Have you ever found yourself stuck in a pattern, repeating the same behaviors even though you know they're not serving you? You tell yourself that this time will be different, but somehow, you end up right back where you started.

James Clear once said, "Once is a mistake. Twice is the start of a ncoew habit." It’s a powerful reminder that what we do repeatedly shapes our lives.

Do you ever catch yourself saying things like, “Just this once?”

“I’ll skip the gym just this once”…and before you know it, six months have gone by.

“I’ll put this on the counter just for now and put it away later”…and before you know it, there’s a mountain of junk mail, bills, library books, and who-knows-what-else cluttering your space. 

And you have absolutely no idea how it got there.

Then you scoop it all up and put it in a box or bag “to go through later” when a guest or a house cleaner (if you’re lucky) is coming over. 

But later never comes.

“Just this once” can get you into trouble with your work, too.

The first time you let work spill into your evening, it feels like a one-off. But when it happens again, it’s no longer a fluke—it’s the beginning of a habit.

For many high-achieving women like you, the cycle of overwork and burnout starts innocently enough. 

You stay late at the office once to finish a project. 

Then you do it again. 

Then, before you know it, late nights and weekend work are the norm, and your once-clear boundaries have blurred into oblivion.

Here’s the tough love: 

If you’re consistently overwhelmed, it’s not just a busy season—it’s a lifestyle, and you are letting it happen.

But the good news is that habits, once recognized, can be changed. 

Yes, it takes effort. Yes, it takes commitment. But it’s possible.

Start by identifying one small habit you want to change.

Maybe it’s setting a strict end time to your workday.

Maybe it’s saying “no” to one extra project.

Maybe it’s not letting the pile of mail take over your kitchen counter or dining room table.

Or maybe it’s deciding not to ignore that laundry basket full of clean clothes that need to be folded and put away — put on an audiobook and do it, tackle it while watching TV, or delegate the task to someone else.

These small shifts, repeated daily, will gradually break the cycle and create new, healthier habits that serve you better.

Remember, the power to change lies within you. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life in one go. 

Just start with one action. 

Then repeat it. 

Soon enough, you’ll find yourself building a new, positive cycle—one that leads to balance, ease, and the life you truly want to live.

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