The Importance Of Non-Zero Days

The first time I remember hearing about this concept was 6 or 7 years ago on my trip to Asia. I can picture exactly where I was.

I was about halfway through my trip, on my first visa run from Thailand to the Malaysian border. A common practice for many backpackers in Thailand. A rite of passage.

It is a short concept this week so indulge me with a bit of a tangent, I promise there is a bonus lesson.

Keep in mind that all of this was “necessary” due to entry and exit requirements for typical Thai visas. Because this was normal, both the hostel staff and other backpackers ran me through the plan… (cue the Victor takes a trip montage from Rules of Attraction)

If that sounds a little sketchy, a) you’re right and b) money can buy you pretty much anything. The amount required is just lower outside the western world.

The part that makes this a little less sketchy is that I have 2 passports. So if everything really went to shit I could get home on my American passport.

The bonus lesson here is that defaulting to trusting people makes life a lot easier. There is a 100% chance this will blow up in your face at some point, but in aggregate you’re likely to come out ahead.

Okay, back to “No Zero Days.”

I was in a bit of a funk and felt like I wasn’t making progress. I was sitting in a bottom bunk in a random Georgetown hostel with my bunk curtain drawn. Probably snacking on a can of Pringles or some Pocky.

I found a Reddit comment from u/ryans01 in r/getdisciplined. The concept was simple and actionable.

This idea has been further popularized in many books on habits over the last decade. Make the habit so small you can’t say no.

The Takeaway:

The concept of No Zero Days is the quickest way I know to break yourself out of a rut. From the chronically depressed to the “just had an off week.”