The best way to acquire new habits is to live with people who already have those habits and qualities.
Spending a week with a friend who is very calm and less neurotic made me very similar to him, and I can see the difference clearly in how I manage my time, energy, and tasks. He manages his mental space by avoiding distractions, not overloading himself, and keeping a very simple routine. That way, he’s reliable at getting things done without being overwhelmed by commitments.
A juggling instructor once told me, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” He and I had the same goal three years ago. I tried to get there quicker, while he took his time getting to the point. In the end, he reached the goal and I failed. So maybe it’s okay to take time, make the path smoother, and avoid burnouts and crashes.