What’s helping? What’s holding you back?

Hi there,

If you’re new, welcome. If you’ve been here a while, thank you for sticking around. I’m glad we’re in this together you’re in good company. We now have over 22,000 subscribers, with 2,000 of you joining just last month.

Last time, we talked about how most plans don’t fall apart because they’re unrealistic they fall apart because we’re stuck performing old scripts that don’t fit anymore.

I’m inviting you to try a question I often use with clients (and in my own life):
“What’s actually helping me become the person I want to be, and what’s quietly holding me back?”

It’s a deceptively simple question, but it can cut through the noise in your day.

Most habit trackers create more work, not less.

Thanks to everyone who voted in last week’s poll (see below). Practical tools and templates came out on top, so I was going to design a shiny new habit tracker for you all.

But let’s be real: if you’re anything like me, when you’re burned out, the last thing you need is another tracker telling you what to do.

Most habit trackers create more work, not less. They turn your day into a performance review, and that’s probably the last thing you need right now.

Three Questions to Cut Through the Noise.

So instead, here is a short but powerful exercise that you’re actually more likely to use:

1. What habit am I reaching for?

2. What need am I really trying to meet?

3. Is this helping me be the person I want to be?

Forget counting ticks on a checklist. Start with understanding.

Habits aren’t random they’re answers to something deeper like boredom, stress, or old stories. When you pause and ask these questions, you stop performing and start leading.

Want to See This in Action?

I’ve put together a short case study with real-world examples you can download for free – a deep dive on how Steve Jobs chose what truly mattered (and what didn’t).

Still Keen on Habit Tracking?

If you’re curious, I’ve also included an affiliate link to Routine’s tracker. It’s free to use, but if you do upgrade to a paid subscription, I may receive some commission (at no extra cost to you).

Book of the Month - Reset by Dan Heath

Reset ties beautifully to our theme this week it’s about recognising what’s holding you back and making those small, intentional changes that truly help.

Why this book?
We all hit moments when things just aren’t working at work, in our routines, or with ourselves. Reset isn’t about big dramatic reinvention. It’s about recognising where you’re stuck and making small, meaningful changes that stick.

Who it’s for:
Anyone feeling off track or overwhelmed especially if you’re the kind of person who supports everyone else but forgets to check in with yourself.

Coming up next month: Me, But Better by Olga Khaza

We’ll be exploring Personality & Growth, with insights from Me, But Better by Olga Khaza. We’ll dig into how much of who you are is fixed, and how much you can actively shape without losing yourself in the process.

Oh, and one last thing: we’re evolving! From September Read2Rise will be reimagined as the human co., a space for deeper conversations, new tools, and fresh ways to grow together. Curious? You can read more about what’s ahead here and sign up for early access treats.