Why I Started OGAD: A Letter From the Founder

Today, and every day, is truly a gift. Maybe that's why they call it the present. 🎁

This year, those words took on a deeper meaning for me.

For the first time in my career, I had to step away from work to take a medical leave. Between doctor's appointments, navigating insurance, and trying to recover, I suddenly found myself with something I wasn't used to: a lot of unstructured time.

For as long as I could remember, my life had been built around structure. Meetings, deadlines, and deliverables filled my Monday through Friday. There was always something to work toward.

And suddenly, there wasn't.

My only goal was to rest. Yet somehow, I felt restless. Unproductive. Even guilty for not accomplishing anything, despite knowing that rest was exactly what I needed.

It made me wonder: What if feeling accomplished didn't have to mean accomplishing something big?

A Post-it note a day

So I started a simple ritual. Every morning, I'd write down one small, achievable goal on a Post-it note. Some days, it was meditating for ten minutes. Other days, it was taking a walk after lunch, calling an old friend, doing twenty squats, or drinking a cup of warm water when I woke up.

Nothing extraordinary. Just one small, intentional action I could look forward to accomplishing. And instead of immediately moving on to the next thing, I made a point to acknowledge and celebrate it.

I realized that even the smallest wins can give us a sense of purpose, progress, and joy.

I wasn't alone

As I started sharing this experience with friends, I realized I wasn't alone.

One friend, who was on maternity leave, described feeling like she was living in Groundhog Day. Every day was a familiar cycle of feeding, burping, changing diapers, and caring for her newborn. As much as she loved her baby, she also wanted to feel like herself outside of being a new mom.

So she started finding one small thing to do for herself each day. Sometimes it was putting on a real outfit instead of staying in pajamas. Sometimes it was doing a face mask. Other days, it was simply remembering to step outside and get some fresh air.

Different circumstances, but a familiar feeling: the desire to reclaim a little sense of self, purpose, and joy in the everyday.

It made me realize that we don't always need grand ambitions or major life changes to feel like we're moving forward. Sometimes, we just need one small thing to look forward to, accomplish, and feel good about.

How OGAD was born

Behavioral science has long emphasized the power of tiny habits and small, consistent actions. But I wanted to take that idea one step further.

What if we made everyday progress something worth celebrating, together?

That's how OGAD, One Goal A Day, was born.

The idea is simple. Set one small goal for yourself each day, or join a plan of achievable daily goals inspired by friends, creators, and communities you admire. Take action, reflect on what you've accomplished, and celebrate the little wins alongside others doing the same.

Not every goal has to be life-changing. Not every day has to be productive. And not every accomplishment needs to be extraordinary.

Sometimes, the smallest things are the ones that make the biggest difference over time.

Because I believe a fulfilling life isn't just built on big milestones. It's built on the little moments and small wins that make up our everyday lives.

My hope is that OGAD helps us live a little more intentionally, feel a little more connected, and find something worth celebrating every single day.

Start small. Start today.

So here's my invitation to you: Start small. Start today.

Think of one thing you've been meaning to do, something that would make today feel just a little more meaningful. Set it as your goal. Give it a try. And when you accomplish it, take a moment to celebrate. Share that win with someone, and cheer them on as they work toward theirs.

Imagine what could happen if we all made a little more room in our lives for the things that matter to us, one day at a time.

One day. One goal. One small win. And a whole community cheering you on.

After all, today is a gift. Let's make the most of it. 🎁

With love, Jess