The Squeegee Example: Building Habits That Stick

As we know, consistent action—or habits—are the difference-maker between those who succeed and those who just wish they could.

When it comes to building habits, I’d like to share a personal story I call the Squeegee Example.

The Problem: Water Spots

When my wife and I moved into our home in 2022, it was our first experience with a glass-wall shower. The water spots left on the glass drove my wife nuts, and we had to find a solution.

We tried everything:

• Spot-free cleaners.
• Glass treatments.

But nothing worked as consistently as one simple habit: using a squeegee after each shower.

Building the Habit

At first, I hated using the squeegee. Not because it was hard, but because it was “another thing” I had to do in the morning. So, how did I make it stick?

1. Make the Reminder Unavoidable We placed the squeegee right next to the shampoo and body wash bottles. It was impossible to ignore, making it the trigger I needed to remind myself.
2. Repetition Over Time Eventually, it became automatic. When I turned off the water, I grabbed the squeegee without thinking.

Lessons from the Squeegee

This small habit taught me some big lessons about building consistency:

1. You Don’t Have to Enjoy It Habits don’t require enjoyment—they require repetition. I don’t love using the squeegee, but I do it because it’s effective.
2. Habits Work Regardless of Circumstances Once it’s a habit, it becomes second nature. I still squeegee, even when I know my wife will shower right after me.
3. Habits Are Fragile When the habit isn’t needed (like when I travel), it’s easy to lose. When I return home, I have to intentionally rebuild the habit until it sticks again.
4. Consequences Help Consequences can be great motivators. If I forget to squeegee, my wife is quick to remind me. That accountability helps me stay consistent.

Your Turn

What habit are you working on this week?

• What triggers or reminders can you put in place to help you build it?
• What consequences can you set to keep yourself accountable?

Remember, habits don’t have to be complicated or enjoyable—they just have to be consistent. Whether it’s a small task like the squeegee or a major life change, the process is the same.

Think of the Squeegee Example the next time you’re trying to go from “wish I could” to “glad I did.”

What’s Your Squeegee? What habits have you built or are you working on? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear your strategies!

Follow Me and Stay Connected

• LinkedIn: Follow me here
• Instagram: @davidaspecht
• More Leadership Resources: 21st Century Leadership Institute | DavidASpecht.com
• Get My Book: Old Dogs New Tricks Version 2.0 on Amazon

If you're looking for a speaker or mentor to inspire your team with actionable leadership lessons, DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram. Let’s build stronger leaders together.