The surprising power of a weekly habit

Good day,

In today’s newsletter, you can find out what my yard and a 64-gallon compost bin have taught me.

All the best,

#14 | 25 August 2025

The surprising power of a weekly habit

Over the past year, I started making it a priority to fill our city compost bin by Sunday night for Monday pick-up. Not once in a while, but every single week (spring, summer, and fall). And not half full. Pushed down and filled to the brim.

The result has been remarkable.

We have a large yard with mature trees and shrubs, too many places for weeds to grow, and two lawns to mow. It used to feel a little overwhelming. There was always something that seemed urgent, and I never felt caught up.

But when I committed to one thing—filling that bin each week—the yard started taking care of itself. Not really, but it almost feels like it!

I don’t need to find a big chunk of time to do yard work. I just look around throughout the week and notice what needs to go. Sometimes I need to focus on weeds; at other times, it's pruned branches, grass clippings, and leaves.

It’s also worth noting that the compost bin offers a natural limit. I can stop doing yard work when the bin is full, satisfied that I’ve done enough.

And, yes, sometimes I’m out there filling the bin as the sun sets on Sunday. The point is: I'm committed to getting it done.

As long as I keep that weekly rhythm, the yard stays under control. It’s not perfect, but it’s not stressful either.

Running a small business can feel a lot like my yard. There’s always something demanding your attention: marketing, admin, email, finances, client work. It can feel endless and overwhelming.

Here's the good news. You can start making real progress by choosing one habit and sticking with it. Something small but meaningful. It could be sending one email to your list, following up with one client, or recording your income and expenses every Monday.

You don’t need to tackle everything at once. If you focus on one important thing, week in and week out, you’ll start seeing results. And one good habit can lead to another.

What’s your version of filling the compost bin—for your business or life?

Choose a task you can commit to every week. Something that helps you feel more in control of your life or business.

When you do that thing consistently, your business (or at least that part of it) will start to feel more manageable.

I can help small business owners stay on top of their commitments by taking something off their plates. If you’re ready to start making progress, let me know if you need a hand.

If reading this on theowlsedge.ca, subscribers can log in and leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

Hoot worthy: Compostable paper bags

Since I was talking about composting in this issue, I want to mention my favourite way to collect kitchen compost: 100% compostable paper bags.

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