Follow-Up Is Nonstop Advertising for Change

You’re making a habit change—say, answering every customer email within two business hours. Great—but the next week rolls by, and the old routine threatens to resurface. Mindfulness says that change isn’t an event but a gentle stream of daily choices. Imagine each weekly check-in as pebbles tossed into a clear pond. Each splash reminds you why you embarked on this path: it’s not just about speed, but showing respect and reliability.

One Friday afternoon, you pause and reflect: How many times did you meet your two-hour reply goal this week? You count six out of seven days. Good—but you missed one. You notice that on Thursday you stayed late, backlogged those emails, and forgot your promise. Instead of berating yourself, you lean into the learning: next time you’ll set an after-lunch alarm.

Reflection can be as simple as three sentences on Sunday night. Reminding yourself of your progress—your pursuit of being there for others—keeps the current flowing. Over time, the stream widens into a river of consistency. And the momentum? It becomes unstoppable.

You’ve committed to showing up faster—now make it a daily practice. Each evening jot down how often you hit your two-hour goal. It takes two minutes but keeps you honest. Notice what’s slipping, tweak your schedule, and chart your wins on Sunday. Keep this up for a month—your colleagues will sense the ripple of change.