How to Stick With a Habit
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Hi Friends,
Today, I’m starting things a little differently. I want to share a short story (real short, I promise).
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a farmer planted a bamboo seed and watered it every day. For one year, nothing happened. His neighbors laughed saying, “That’s never going to work!”
During the second year…nothing happened. The neighbors called him crazy. But the farmer didn’t give up.
By the fourth year, his neighbors gave up teasing him. But, the farmer continued watering.
Then something miraculous happened.
After five years, the bamboo tree grew 90 feet tall in just six weeks!
The neighbors were amazed! One asked, “How did it grow so tall in just six weeks?”
The farmer replied, “It didn't grow 90 feet in six weeks. It grew 90 feet in five years and six weeks."
While I can’t confirm the farmer existed, this is truly how bamboo grows. The seed builds a strong underground root system for years before shooting up to 90 feet.
In Atomic Habits, James Clear teaches us what we can learn from bamboo: there is great power in sticking with something, even if we don't see the results right away.
But sticking with something is hard!
Whether it be an exercise routine, a to-do list system, or using a launch pad to be more organized, we rarely notice immediate improvement.
As a neurodivergent adult, I used to struggle too. Now, I have a strategy that helped me become someone who exercises, reads 10 times per month, and keeps my office organized (mostly).
Today, I'm going to show you how. Let's dive in.
How is This Related to Executive Function Skills?
I believe our executive function skills can improve but they grow like bamboo—slowly, and often invisibly at first.
Yet, we live in a world wired for instant gratification. For neurodivergent people, like me, and others with ADHD, resisting the lure of quick results is especially hard.
Our executive function challenges make it difficult to sustain effort without immediate rewards. When we don’t see progress right away, it’s easy to give up.
Why People Give Up New Routines
It is common for people, including neurodivergent adults, to give up on new routines, systems, or habits. I know this all too well.
We set unrealistic expectations, expecting quick results
We dismiss little progress as not enough
We rely on motivation, forgetting that motivation is followed by action
When something doesn't work the first time, we dismiss it as useless
This year, I set a goal to lift weights three times a week...I’ve barely lifted at all.
Why?
Because after lifting for a week, I didn’t look stronger or feel different. My brain craved instant results, and when they didn’t come, I dismissed the effort as pointless.
I told myself a story that sounded like this: lifting three times per week is pointless. I should be lifting more often but I don't have time.
In hindsight, I realized I was making an excuse to cope with my unrealistic expectations. I blamed my "lack of time", and gave up.
But those small steps build the root system for our future success. If I had committed to lifting this year, I would surely look and feel strong now.
Honestly, I kind of regret giving up on my goal. So this week, I'm working on metacognition and shifting my mindset to be like bamboo.
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How to Stick with a Habit: Be Like Bamboo
Here’s the truth:
Growth—whether physical, financial, or personal—takes time.
You won’t look stronger after one week of lifting weights.
Saving $20 this month won’t make you rich overnight.
Completing one step of a project doesn’t mean the work is done.
But each of those actions matters.
Small, consistent steps build momentum, strengthen executive function skills, and lead to meaningful change over time. Like bamboo, most of our growth happens under the surface, where you can’t see it.
How to Start Building Your Roots
Pick One Goal You’ve Let Slide
Go back to the goals you wrote this year and choose one—just one—to focus on for the next 90 days.
I'm committing to lifting weights three times each week for the next 90 days.
Set a Small, Manageable Target
Forget perfection. Instead, start small.
For example:
Lift weights once this week.
Transfer $5 into a savings account on Friday.
Fold laundry for 5 minutes.
Focus on Effort, Not Results
Don’t expect immediate, visible changes. That's not what we are aiming for at first.
Remind yourself that big results take time. And, every small action you take is helping you grow into the person you want to become. It’s not easy, but take pride in each small step forward—it’s a win worth acknowledging.
Track Your Wins
Track every time you complete a small step or take action using a simple habit tracker. Seeing your progress builds motivation to continue.
Summary
The story of the bamboo tree reminds us that growth often starts invisibly. For years, the tree builds a root system before shooting up 90 feet in six weeks.
Similarly, improving executive function skills, building habits, or achieving goals takes time and consistent effort, especially for neurodivergent people.
To grow like bamboo…
pick one goal
set a small, manageable target for the week
focus on effort rather than results
track your wins
Each small step lays the foundation for something incredible. Forget about instant results. Focus on the process. Be patient.
By being like bamboo, you’ll grow into the person you were meant to be.
P.S.
If you want to work on your adult executive function skills, consider joining dozens of others who graduated from our Adult Executive Function Skills 101 course. This course teaches you skills to strengthen your time management, personal finances, and more. Learn more.
About the Author
Eric Kaufmann is a Professional Educational Therapist and Certified Executive Function Coach. He is the Co-founder of UpSkill Specialists, an online adult executive function coaching company that guides adults in overcoming disorganization, procrastination, and productivity roadblocks so they can unlock their potential. He is also the founder of Elevate Learning Solutions, an Educational Therapy practice located in San Clemente, CA, that supports neurodivergent students in becoming independent and confident.