The Power of Small Steps: Achieving Your Goals with the 5 by 5 Method

Hey girlfriend! We're less than 30 days into the new year, and I’ve got a simple (but incredibly effective) solution to help you stick to your resolutions all year long. Last year, I used what I call the 5 by 5 Method, and it worked wonders.

Here's how it goes: I decided what tasks I wanted to add to my daily routine, then I allotted time to each one in increments of 5 minutes. For example, I made sure to meditate, read, journal, and work out every day.

The 5 by 5 Rule isn’t about big, lofty goals. It's about building habits slowly, one step at a time, so you can cultivate consistency and boost your self-confidence. And eventually, you’ll reach those bigger goals you’re aiming for. The beauty of the 5 by 5 rule is that it gives you flexibility in your life and routine. Sometimes, you might have 30 minutes to dedicate to a task; other days, 5 minutes might be all you can spare. But the key is that no matter how much time you have, you showed up—and that’s what counts.

I committed to giving each of my goals—meditating, journaling, working out, and reading—at least 5 minutes a day, and I made sure to complete them all before the day ended. Over time, as I gained momentum, I increased each session to 10 minutes, then 15. Suddenly, dedicating 45 minutes to an hour each day to my goals didn’t feel like such a sacrifice. It became easy, almost effortless, but still so fulfilling. By starting small, I rarely had to fight my willpower. I didn’t have to talk myself into waking up an hour earlier to meditate or journal, or convince myself to go to the gym for two hours. All I needed was 15 minutes, and I knew I could do it—and you can, too. That’s why I recommend this approach.

It’s so easy to aim for the moon when setting goals, and there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious. But the truth is, consistency is key. Big, intense goals might feel exciting at first, but they can also lead to burnout pretty quickly. So, ask yourself: What’s more important to you—consistency or intensity? Sure, it’s thrilling to feel on top of the world at the start, but if that excitement fizzles out in a few days or weeks, was it really worth it?

I know what you’re thinking: 5 minutes? That’s it? How will I see results at that pace?

Well, let me ask you: Who won the race between the tortoise and the hare?

We’re not just setting goals here; we’re improving our lifestyle. This rule has been my secret for two years now. Last year, it helped me read three books and fill up a journal and a half. My mental health is at its best because every day, I take time to reduce stress, connect with my body, and affirm myself. I’m content knowing I’m maintaining my health, not overloading myself with impossible goals.

Personally, I’d rather move at a snail’s pace in the right direction than race ahead in the wrong one—filled with stress and exhaustion. Let’s release the pressure to be perfect and use our resolutions to address what we feel are shortcomings in our lives.

"I accumulated small but consistent habits that ultimately led to results that were unimaginable when I started."— James Clear