we stay patient and consistent, especially when results aren’t immediately visible? In this blog post, we'll discuss how to gauge your progress effectively, and actionable strategies to improve your habits, so you can stay the course and reach that "melting point."

Most people focus on lagging indicators like the number on a scale or the revenue in their business. While these are important, they only show the end result. To stay motivated, focus on leading indicators—actions that drive the outcome. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, track the number of workouts you complete each week rather than just the weight you’ve lost. If you’re building a business, focus on the number of outreach emails you send or the content you create. By monitoring these actions, you’ll notice progress in the effort you put in, even when the results take time to show up.

Borrow a page from the world of sales where reps often move a paperclip from one jar to another after each successful call. This small act provides a visual representation of progress. For your habits, find simple ways to create similar visuals. If you're trying to form a daily writing habit, move a coin from one jar to another for every 100 words you write. Over time, the accumulating tokens will give you a concrete sense of progress and keep you engaged.

Break your larger goals into smaller milestones. If your goal is to save $10,000, set smaller targets along the way—maybe $500 or $1,000 at a time. Celebrate these wins, no matter how small. Each milestone reached is a reminder that you are moving forward. This approach also allows you to assess whether your methods are working and adjust them if necessary.

Some forms of progress are intangible but incredibly important. Are you feeling more confident? Do you have a better sense of clarity about your goals? These are forms of growth that might not show up in your immediate metrics but are valuable indicators of long-term progress. Take a moment each week to reflect on the shifts in your mindset, energy levels, and focus. Over time, these internal markers will build momentum.

In Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about how focusing on identity, rather than outcomes, is the key to lasting change. Instead of saying, "I want to lose 10 pounds," say, "I’m the type of person who takes care of their body." Instead of, "I want to write a book," say, "I’m the type of person who writes every day." This shift in thinking makes the desired behavior part of who you are, rather than just something you do.

The secret to building better habits isn’t making giant leaps but making small, consistent steps. Aim for 1% improvement each day. If you want to develop a reading habit, start by reading just one page a day. Gradually increase that number. The key is consistency over intensity. Small wins compound over time into meaningful results, just like tiny snowflakes eventually form an avalanche.

The 2-Minute Rule is a powerful way to overcome procrastination and establish new habits. The idea is to scale down your desired habit to something you can do in two minutes or less. Want to run? Start by putting on your running shoes. Want to meditate? Just sit on the meditation cushion. Once you get started, you'll often find yourself continuing beyond the two minutes.

Set up your environment to encourage good habits. If you want to eat healthier, keep fruit on the counter. If you want to exercise in the morning, lay out your workout clothes the night before. Reduce friction for the habits you want to develop and make it difficult for the ones you want to break. Pairing habits with a reward can also help reinforce them. For example, allow yourself 10 minutes of social media after completing a 30-minute workout.

Use a technique called habit stacking, where you link a new habit to an existing one. If you already brush your teeth every morning, attach a new habit to it, like meditating for two minutes right after. The existing habit acts as a cue, making it easier to integrate the new habit into your routine.

In the end, remember that progress is not always visible immediately, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Like the ice cube melting, the change is slow and invisible until, suddenly, it becomes apparent. By implementing these actionable strategies to gauge your progress and improve your habits, you'll be able to stay the course, build momentum, and trust that your efforts are inching you closer to your goals every day.