Leo Babauta from Zen Habits (called the Best Blog on Personal Effectiveness) is known as one of the big Get-It-Done people on the web. I wanted to find out however, if he was always this way. The quick answer? No way (in fact he laughed at the idea of being so organized all his life). Here’s what he had to say in detail:
Who: Leo Babauta from Zen Habits
Leo writes about things that spark his passion and he shares what he’s learned with others.
What variety of Someday Syndrome affected you the most? In what way?
Probably “Someday My Ship Will Come In” … for years I didn’t do anything about my dreams of being a writer (even though I was a journalist) because I figured it would happen someday. It wasn’t until I realized I had to make it happen that things started to take shape.
How did it affect the rest of your life?
Well, my life was kind of in a holding pattern, so nothing was really happening (except that I was falling in love and having children!).
How would you describe your happiness level at that time?
I was happy with my family life, but in general I was not very excited about my work. That meant that going into work was just a job for me, and that made the work boring and stressful at the same time. I wasn’t very happy with all of that, and of course it spilled over into the rest of my life.
Did the other varieties of Someday Syndrome appear in your life as well?
Sure, I’ve experienced all of them at one time or another. Procrastination on my goals was common, because I had to take care of the daily work and didn’t have time for the long-term dreams. Clutter was a problem for awhile, but for at least five years now I’ve been great with reducing and eliminating clutter from my life.
What changed? Was it gradual or did it come as an epiphany? Perhaps a mix the two?
It started when I quit smoking (for the 7th and final time). I realized that I had the power to change my habits, and in doing so change my life. I learned the power of positive thinking, of motivation, of gradual change. So I had an epiphany, but the changes to my life were gradual, one baby step at a time. Slowly I started changing my habits: running and exercise, eating healthy and waking early, getting productive and organized, reducing my debt and clutter, and finally living my dream.
What dream are you in the process of realizing?
I’m living the dream of being a full-time blogger, writing about things I love every day. I’m also publishing a book at the end of 2008 called The Power of Less, and that is another dream that is being realized for me. It’s a lifetime dream and I’m incredibly excited about it!
How would you describe your happiness level now?
I’m amazingly happy now, living the simple life full of passion, love and energy that I always dreamed about. I am surrounded by the people I love, doing things that I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do.
What advice would you give someone in the position you were in before?
Change is possible, but it takes one step at a time. Focus on one small change, using the power of positive thinking and motivation, and achieve success. Use that success to move on to the next small change. If you fail, learn from it and try again. Over time, you’ll see how much you’ve accomplished using just baby steps.
19 Responses to “Success Comes from Slow Change: Leo Babauta Interview”
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Oh, that was a neat interview. Heh, Leo, you make change sound easy. But yeah, baby steps and slowly making changes is the way to go.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last blog post..How to Increase Your Rates for the New Year
Leo, thanks so much for sharing your story and inspiring others. Quitting smoking is huge and is an encouragement to anyone struggling with change. Each time you quit I am sure that you learned something new. Quitting was not a one time thing but a journey. Too often we kick ourselves when we try and seemingly fail but the failing teaches us and makes us stronger. I would say that you did not quit 7 times, but that there was one journey of quitting and relapses were all a part of it.
Alex, thank you so much for all of these wonderful interviews. Got my dose of Monday inspiration now off to conquer the world!
Karen Swim´s last blog post..A Month of Giving
@ Karen - That’s why I don’t quit. (I know, excuses.) I tried once. Made it down slowly to one smoke a day. What’d people say? “If you can’t quit all the way, you might as well keep smoking. You’re not strong enough.”
Yeah? Thanks. Back up to my usual, guys.
Even worse? I mentioned trying again recently to a few people. They said, “If you’re going to quit, then quit. Don’t bother if you can’t throw your pack away the day you decide.”
Yeah? Okay, thanks guys. Guess I’ll just keep at it.
Moral of the story? Support change - even if it’s small steps and takes a long time.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last blog post..Drive-by-Shooting Sundays: The Antisocial Social Worker
@James, I support you! Down with the haters! If you have to put the pack down 110 times each time you put it down you’ve won. People are idiots! *Hugging James* If I knew bad words in French, I’d be tempted to say them right now but instead I’ll just say stupid poopyheads!
Karen Swim´s last blog post..A Month of Giving
It sounds about right when he says that his life was in somewhat of a “holding pattern”, as that is what it looks like after the right way to use it is found. The amount of activity that occurs when one finds their correct item of production makes past time look like a slow-moving time of confusion.
Armen Shirvanian´s last blog post..Ways To Respond To Events Presented To You
@James
Yeah, the decision to change seems easy, but following through is always hard - like Leo’s 7 attempts at quitting smoking.
You also make a great point about the support networks and I’ll challenge to something - you seem to have no problem ignoring or combating the negativity around your choice of colour-scheme on MwP, but the lack of support around quitting smoking makes you give it up. What’s the difference? To me it’s confidence, belief and desire. Perhaps you don’t want to quit smoking?
@Karen
I like how you call it a process of change and not failing but having relapses and setbacks. It’s a much more positive way of thinking about it (and btw, now that you’ve finished NaNoWriMo, I’m so going to chase you down for an interview).
@Armen
Yes, when we look back after discovering our passion, everything leading up to it just seems like wasted time or slow-moving at the very least.
Great interview Alex, I’m a big fan of Leo and his ‘get it done’ attitude shines through. You can see this more clearly with how quickly he’s been able to grow his blog through hard & smart work.
Stumbled!
Cheers,
Glen
Glen Allsopp´s last blog post..How to Get Someone or Something, Off Your Mind
I am smack dab in the middle of learning that “less is more.” And when I say smack dab in the middle, I mean that I’m surrounded by stuff that I’m in the middle of sorting out, tossing, selling and giving away.
What I wouldn’t give to have both you and Leo in my house, RIGHT NOW, to direct this!
Karen Putz´s last blog post..Uncovering Written Memories
*scrrrreeecchhh…jumps up and down waving, out of breath* I’m here, I’m here!
No need to chase I would gladly be a rat in your lab any day! 
Karen Swim´s last blog post..7 Gifts You Can Give Yourself this Holiday Season
Hey Leo. Interesting about quitting smoking being your catalyst for change. When I first quit, I felt like I was going crazy for a while. But once I realized I could do THAT, it really did start to feel like I could do other things too.
James, I have a few friends who have quit your way. Different things work for different people. One thing I learned about quitting smoking is that most people don’t understand quitting smoking.
And even some of the folks I know who have quit still think everyone else should quit their way. Kinda sad.
Alex, thanks for letting me know about this one. I’ve been looking forward to it.
Amy Derby´s last blog post..Hump Day Reading for the Restless Soul
You interviewed one of my favorite bloggers - how cool!
I’m looking forward to reading Leo’s book. There’s just something wonderful about new books.
Brianna´s last blog post..Starting With a Thankful Heart as Things Fall into Place
Hi Alex,
Great Interview. I am definitely a fan of Leo’s blog. Looking forward to checking out some of these other interviews you have done.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Jeremy Day´s last blog post..Use It or Lose It
[...] Success Comes from Slow Change: Leo Babauta Interview at Someday Syndrome [...]
@Glen
Yes, it seems like once Leo decides something he moves forward and doesn’t mind the setbacks - he just keeps trying. We can all learn a lot from that kind of attitude.
@Karen
The easiest way to streamline what you have is to ask yourself: love it or need it? If not, it goes. The trick is to determine what the line on love/need is. Do you set it high and get rid of lots or set it low and get rid of just a few things?
@Amy
Thanks for making that important point - there is never just one way. This is the problem I’ve always had with organized religion; they almost all say there is only one way. Nu’unh! There are billions of ways.
@Brianna
Glad you liked the interview - I too am interested in seeing Leo’s book when it comes out.
@Jeremy
Glad you came to visit! I see you’ve commented on another interview as well. Hope to see you back and participating in the discussions!
Alex, that’s the problem I have with organized religion too. Exactly. Nothing against religious folks; it’s just not for me… for precisely that reason.
Amy Derby´s last blog post..Hump Day Reading for the Restless Soul
[...] Babauta is the man behind Zenhabits, a popular personal productivity blog and one of my favorites. He was interviewed by Someday Syndrome about how he can make changes in his life and his advice for anybody who wants [...]
HI Alex and Leo - What a great interview. I love the part where Leo talks about baby steps. If we can break a big goal down into smaller ones and take baby steps, I think we’re more apt to succeed. Often when we look at the “big” picture, we get discouraged.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Come Out, Come Out, Where Ever You Are
100% Congratulations on your efforts and success. Continued success to you and Thank you for writing this which will help others.
FrancoisTheo´s last blog post..New Music to Rock Your World!