> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.polyinnovator.space/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Start Habits and Systems - URL: https://www.polyinnovator.space/how-to-start-habits-and-systems/ - Published: 2026-08-14T22:51:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-21T19:17:40.000Z - Description: In the PIOS there are a handful of things that fall onto your habits, which in turn fall onto your systems. Thus without properly creating said systems, then you're bound to struggle or even fail. - Author: Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator - Tags: 🧠 PIOS Omni-Brain = Knowledge Management Mastery over one's self is key towards being successful in life. You are what you repeatedly do, and thus that means your habits make up who you are. Today's post is meant to partially motivate you, and partially guide you towards how to get started. I find that the 1% progression mechanism is the most ideal to strive for in your efforts. Meaning don't try to go for drastic action, but rather get 1% better each day. Save the momentous action for a rare occasion. In life we build habits by doing something repeatedly, and until it becomes a norm in our daily or weekly life. The PIOS works on a daily to yearly scale, and that helps you keep track of your habits. Although using an actual habit tracker tool or plugin is suggested. --- ## Why is it important to think of this in the Macro? Anytime you read a book on habits, or think about what you want to do consistently. It is always the same, thinking of the next day, the next week, or at most the next "21 days to build a habit" (that's a myth btw). Instead we should think about what we want our life to look like if we were doing these things. Envision every aspect behind what your life will entail. From there you can work your way back, and see what habits need to be formed first. Obviously fitness and exercise makes a valid point to be early, and oftentimes is one of the simpler (not always easier, but simpler) habits to form first. Then the next, then the next, and snowball. --- ## How do you build a habit? Show up every day. Even if you don't think it needs to be a daily habit, such as exercise only really needs to be 3-5x a week for most people. Try to over shoot it a bit, then take it down a notch when it becomes too much. Who knows you might surprise yourself, and keep the high frequency going. 💡 I should mention that while some of my habits are really good. There are two that came to mind here: Reading and Writing my Books. Both of those HAVE NOT been consistent. We all struggle with some habits, and that is okay. Just keep trying. ### —How long does it take? I haven't read the most recent studies, so please take this section with a grain of salt. I encourage you to actually go down a rabbit hole on this, as it is interesting. The 21 days thing was popularized, just like the "10,000 hour rule", but doesn't actually mean it is true. 21 days is sort of an average, but you can start a habit within a week. It also alternatively can take much longer if you fail to keep it up. A habit is just a word for something we do repeatedly. I made a workout habit last Summer almost immediately, from 0 to 100 instantly. However keep in mind I've been exercising for 16 years, the two years prior I had not been consistently at all. Still did it, but failed to make it a habit (mostly lacked motivation). As soon as I found it I worked out consistently, often twice a day, and did it for most of the year. For something like that, it took no time at all, as it was almost like remembering an old habit. If it was new, then it will take a bit longer, but also depending on your motivation that can change the speed too. --- ## What are systems? The system is the scale after habits, where if you have done it for long enough it becomes more ingrained. Such as my aforementioned exercise habits, when that came back full force that was because I had a system I could fall back on. Even teaching swim lessons I was out of habit one Summer after not teaching it for a while. However given a couple times of teaching, to be honest even by the end of the first lesson (which I might have given for free while I remembered my systems); I was already falling back onto my old systems. Systems are also when habits feedback off of each other. Your exercise habit will formulate your fitness/health system. You often need more protein, and a different diet. Meaning your nutrition habit forms into that system. ### How do Habits fall into Systems? Think of systems are made up of multiple habits. They are the weave between habits, and sometimes are the cause/formulated of/from habit stacking. When one habit falters, then another can offset the load. They tend to go up and down together though, so be careful. When you slip on one habit, it can quickly spiral into the others going down too. Although conversely, when you build one up, it can help make the other habits easier. ### Why do we need to think about habits in the micro? While big picture is great, and most people don't think about it enough. There is something to be said to making the decision to DO the thing in the day you are living in right now. For example I have a book I've been meaning to read for the last year, but I haven't had a reading habit. Just by me taking some time today to do it will make a huge difference. Think about what you CAN accomplish in one day. In the moment. --- ## What should you do next? List out what habits you want, find a habit tracker if you can (I'm trying for obsidian plugins), and then start one at a time. Pick one do it for a week, add another one do them the next week, and then so forth. Feel free to expand that for two weeks in each incubation period if you feel it needs the extra time. Everyone is different. This post has been on the backburner for a long time, probably much longer than I realize, and my writing habit hasn't always been consistent. Thus it got buried. I do think it turned out well, but if I think of another way to explain it. Alternatively, maybe I'll share how I do all of this in Obsidian once I figure out the best way. Then I'll make another post in the [🧠 PIOS Omni-Brain = Knowledge Management](https://www.polyinnovator.space/tag/pios-polyinnovation-operating-system/) tag, so please subscribe!