The Seinfeld Strategy
Day 20 / 365
Jerry Seinfeld is a trailblazer in the world of comedy, becoming the first comedian to reach millionaire status. However, his success is not just a result of luck or fluke; it’s a testament to his hard work, determination, and discipline.
One of Seinfeld’s key strategies was his “Seinfeld Strategy” — a daily routine of writing jokes, no matter the circumstances. He placed a large calendar on his wall and, every day, he would sit down and write jokes, marking the day with a red X once he was finished. His only rule was to never miss a day, regardless of whether he was working or feeling unwell, and whether or not the jokes he wrote would ever be used.
This strategy was effective for two reasons. Firstly, it provided a set task for every day, eliminating the need to constantly think about what to work on. Secondly, as the days passed, the growing chain of X’s on the calendar became a visual representation of his progress and a powerful motivator to continue.
I can personally attest to the effectiveness of this strategy, having implemented a similar routine during a “1-blog-a-day challenge” in 2019. The motivation to maintain the streak was so strong that I continued writing daily blogs for a month after the challenge was over.
The secret to success, as Seinfeld and my own experience has shown, is not about finding complex solutions, but about doing simple things with great intent and discipline.