I used to struggle with laziness, procrastination, and a habit of failing at things. No matter the area—fitness, career, family, or relationships—I would set goals, achieve them, and then revert to my old ways, losing all progress.
I even began to doubt myself for harboring these psychological patterns, consciously steering myself towards failure despite achieving success.
Reflection
Upon reflecting on these matters, I came to understand my cyclical pattern of achievement and regression. There could be numerous underlying reasons for this, including:
- Short-term goal focus
- Lack of sustainable habits
- Identity disconnect
- Fear of success
- Imposter syndrome
- Comfort with failure
Decision
But I’ve experienced it all. I’m striving to break free from these patterns.
I can’t keep going down this same path. I crave something unique, something I create myself. A path that guides me to success on my own terms. I’ve already conquered the 75 Hard challenge. I’ve read several books like “Atomic Habits” and “The Compound Effect.” Yet, after completing these short-term tasks, I always find myself reverting back to square one.
How do I break free from these cycles? How do I maintain consistency? How do I achieve lasting results and sustain success? These are the questions I’m exploring with the Decade Mindset.
I thought, why not engage in something that doesn’t end quickly? Something that remains engaging, yet provides room for improvement. A plan that liberates me from this short-term mentality, emphasizing broader goals while acting on smaller ones. A strategy that is specific and deliberate.
Plan
The D.E.C.A.D.E. Framework isn’t entirely new; it draws inspiration from challenges I’ve completed and books I’ve absorbed. It’s a concept that will evolve over the next decade.
D.E.C.A.D.E. stands for “Daily for a Decade,” representing a commitment to follow a specific routine over the long term:
- D – Disciplined Daily Routine
- E – Exercise & Eat Well
- C – Create Income
- A – Acquire Knowledge
- D- Digital Detox & Develop Relationships
- E – Evaluation & Evolve
D – Disciplined Daily Routine
Create a personalized daily routine based on your current situation and 10-year goals.
| Write your routine on a visual chart, print it, and display it prominently in your room. |
| Follow this routine strictly for 10 Years. |
| At the end of each month, review and make ONE improvement to your routine. |
Impact: Routine creates structure, reduces decision fatigue, and increases productivity. By strictly following a routine for 10 years, you’ll develop an unbreakable discipline.
Long-term benefits: Discipline becomes second nature. You’ll accomplish more, waste less time, and achieve goals that others find daunting. Your increased productivity can lead to career advancements, personal projects completed, and a sense of control over your life.
E – Exercise & Eat Well
Two 45-minute exercise sessions: one cardio, one strength or flexibility.
| Set a realistic daily calorie-burn goal and track your progress. |
| No cheat meals allowed. (No Junk food, No Cold Drinks) |
| Drink 4 Liters water Everyday. |
Impact: Regular exercise and clean eating optimize your physical health, mental clarity, and energy levels. Setting calorie-burn goals makes you accountable.
Long-term benefits: After a decade, you’ll likely have excellent cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. The no-junk policy can prevent lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart issues. High water intake supports overall health. You’ll look and feel younger than peers who neglected health.
C – Create Income
Everyday you have to do something that creates income for yourself.
| This doesn’t mean you have must earn everyday. |
| Set Income goals (Decade, Yearly, Monthly). |
| Keep accounting. |
Impact: Daily focus on income growth instills a constant entrepreneurial mindset. Setting and tracking monthly goals makes you strategic about earning.
Long-term benefits: Over 10 years, you might start a successful business, rise to a high-paying position, or create multiple income streams. Consistent accounting means you’ll understand your finances deeply. Your earning potential could skyrocket, providing financial freedom and the ability to invest in bigger goals.
A – Acquire Knowledge
Read Minimum 10 pages of non fictional books and 30 minutes of listening to podcast daily.
| You can not skip ongoing book and podcast. |
| Choose topics that align with your personal, professional, or financial goals. |
| Take notes or summarize what you’ve learned. |
Impact: Reading 10 pages (3,650 pages/year) and 30 minutes of podcasts daily amounts to significant learning. Focusing on non-fiction and aligning with your goals makes this knowledge actionable.
Long-term benefits: In a decade, you’ll have read the equivalent of 150+ books and listened to 1,800+ hours of expert insights. This knowledge compounds, making you an expert in your fields of interest. You’ll make smarter decisions, become a valuable resource in your network, and possibly innovate in your industry.
D- Digital Detox & Develop Relationships
Set specific “no-tech” hours each day (e.g., 1 hour before bed).
| During this time, avoid all screens (phone, TV, computer). |
| Relaxation or meditation. |
| Connecting with family, friends, or mentors. |
Impact: Daily screen-free time reduces stress, improves sleep quality, and forces meaningful human connections. Meditation enhances mindfulness.
Long-term benefits: After 10 years, you’ll have spent 3,650+ hours on self-reflection and relationships. This can lead to deep self-understanding, strong familial bonds, a robust support network, and possibly life-changing mentorships. Good relationships are linked to longevity and happiness.
E – Evaluation & Evolve
Daily Journal Evaluation to stay on track.
| Keep Journal. |
| Answer The Questions everyday. |
| Reflect and Improve. |
Impact: Daily journaling makes you self-aware, helps you learn from mistakes, and celebrate wins. It’s a tool for continuous improvement.
Long-term benefits: Over a decade, you’ll have an immense personal archive (3,650 entries) tracking your journey. You’ll see patterns, understand your triggers, and have a clear view of your personal evolution. This self-knowledge is power, helping you make life decisions aligned with your true self.
The Magic of Consistency:
- Compound Effect: Small daily actions compound dramatically. A 1% improvement daily means you’re 37 times better in a year, and exponentially more in a decade.
- Habit Formation: Experts say it takes 18-254 days to form a habit. Doing these activities for 10 years means they’ll become as natural as breathing.
- Holistic Growth: This framework targets physical health, financial wealth, intellectual growth, emotional wellbeing, and social connections. Progress in one area often boosts others.
After a Decade:
- Health: You’ll likely be in peak physical condition, possibly looking and feeling a decade younger.
- Wealth: You could be financially independent, with multiple income streams.
- Knowledge: You’ll be a polymath, with expertise that sets you apart professionally and personally.
- Relationships: You’ll have deep, nurturing connections and possibly a reputation as a wise, balanced individual.
- Personal Mastery: Your discipline, self-awareness, and adaptability will make you resilient to life’s challenges.
Conclusion
In essence, consistently following the D.E.C.A.D.E. framework doesn’t just improve your life; it has the potential to completely transform it.
In 10 years, you won’t just have achieved specific goals; you’ll have become the kind of person who achieves great things as a matter of course.
Your life could be an inspiration to others, proving the power of consistent, focused effort across all dimensions of personal growth.
Next Step: Creating a Routine for Month 1