In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo discusses the common challenges individuals face when trying to establish and maintain routines, offering a practical, five-step framework to overcome these hurdles. Warikoo emphasizes that building a lasting routine is less about rigid schedules and more about accomplishing what is truly important in life.
The business leader and entrepreneur highlights that many people aim for drastic, overnight changes, a strategy he argues is often met with resistance from both the body and mind. Instead, Warikoo advocates for a gradual approach.
“We often want to make overnight changes. But our body and mind will resist the change. So we have to trick them by making the change happen slowly.”
As Ankur Warikoo notes, this ‘start slow’ principle can be applied to various habits, such as gradually waking up earlier over several weeks until the desired time is reached. This measured progress helps in acclimatizing to new patterns without triggering significant resistance.
The Importance of Measuring Progress and Embracing Small Wins
A key element in Warikoo’s strategy is the concept of measuring progress. He suggests that humans derive more satisfaction from the journey towards a goal than from merely hitting the target itself. By finding ways to track incremental advancements, individuals can remain motivated and engaged.
Warikoo illustrates this with the example of reading a book: instead of focusing on finishing the entire book, the goal could be to read just one page a day. Marking these small achievements on a calendar, he points out, can foster a sense of accomplishment and reinforce the routine.
“Humans do not feel as much joy in hitting a target as they do in working towards a target.”
This focus on process over outcome is central to making routines enjoyable and sustainable.
Overcoming Inertia with the 2-Minute Rule and Weekly Planning
Addressing the common difficulty of simply starting a new habit, Warikoo introduces ‘The 2-Minute Rule.’ He argues that the most challenging part of any routine is initiation. By committing to performing the desired activity for just two minutes, the initial barrier is significantly lowered, making it easier to build momentum.
Furthermore, Warikoo advises against trying to cram too much into a single day. Instead, he proposes the strategy of ‘Winning the Week.’ This involves planning the week’s objectives and distributing tasks throughout the seven days, offering flexibility and reducing the pressure of daily completion.
“Instead, plan your week and try to do everything you want to do, within a week.”
This perspective allows for a more balanced approach, acknowledging that not every habit needs to be performed daily, such as reading only on weekends if that fits better into one’s schedule.
Rewarding Progress and Redefining Routine
Finally, Ankur Warikoo stresses the significance of self-reward. He suggests that acknowledging and celebrating the successful execution of desired actions is crucial for long-term adherence. Rewards can be anything that one cherishes, serving as positive reinforcement.
Warikoo shares his personal example of scheduling ‘distraction time’ for 30 minutes, three times a day. This dedicated time is his reward for completing his essential tasks, demonstrating a practical application of this principle.
In conclusion, Warikoo reframes the notion of a routine, moving away from the idea of rigid, time-bound tasks. He posits that:
“A routine is how you accomplish what is important for you in life. Building one can be the best gift you can give yourself.”
His insights provide a compassionate and effective roadmap for anyone looking to build habits that genuinely contribute to their personal and professional growth.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ankur Warikoo on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 4, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →