AP 808: The Book That Almost Didn’t Happen: How Sticky Habits Became a Book | Behind the Scenes, Part 2
About ProgressShow Notes
I'm taking you behind the scenes of how my book, "Sticky Habits," came to life. It's a journey that almost didn't happen, rooted in my personal struggle with perfectionism and the need for habits that align with who we truly are. I learned that traditional habit-formation methods often ignore the unique challenges women face, particularly with invisible labor and mental load. This realization pushed me to create a method that genuinely helps women reclaim their happiness through sustainable habits.
Turning this vision into reality was a rollercoaster of courses, coaching, and eventually, a book. I was on the brink of self-publishing when a publisher’s unexpected interest led me to rethink everything. Securing an agent and navigating contract negotiations were challenging, but essential. If my journey resonates with you, I invite you to be part of it by pre-ordering the book. Let's transform women's habit creation to impact their lives meaningfully.
Snag your ticket for About Progress LIVE
Preorder Sticky Habits book today!
Join the Book Launch Committee for behind-the-scenes and first peeks at all things book.
Join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around for good.
Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from About Progress
In this Growth Spurt, I share a moment from narrating my audiobook for Sticky Habits when I spotted small errors that survived countless rounds of editing. Spiraling into self-doubt, I had to remind myself that even masterpieces like Harry Potter and Oppenheimer aren't perfect — and that mistakes aren't just unavoidable, they're a necessary part of the path. The only way to avoid mistakes is by not trying, and that's the biggest mistake of all.
How many times have you caught yourself scrolling and immediately thought, "Oh no, I did it again. I seriously need more self-control"? I've done this too. We all do. But what if scrolling isn't proof that you lack discipline? In this episode, I talk with Ruby Ryba, author of How to Stop Scrolling, about a much more compassionate way to use our phones less.
Ever wonder why you feel like you have to hustle for everything, or why one critical comment can undo a whole good day? In this clip, Jessica Hottel gets honest about growing up in survival mode and how those early beliefs followed her into adulthood: the approval-chasing, the trouble resting, and the shutting down when she felt triggered.
After months of interviews for my book Sticky Habits, one question kept coming up: "How do you make time for self-care habits?" And it stopped me in my tracks. We love to say "just make time," but honestly? I think that reeks of toxic positivity. I spent a year and a half waking up at 5:00 AM to write my book while walking, doing strength training, and running on fumes — and it nearly broke me. You will never make time for everything — need, good, or worthy — and that's not just okay, it's the whole point. So let's talk about what it really means to make time for what matters, without losing yourself in the process.
Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "I'm just bad at this"? I've been there too — wrong-size rugs, bad paint colors, the works. In this episode, I talk with interior decorating educator Dani Watson about why perfectionism — not lack of talent — is what really keeps us stuck. Dani shares her own messy learning journey and teaches us that decorating is a skill anyone can build.