Frequently Asked Questions About the Seinfeld Method
Even with a simple system, questions and obstacles arise. Here are answers to some of the most common challenges people face when trying to build their chain.
What if I have too many goals? Which one should I build a chain for?
This is a very common trap. The power of the Seinfeld Method comes from its singular focus. Trying to maintain three or four chains at once dilutes your attention and willpower, making it likely that all of them will fail. Pick the one goal that is most important to you right now. Which goal, if you achieved it, would have the biggest positive impact on your life? Start there. Build a strong, consistent chain for 60-90 days. Once that habit becomes more automatic, you can consider “stacking” a second, small habit on top of it. But in the beginning, one goal, one chain.
How do I handle conflicting priorities on a busy day?
This is where planning and having a “minimum viable effort” are key. First, if you use time blocking to schedule your daily action, you are proactively protecting it from conflict. Second, define the absolute smallest version of your task that still “counts.” If your goal is “Write for 30 minutes,” your minimum could be “Write one paragraph.” If your goal is “Meditate for 15 minutes,” your minimum could be “Sit and focus on my breath for 60 seconds.” On a chaotic day, completing this tiny version allows you to honestly mark your “X,” keep the chain intact, and maintain momentum. It’s always better to do something small than nothing at all. The American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org) has extensive research on habit formation, highlighting how small, consistent actions are key to lasting change.
What do I do on days when I have absolutely zero motivation?
Motivation is a fickle emotion; consistency is a commitment. The Seinfeld Method is designed specifically for these days. Your job is not to feel motivated. Your job is to mark the X. On low-motivation days, your focus should be entirely on the action, not the feeling. Use the “two-minute rule”: tell yourself you only have to do the activity for two minutes. Often, starting is the hardest part, and after two minutes, you’ll find the energy to continue. But even if you don’t, two minutes is enough to keep the chain alive. You are training yourself to act based on commitment, not mood. That is the cornerstone of all long-term goal success.
My goal feels too big or ambiguous to have a simple daily metric. What should I do?
This is a sign that you need to break the goal down further. Every large, ambiguous goal is composed of smaller, concrete actions. If your goal is to “become a better leader,” that’s too vague to track. What are the behaviors of a good leader? Maybe it’s giving quality feedback. So, you could break that down into a daily action: “Write one specific, positive piece of feedback to a team member each day.” If your goal is “be more creative,” what is a daily creative practice? It could be “Sketch in a notebook for 10 minutes” or “Write 10 new ideas in a journal.” The key is to shift from an abstract outcome to a controllable physical or mental action. Find the smallest, repeatable behavior that, if done consistently, would inevitably lead you toward your larger goal.
