Happier with Gretchen Rubin Move Happier: How to "Get It Done" and Finally Complete Your Dream Project [Bonus]
Jan 9, 2026
Discover why big projects often stall and how to overcome this with a structured approach. Learn from Gretchen's watercolor class as a cautionary tale about shifting your goals. She emphasizes starting now instead of waiting for the perfect moment and highlights the importance of clear, specific plans over vague motivation. Break your project into manageable actions, monitor your progress, and find meaningful reasons that drive you. Finally, align your energy and habits to create the momentum you need to take that crucial first step!
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Repeated Watercolor Attempts
- Gretchen Rubin describes repeated failed attempts to learn watercolor despite classes and preparation.
- She pivoted from a habit goal to a finite project: a year of daily watercolor with monthly postcards.
Choose Clarity Over Motivation
- Stop waiting for motivation and instead pursue clarity about what, why, and how.
- Define specific, measurable, and controllable project goals to make action likely.
Planning Beats Feeling Motivated
- A study showed voters who made concrete plans were 9% more likely to vote.
- Specific planning often substitutes for motivation and increases follow-through.
