I first heard about this idea of a non-zero system from a fellow coach years ago, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

The idea is based around using action to make progress.

Doing at least one thing [however small] per day to keep moving toward your goals. This means, even on the days when you feel like it’s a lost cause, you can choose to do one little thing that keeps you moving forward.

The truth is, the only way to make progress or initiate change is to consistently take action. This idea is explained well in a Medium article by Fayadh Ahmed:

“Because little progress is better than no progress at all, no matter how seemingly insignificant it may be.

You may not be able to make a big leap towards your goal today, but you can take a tiny little step. It may not be much, but hey it’s a 1 and not a 0. It’s progress.”

The take-away: there are no entirely unproductive days. We always have the option to do something. Anything. Even if it’s just one little thing toward our goals.