Hack Your Letter-Writing Habit with Atomic Habits
Write_On is all about developing better letter-writing habits. Research shows that repeating a habit 30 times helps it become ingrained. And, luckily, we now have plenty of research on how to develop strong habits. James Clear’s ATOMIC HABITS is our favorite book on habit formation, so we’ll be using his easy, practical steps as a guide to help you hack your letter-writing habit.
The first thing to remember is that small habits make a big difference and that systems matter more than goals. So, while our goal with Write_On is to write 30 letters in 30 days, we’re actually using that goal to help you create SYSTEMS to keep up a good letter-writing habit. If you don’t write 30 letters, no worries. Just follow along and do what you can.
What is a Letter and Why Does it Matter?
In today’s digital world, it’s helpful to remember what a letter is, and why it matters.
A letter is a hand-written note of any length.
There are many types of notes. Our top three are letters that:
Say Thank You – The most common is the thank you note – which can be sent after receiving an act of kindness or service, or a gift of any kind.
Celebrate Achievements – Handwritten notes can also be sent on special occasions to celebrate milestones, e.g. a birthday, graduation, new baby.
Deepen Relationships – Longer letters can be sent to share stories, inspiration, and quotes, which deepen connections. Letters can also be used creatively to create a pen-pal correspondence – for example, taking turns asking and asking a meaningful question, like “What matters most to you and why?”
Many handwritten letters can do all three! Handwritten notes matter because, while they are not instantaneous, a thoughtful note on a hand-crafted card is personal, tangible, and inspiring. It is as unique as a fingerprint. Your written words of appreciation, celebration, and authentic feeling, are one of your most enduring legacies. Handwritten letters have been used by biographers to understand the lives of people across time. You can make your mark through hand-written notes, too.
