[Flash] Streaking (With Your Clothes On)

Then in 2011, the messaging app Snapchat repurposed the term “streak” to gamify the act of exchanging messages multiple days in a row. Snapchat refers to this uninterrupted chain as a “Snapstreak.” The app tracks these streaks and encourages users to continue their daily exchanges.

And now there is a new kind of streaking: Goal Streaking – a continuous series of one activity in pursuit of a goal.

Goal Steaking examples:

• exercise-daily streak
• recognize-someone-weekly-for-their-work streak
• make-a-new-connection streak
• make-the-bed streak
• team-huddle streak
• arrive-early-to-meetings-to-connect-and-banter streak
• return-emails-in-24-hours streak
• monthly-mentoring-conversations streak

Personally, I have two unbroken streaks that continue to shape my life:

(1) My Flossing Streak
In 2005, I had a dentist crush on Dr. Michael Hing when I lived in San Francisco. His warm, gentle personality prevented me from lying to him about flossing my teeth (like I had to other dentists!) So, I challenged myself to floss every night for one month before my next appointment. This evolved into my now 6,205-day flossing streak and has positively contributed to my dental health.

(2) My Writing Streak
I started my writing streak in March 2015 to hone my skills and consistently connect with my circle. The weekly Flash! article was born. I credit my now 364-week streak with expanding my network, strengthening our mentoring programs with weekly content, and generating my latest book (In a Flash!) and my next one: Jolt of Flash! (available Q4 2022).

Recently, I discovered two apps designed to support any of our habit-creating, goal-driving streaks:

• streaksapp.com
• goalstreaks.com

Like Snapchat and our Mentors, each app prompts, chronicles, and celebrates our commitment to any activity.

From the goalstreaks site: “The best way to achieve your goals is by taking regular, meaningful steps towards them.”

With fierce intentionality and relentless commitment, we can shift or create any habit, opening the gateway to our goals.

What streak will you start? 

© 2022. Ann Tardy and Mentor Lead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.