At BAM, we’re big fans of tiny but mighty. Whether it’s a five-minute rule, a calendar trick, or a team ritual that keeps things flowing, we know that small habits—done consistently—can make a big impact.
I recently dropped this question in Slack: “What’s a small habit or ritual that’s made a difference in how you work?”
Here’s what we learned from the responses—and why we’re keeping these habits close.
1. Turn Talk Into To-Dos, Fast
Shared by: Courtney Joslin
The habit: After every meeting, share your action items immediately.
Why we love it: It eliminates post-meeting fog and moves everyone straight from “what we discussed” to “what’s next.” Plus, no more wondering who’s doing what. According to the forgetting curve, we forget up to 50% of information within an hour unless we take immediate action. Sharing action items right away ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
2. Calendar Over Chaos
Shared by: Courtney Crockett
The habit: Don’t just make a to-do list—schedule it. Slot tasks into your calendar like appointments.
Why we love it: You’re way more likely to do the thing if it’s blocked on your calendar. If it doesn’t get done? No sweat—roll it to the next open spot and keep moving. Plus, it builds a better understanding of your time.
3. Let Inbox Obsession Go
Shared by: Julian Paolino
The habit: Stop obsessing over keeping your inbox at zero.
Why we love it: Constantly reacting to every ping slows down deeper work. If it's urgent, respond quickly. Otherwise, schedule daily blocks to go through your inbox and get back to your actual priorities.
4. The 5-Minute Rule
Shared by: Sara Jamhour
The habit: If something takes less than five minutes—just do it. Right now.
Why we love it: It keeps tiny tasks from turning into tomorrow’s stress. Sara's pro tip: Use your calendar for everything (deadlines, tasks, reminders, your dog's vet appointments... everything).
5. The Power of “Five Things”
Shared by: Lauren Grassetti
The habit: Every Monday, BAMfs log five things we want to accomplish for the week—whether work-related or personal. (And for the record, we started this before Elon Musk's controversial version).
Why we love it: By focusing on just five priorities, we stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. It’s a simple but effective way to stay grounded, ensuring we make progress on big projects and personal tasks that often get pushed aside. It's a helpful reminder to balance our work and personal lives.
6. Ruthless Routine
Shared by: Beck Bamberger
The habit: Stick to a routine like your life depends on it.
Why we love it: When everything else feels like a whirlwind, routine is your foundation. It’s how Beck does all the things—without burning out.
Small Moves Matter
We don’t believe in hustle for hustle’s sake. We believe in thoughtful habits that help you protect your time, prioritize what matters, and feel in control. And it turns out, most of them are simple. Small habits equal big freedom. What’s one you’re keeping?
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