Simplify to succeed

You know the pattern. You decide to work out every day, or finally get serious about nutrition, or start that project you've been thinking about. And it works. Until it doesn't.

Life happens. Things get busy. You miss a day, then two, then you're back where you started—frustrated and wondering why you can't make it stick.

Here's what I've learned: most goals fail because they're too complicated to track.

When you're measuring multiple things, checking off a dozen boxes, or trying to hit moving targets, you create too many ways to fail. And each small failure chips away at your momentum.

The solution? Make it binary.

Simple Questions, Clear Progress

A binary choice is a yes-or-no question. Did you do the thing, or didn't you? There's no gray area, no room for rationalization, no way to half-count it.

Instead of "Did I eat well today?" (which is subjective and murky), you ask: "Did I eat 2 servings of fruit or vegetables at every meal?" Yes or no. That's it.

Instead of "Am I making progress on my business?" you ask: "Did I reach out to one potential client today?" Yes or no.

Instead of "I’m going to workout 3 days this week." state: "I’m going to workout Monday, Wednesday and Saturday." Then do that. Don’t make it negotiable.

The question is simple. The answer is clear. You can track it without thinking.

Why This Works

Binary questions eliminate decision fatigue. You're not evaluating, judging, or grading yourself. You're just tracking reality.

When you string together enough "yes" answers, something shifts. You start to see yourself as someone who shows up. Someone who follows through. That identity change is what makes habits stick.

I've watched people transform their fitness by asking themselves one question every morning: "Did I show up today?" Not "Did I crush it?" or "Did I hit a PR?" Just: Did I show up?

Over time, showing up becomes who they are. And that's when everything else starts to fall into place.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

Pick one thing. The thing that matters most right now.

Turn it into a yes-or-no question. Make sure it's specific enough that you can't wiggle out of it, but achievable enough that you can say yes most days.

Then track it. A calendar on the wall. A note on your phone. Whatever works.

String together as many yes answers as you can. When you miss one, don't spiral—just get back to it the next day.

That's it. No elaborate system. No perfect plan. Just one binary question, answered honestly, every single day.

You'd be surprised how far that can take you.