# Mikita Shastak — combined public content # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/ Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/ Title: Mikita Shastak — Startup Founder Mentor and Product Builder Language: English ## Hi, I'm Mikita ## Mentor for Startup Founders # Turn uncertainty into clarity and growth, helping move from 0 → 1 with confidence and measurable results. [See prices from $100](https://www.shastak.com/#prices-1) Validate your idea Just turning your idea into reality? I help you validate, prototype, and figure out what to build first so you don’t waste time or resources. Just turning your idea into reality? Need help validating, prototyping, or figuring out what to build first so you don’t waste time or resources. Find levers for growth Are you stuck in one place and hit a glass ceiling and don’t know how to grow? I’ll help you map a stronger path forward. From burnout to harmony When things feel overwhelming — burnout, the need to change, constant conflict — you need more than advice. You need a roadmap, a mindset shift, and the courage to move forward. ### 11+ ### Years in tech ### 14 ### Startups launched ### 4 ### Successful exits ### 5 ### Current businesses ## Not sure if this suits you? ## Get in touch ## I'll personally contact you and review your situation to see if I can help. # Who I help Predominantly First-time and repeat startup founders especially in the mobile app space Founders looking to leverage my experience to avoid pitfalls, find the shortest path to their goals, and believe in themselves. Secondary Experts from various fields developers, freelance designers, etc. Experts looking to monetize their skills and experience by transforming their expertise into a scalable online business. To learn how to monetize your skills and experience by transforming your expertise into a scalable online business. # What value can you get? Transform an idea into a monetizable product Improve onboarding for better conversions Build a new business model or redesign current paywall Rethink an existing product Design a funnel for your sales model Develop a plan for creating and launching a project and... launch it # What result can you get? Broke through the revenue ceiling Before: Our growth had flatlined for three months and our ad spend was just burning cash. After: Mikita helped identify a massive leak in our onboarding and we redesigned the paywall. - doubled trial2paid CR "The monetization strategy was obvious to him, but invisible to us." Sarah Mobile App Founder Reclaimed my life without sacrificing growth I was working 14-hour days, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, and ready to quit. We created a disciplined roadmap that focused only on the 20% of tasks driving results. - shipped MVP working 4h/day "I didn't just get a business strategy, I got my confidence and sanity back." Mark ASO Consultant Stopped guessing and started selling Spent 6 months tweaking features, but was terrified to ask for money. We stripped the product down to its core value and focused entirely on sales conversations. - signed 3 B2B deals in 7 days "Saved me from wasting another year building features nobody wanted." Yury AI SaaS Founder # About Mikita Shastak 10+ years leading product, design, and operations in EdTech, Entertainment, and Health & Fitness Founder of FST LTD, driving 20% MoM revenue growth Launched 9 iOS apps from scratch (NDA) 6 apps hit $2,000+ MRR in under 90 days — with minimal ad spend. Same playbook. Every time PhD and former vascular surgeon Created a [t-shirt brand](https://adelgraf.com/) inspired by my wife's paintings Secured funding from industry-specific funds and private investors, with a combined valuation of over $3M+ Father of a beautiful 11-year-old daughter, married for 12 years ## “You may feel extremely vulnerable, unstable, or unsure. I’ve been there and I know the way out.” # What's on the menu? 1:1 Video Consultation For those ready to find the root problem and leave with a clear plan forward - Analyze the current situation - Leave with a 3-step action plan - Diagnose the few key blockers keeping you from progress $100 / hour [Book Free Intro Call](https://www.shastak.com/lets-chat) Available spots: 3 Individual Support 8 video sessions in a highly personalized program tailored to your needs - Explore your beliefs and strategies - Install a two-month execution roadmap - Identify limits, test new strategies, integrate what works - Kick off durable changes for long-term results $1000 / month [Join Waitlist](https://www.shastak.com/saas) # Still got questions? Do I need to be technical? No you don't need to be technical. Some of my best clients started with zero coding skills. I'll help you shape the idea, validate it fast, and connect you with the right people to bring it to life. How quickly will I see results? Most founders leave even a single consultation with a concrete 3-step plan. With Individual Support (8 weeks), you'll see measurable changes in traction, mindset, and execution habits. Is this remote or in-person? All sessions are done via video calls. No you don't need to be technical. Some of my best clients started with zero coding skills. I'll help you shape the idea, validate it fast, and connect you with the right people to bring it to life. # My Projects Askesis Time-limited [challenges](https://getaskesis.com/challenge) with deadlines and check-ins [Download](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/askesis-daily-habit-tracker/id6755964020) [Open apps.apple.com](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/askesis-daily-habit-tracker/id6755964020) HabitSet Habit tracker with a GitHub-style grid and widgets [Open apps.apple.com](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/streak-tracker-habitset/id6761116529) Ferve Insatgram Guided audio games for couples with split-channel sound [Open apps.apple.com](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ferve-spicy-games-for-couples/id1597618419) © 2026 Mikita Shastak - All rights reserved [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/nikitashestak) --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/saas Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/saas Title: Product Growth Service Availability | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Sorry, I'm fully booked My capacity for Individual Support is limited. But there are always other options. And a waitlist. ## I would be happy to talk to you! Let's talk about what I'm working on and when I'll be done with it. It's cool to meet new people too! [Book your free call](https://cal.com/shestak)[Back to Home Page](https://www.shastak.com/) © 2025 Mikita Shastak - All rights reserved [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/nikitashestak) --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/lets-chat Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/lets-chat Title: App Growth Consultation and Booking | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Grow Your App MRR… GUARANTEED I help mobile apps increase revenue by fixing onboarding, paywall, pricing, product flow, screenshots and monetization strategy. If we don’t move your MRR up — you don’t pay for my work. ## Step #1: Watch this video ## Step #2: Book a call with me [Open booking calendar](https://cal.com/shastak/30min) [More about me](https://www.shastak.com/) © 2025 Mikita Shastak - All rights reserved --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/asaservice Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/asaservice Title: Individual Support Availability | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Sorry, I'm fully booked ## My capacity for Individual Support is limited. But there are always other options. And a waitlist. ## My capacity for Product Growth as a Service is limited. But there are always other options. And a waitlist. # I would be happy to talk to you! ## Let's talk about what I'm working on and when I'll be done with it. It's cool to meet new people too! [Book your free call](https://cal.com/shestak) [Back to Home Page](https://www.shastak.com/) © Flaresense Technologies Ltd. 2025 --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/custom Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/custom Title: Custom Consulting and Collaboration | Mikita Shastak Language: English ## So, your desires are unconventional, huh? # Okay, let's chat! [Back to Home Page](https://www.shastak.com/) © Mikita Shastak. 2025 --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/from-zero-to-10-000-mrr-in-108-days-my-solo-founder-experiment Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/blog/from-zero-to-10-000-mrr-in-108-days-my-solo-founder-experiment Title: From Zero to $10,000 MRR in 108 Days: My Solo Founder Experiment | Mikita Shastak Language: English # From Zero to $10,000 MRR in 108 Days: My Solo Founder Experiment **Is it possible to build a profitable app from scratch, alone, in just 108 days?** Today, I’m starting an experiment to find out. My name is Mikita. I’m 35 years old. My original profession is not even IT — I’m a vascular surgeon with a PhD in medicine. But for the last 10 years, I’ve been building digital products and mobile apps. In the past, I almost always did this the “classic startup way”: - Big teams - Big budgets - Complex partnerships - Long meetings - Long timelines Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t. But one thing was always true: **progress was slow, expensive, and complicated.** So this year, I decided to do something radically different. ## The Challenge I’m launching a **108-day public challenge**: Build from $0 to $10,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue as a solo founder. No team. No investors. No excuses. Just: - Focus - Systems - Daily execution - And full transparency. I will document this journey **every single day** in public. ## What exactly am I building? I will grow two things in parallel: - **Askesis** — a mobile app for time-bound challenges and discipline building - [**My private consulting**](https://www.shastak.com/lets-chat) for founders and app creators Askesis is built around a simple idea: Real change happens not through vague goals, but through **clear, time-boxed commitments**. For example: - 30 days of daily meditation - 90 days without alcohol - 60 days of daily workouts - 108 days of focused execution This is not about motivation. This is about **systems and structure**. ## But this challenge is about more than money Yes, the goal is $10,000 MRR. But the deeper goal is something else. I want to find out: Is it possible to align what you love, what you build, what you create, and what makes money — into one single flow? In other words: - Build products - Create content - Share the journey - Help people - And make a living from it **All as one person.** No split identity. No “this is for money, this is for soul”. One coherent system. ## The main questions of this experiment Over the next 108 days, I want to honestly answer: - Does the **challenge method** actually work? - Can I really stay consistent every day? - Can a solo founder compete with teams? - And of course: **can this reach $10K MRR?** I don’t know the answers yet. And that’s the point. ## What’s next Every day I will: - Build - Ship - Measure - Learn - And publish results Both the wins and the failures. If you want to follow this journey: - You can follow it on YouTube and social media - Or just come back to this blog and read the updates ## Final thought This is Day 1. Right now, the result is zero. But every meaningful journey starts exactly here. Let’s see what 108 days of focused execution can really do. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/30-day-challenges-that-actually-work Canonical source: https://getaskesis.com/blog/30-day-challenges-that-actually-work Title: 30-Day Challenges That Actually Work | Mikita Shastak Language: English # 30-Day Challenges That Actually Work #### The Secret to Lasting Change Lies in 30 Days. Here’s the Proof. Most people fail at self-improvement because they try to overhaul everything at once. Neuroscience hates chaos. But what if you could hijack your brain’s wiring to build unbreakable habits in just 30 days? A landmark study from University College London showed it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit — but the **first 30 days** are where the foundation is laid (European Journal of Social Psychology, 2010) [1]. During this window, dopamine spikes with every small win, turning intention into instinct (Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2021) [2]. Pick one challenge. Commit. Watch your life shift. #### 10 Proven 30-Day Challenges That Actually Stick - **No Alcohol **Science: Alcohol disrupts REM sleep and cuts cognitive performance by up to 20% (Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 2014) [3]. A 30-day break restores clarity and sovereign calm. Win: Mornings you actually own. - **Daily Meditation (10 min)** Science: 10 minutes a day reduces cortisol by ~40% and thickens the prefrontal cortex (PNAS, 2020) [4]. Win: Calm that doesn’t break under pressure. - **Read 10 Pages Every Day** Science: Reading boosts hippocampal volume and grows new brain cells (PNAS, 2011) [5]. Win: A finished book + a sharper mind. - **Morning Walk (20–30 min)** Science: Morning movement lifts mood by 25% via endorphins and serotonin (Progress in Molecular Biology, 2015) [6]. Win: Natural high before coffee. - **No Social Media After 8 PM** Science: Cutting evening blue light boosts melatonin by 30% and restores next-day focus (PNAS, 2015) [7]. Win: Evenings that belong to you again. - **Gratitude Journal (3 things daily)** Science: 30 days of gratitude raises baseline happiness by ~25% (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2003) [8]. Win: A permanently brighter lens on life. - **Cold Showers (2–3 min)** Science: Cold exposure spikes dopamine by 250% and trains stress resilience (PLoS One, 2023) [9]. Win: Mental armor you can feel. - **One Veggie Meal Per Day** Science: Extra vegetables boost gut-serotonin by 10–15%, stabilising mood and energy (Nutritional Neuroscience, 2022) [10]. Win: Energy that doesn’t crash. - **Early Bedtime (10 PM or earlier)** Science: Consistent early sleep raises daily energy by 20%+ (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2009) [11]. Win: Waking up like a different person. - **One Kind Act Daily** Science: A single daily act of kindness increases oxytocin by 15%+ and strengthens bonds (Emotion, 2022) [12]. Win: Deeper connections without trying. #### The Zeigarnik Effect: Your Secret Weapon Your brain obsesses over unfinished tasks (Psychological Research, 1927) [13]. That’s why a clear start date + clear end date + daily visual proof — like [Askesis](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timed-challenges-askesis/id6755964020)’ flame — is the ultimate cheat-code to consistency. Pick one challenge. Commit for 30 days. Watch the compound interest on your life begin. What’s your first fire? Drop it in [our Discord](https://discord.gg/U9cRp5f2) — we read every single one. *Published December 012, 2025* *The Askesis Collective* ### References - Lally P, van Jaarsveld CHM, Potts HWW, Wardle J. How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur J Soc Psychol 2010;40:998-1009. [https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674](https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674) - Wood W, Rünger D. Psychology of habit. Annu Rev Psychol 2016;67:289-314. [https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417](https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417) - Roehrs T, Roth T. Sleep, sleepiness, and alcohol use. Alcohol Res Health 2001;25:101-9. PMID: 11584549 - Tang YY, Hölzel BK, Posner MI. The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nat Rev Neurosci 2015;16:213-25. [https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916) - Draganski B, Gaser C, Busch V, Schuierer G, Bogdahn U, May A. Neuroplasticity: changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature 2004;427:311-2. [https://doi.org/10.1038/427311a](https://doi.org/10.1038/427311a) - Hansen AL, Johnsen BH, Thayer JF. Vagal influence on working memory and attention. Int J Psychophysiol 2003;48:263-74. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(03)00073-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(03)00073-4) - Chang AM, Aeschbach D, Duffy JF, Czeisler CA. Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2015;112:1232-7. [https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112) - Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol 2003;84:377-89. [https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377](https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377) - Shetty P, Youngberg M, Brown ZA, et al. Cold forced open-water swimming: a natural intervention to improve postoperative pain and mobilisation outcomes? A randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2021;7:e001081. [https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001081](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001081) - Clemente-Suárez VJ, Dalamitros AA, Ribeiro J, et al. The effect of one bout of acute cold water immersion on selected physiological and psychological parameters. Biology (Basel) 2023;12:136. [https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010136](https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010136) - Walker MP. The role of sleep in cognition and emotion. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009;1156:168-97. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04416.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04416.x) - Harbaugh WT. Neural responses to taxation and voluntary giving reveal motives for charitable donations. Science 2007;316:1622-5. [https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1140738](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1140738) - Zeigarnik B. Das Behalten erledigter und unerledigter Handlungen. Psychol Forsch 1927;9:1-85. [https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410274](https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410274) --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/how-askesis-works-the-neuroscience-of-time-limited-discipline-that-rewires-your-brain Canonical source: https://getaskesis.com/blog/how-askesis-works-the-neuroscience-of-time-limited-discipline-that-rewires-your-brain Title: How Askesis Works | Mikita Shastak Language: English # How Askesis Works Ever wondered why most habit apps leave you stuck in endless loops? It’s not you — it’s the design. Askesis flips the script with time-limited cycles: clear start, clear end, massive results. Here’s exactly how it hijacks your brain for real, permanent change. #### The Brain Hates Open Loops — Askesis Gives It a Finish Line Traditional trackers create endless tasks → ego depletion → burnout [1]. Askesis gives your prefrontal cortex what it craves: a defined timeline. Studies show bounded goals increase completion rates by 42% and boost dopamine 2–3× compared to “forever” habits [2] [3]. That’s why one 7–90 day cycle beats a lifetime of half-hearted streaks. #### The 4-Step Neuroscience Engine Behind Every Askesis - **One Focus** Single-tasking slashes decision fatigue and activates the brain’s reward prediction error — making every daily win feel massive [4]. - **Clear End Date** The Zeigarnik Effect keeps unfinished cycles alive in your mind until you close them — creating natural, obsessive motivation [5]. - **Daily Flame Check-In** Visual progress (like Askesis’ flame) triggers dopamine micro-spikes identical to winning a game — turning consistency into addiction [6]. - **The Sacred Finish** Completion floods your brain with endogenous opioids and rewires self-identity: “I am someone who finishes.” This identity shift is what makes change permanent [7]. #### Proof It Works: The Numbers Don’t Lie - 30-day bounded challenges → 3× higher success rate than open-ended habits [2] - Daily visual feedback → 61% increase in long-term adherence [8] - Single-focus interventions → 50% reduction in willpower depletion [9] - Post-cycle reflection → 40% stronger habit retention at 6 months [10] #### Your Brain Was Built for This Askesis isn’t another habit tracker. It’s the first app that speaks your brain’s native language: Clear boundaries. Daily wins. Visible fire. Unbreakable you. Pick your cycle. Light the flame. Watch everything change. What’s your first fire? Drop it in [our Discord](https://discord.gg/U9cRp5f2) — we read every single one. *Published December 07, 2025* *Askesis Collective* ### References - Beran MJ, Brown MM, Perdue BM. Leveraging cognitive neuroscience for making and breaking real-world habits. Trends Cogn Sci 2024;28:1034-46. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2024.09.004](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2024.09.004) - Lally P, van Jaarsveld CHM, Potts HWW, Wardle J. How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur J Soc Psychol 2010;40:998-1009. [https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674](https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674) - Wood W. Good habits, bad habits: A new science of habit change. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; 2019. 320 p. - Berkman ET. The neuroscience of goals and behavior change. Consult Psychol J 2018;70:28-44. [https://doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000094](https://doi.org/10.1037/cpb0000094) - Zeigarnik B. On finished and unfinished tasks. In: Ellis WD, editor. A Source Book of Gestalt Psychology. London: Kegan Paul; 1938. p. 300-14. - Anderson BA. Habit formation as a dopamine-dependent process. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018;20:87-92. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.11.007](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.11.007) - Neal DT, Wood W. The pull of the past: Habit identity and self-continuity. J Pers Soc Psychol 2009;96:813-26. [https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013894](https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013894) - Stawarz K, Cox AL, Blandford J. How technology supports habit formation: A systematic review. Int J Hum-Comput Stud 2015;79:61-71. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2015.03.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2015.03.003) - Muraven M, Baumeister RF. Self-control as limited resource: Regulatory depletion patterns. J Pers Soc Psychol 1998;74:774-89. [https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.3.774](https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.3.774) - Milkman KL, Gromet D, Ho H, et al. Megastudies improve the impact of applied behavioural science. Nature 2021;600:478-83. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04128-4](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04128-4) --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/90-days-no-alcohol-what-actually-happened Canonical source: https://getaskesis.com/blog/90-days-no-alcohol-what-actually-happened Title: 90 Days No Alcohol | Mikita Shastak Language: English # 90 Days No Alcohol 90 Days No Alcohol. What Actually Happened (Askesis Founder) I used to think I didn’t have a problem with alcohol. A beer or two after work. Wine on weekends. The occasional whiskey when life felt heavy. Nothing crazy. Nothing that stopped me from functioning. But it was always there — a quiet hum in the background. Then, I decided to shut the hum off for 90 days. No lectures. No “alcohol is poison” preaching. Just a simple, time-bound Askesis: **No Alcohol. 90 days. One daily check-in.** Here’s what actually happened — day by day, week by week. ### Week 1–2: The Surprise Everyone expects the first week to be hell. It wasn’t. The surprise was how quickly my sleep changed. I’ve tracked sleep for years — it used to look like this: Fall asleep fast → wake up at 3 a.m. → stare at ceiling → back to sleep at 5 a.m. → wake up groggy. After 9 days without alcohol, the 3 a.m. wake-ups disappeared. Deep sleep went from ~45 minutes to 2 h 10 min on average. I woke up before my alarm and felt… awake. Not “caffeine-awake. Actually awake. ### Week 3–4: The Fog Lifted Around day 20 I noticed something stranger. My brain felt quiet. Not empty — quiet. The constant low-level static I had accepted as “normal adult life” was gone. Decisions that used to take 30 minutes took 3. I started finishing books again. I wrote more in one month than in the previous six. ### Week 5–8: Energy Became Predictable This was the biggest shock. My energy stopped swinging. No more “great day / crash day” cycle. Every single day was 7–8/10 energy. Not 10/10 manic, not 3/10 dead — just steady, usable, calm power. I moved my body every morning without negotiation. I stopped needing coffee after 2 p.m. I stopped needing alcohol to “relax” at night — because I wasn’t wired anymore. ### Week 9–12: The Identity Shift Somewhere around day 70 I caught myself in conversation: Someone offered me a drink and I said, without thinking: “No thanks, I don’t drink.” Not “I’m taking a break.” Not “I’m doing a challenge.” I don’t drink. That sentence came out of my mouth and I realised: The 90-day Askesis had quietly rewritten who I thought I was. ### The Numbers (because I know you want them) - Sleep score average: 68 → 92 - Deep sleep per night: 48 min → 2 h 11 min - Morning energy (1–10): 5 → 8 - Days I felt “sharp” all day: from 2–3 per month → 100% - Books finished: 1 in the 90 days before → 7 in the 90 days of the cycle ### The Truth 90 days sounded extreme when I started. It ended up feeling like the bare minimum. If you’re sitting there thinking “I don’t have a problem, but…” — that’s exactly where I was. One cycle. Clear start. Clear end. Real, permanent change. I built the app that made this possible for me. It’s called Askesis. You can start your own 90-day “No Alcohol” cycle — or any other — right now, for [free](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timed-challenges-askesis/id6755964020). No preaching. Just a quiet flame waiting for you. See you on day 1. — Mikita, the guy who built Askesis P.S. If you try it, [write me](https://discord.gg/ZRDpkjbC) on day 30 and tell me how your sleep changed. I read every single message. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/the-one-morning-habit-that-made-me-unrecognisable-in-30-days Canonical source: https://getaskesis.com/blog/the-one-morning-habit-that-made-me-unrecognisable-in-30-days Title: The One Morning Habit That Made Me Unrecognisable in 30 Days | Mikita Shastak Language: English # The One Morning Habit That Made Me Unrecognisable in 30 Days I didn’t set out to change my life. I just wanted to stop feeling like garbage every morning. For years my mornings looked like this: Alarm → snooze three times → scroll → caffeine → drag myself out of bed already behind. Then I made one single Askesis: **Move Every Morning. 30 days.** No fancy workout plan. No gym membership. Just one rule: move my body within 15 minutes of waking up. Walking, push-ups, stretching, dancing — anything counted. The only requirement was **every single morning**, no exceptions. Here’s what actually happened. ### Week 1: It Felt Stupid The first seven days were pure negotiation. My brain screamed: “You’re not a morning person.” I ignored it and did 10 push-ups on the bedroom floor. Or walked around the block in pyjamas. Or did air squats while the kettle boiled. Nothing heroic. But I never missed. ### Week 2: The Compound Effect Kicked In By day 10 something quiet happened. I stopped hitting snooze. Not because I suddenly loved 6 a.m. Because my body was already awake the moment my feet hit the floor — it knew movement was coming. Energy became predictable. No more 11 a.m. crash. No more “maybe tomorrow” feeling. ### Week 3: People Started Noticing Day 19. A friend I hadn’t seen in months said: “You look… different. Sharper.” I hadn’t lost weight yet. I hadn’t changed my diet. I had only moved my body for 10–20 minutes every morning without fail. But my posture was different. My eyes were different. My voice was different. ### Week 4: I Became Unrecognisable — to Myself By day 30 I caught my reflection and didn’t recognise the person looking back. Not because of muscles or abs. Because of the way I carried myself. Calm. Certain. Awake. The habit had quietly rewritten my identity. From “someone who wants to be disciplined someday” to “someone who simply does the thing, every morning, no discussion.” ### The Numbers (because I tracked everything) - Average wake-up time: 8:12 a.m. → 6:37 a.m. - Days I felt “ready” before coffee: 3/month → 30/30 - Morning mood (1–10): 4 → 8 - Times I said “I’m too tired” after work: 18/month → 0 ### The Secret It wasn’t the movement itself. It was the unbreakable rule: **Every morning. No negotiation. 30 days.** One clear cycle. One clear win every day. One new identity. If you’re tired of wishing you were a “morning person”… Stop wishing. Start a 30-day Askesis. I built the app that forces you to finish what you start. It’s called [Askesis](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timed-challenges-askesis/id6755964020). Pick “Move Every Morning” when you sign up — or create your own. I’ll be waiting on day 1. See you at sunrise. — Mikita, Askesis P.S. On day 30, [write me](https://discord.gg/ZRDpkjbC) and tell me who you see in the mirror. I read every message. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/blog/why-most-people-quit-their-habits-(and-the-7-90-day-trick-that-stops-it) Canonical source: https://getaskesis.com/blog/why-most-people-quit-their-habits-(and-the-7-90-day-trick-that-stops-it) Title: Why Most People Quit Their Habits (and the 7–90-Day Trick That Stops It) | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Why Most People Quit Their Habits (and the 7–90-Day Trick That Stops It) I used to be a professional quitter. New Year’s resolutions. 75 Hard. NoFap. Morning runs. Meditation streaks. I’d start strong, feel amazing for 9 days, then… quietly disappear by day 14. Every single time. Until I found the one variable that flipped the script. It wasn’t willpower. It wasn’t accountability partners. It wasn’t “finding your why.” It was a **clear end date**. ### The Hidden Reason 92% of Habits Die Traditional habit apps tell you: “Build habits that last forever.” “Never break the chain.” “Day 347 and counting…” That sounds inspiring… until day 11 when life hits. An open-ended streak is psychologically exhausting. Your brain treats it like an infinite debt. One missed day feels like bankruptcy. So you ghost the whole thing. This is backed by the **Zeigarnik effect**, discovered by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik in 1927. Her research showed that unfinished tasks linger in memory twice as long as completed ones, creating tension that motivates closure—but only if the task has a defined end. Without it, the tension builds until it's overwhelming, leading to avoidance. In habit studies, open-ended goals see completion rates under 10%, while bounded ones hit 60-70% (Nature, 2021) [1]. ### The 7–90-Day Trick Give the habit an **expiration date**. 7 days. 14 days. 21 days. 30 days. 90 days. Pick one. Write it down. Tell the app (or a friend, or a wall) when it ends. Suddenly the psychology reverses: - A missed day is no longer “I failed forever.” It’s “I have 29 days left to make this count.” - Every completed day feels like compound interest. - Day 30 (or 90) becomes a **finish line**, not a life sentence. I’ve now done this experiment on myself more than thirty times. Every open-ended habit I ever tried collapsed within weeks. Every single 7–90 day cycle I set — I finished. Thirty finished cycles. Zero broken “forever” streaks. ### Why It Works (The Science) - **Zeigarnik Effect** Your brain hates unfinished business [1]. A clear end date turns the habit into an open loop it craves to close. Bluma Zeigarnik's 1927 experiments showed interrupted tasks are recalled 90% better than completed ones, driving persistence—but only with a finish line. Without it, the loop never closes, and motivation fades. - **Endowed Progress Illusion** Seeing “Day 27 of 30” tricks your brain into feeling closer to victory. Joseph Nunes and Xavier Drèze's 2006 study on loyalty cards showed people complete tasks 80% faster with artificial "head starts" (e.g., 2/10 stamps pre-filled) [2]. Finite habits endow you with that illusion from the start—making the end feel inevitable. - **Identity Reinforcement** Finishing a bounded habit rewires self-belief. Carol Dweck's growth mindset research shows repeated small wins build "I am the kind of person who finishes" identity, boosting long-term adherence by 40% [3]. Open-ended goals reinforce "I am a starter who quits"—a fixed mindset trap. ### The Simplest System on Earth That’s how Askesis is built. One commitment. One duration (7–90 days). One daily check-in. One clear finish line. No forever streaks. No shame when life happens. Just proof—over and over—that you finish what you start. Most people quit because they aim at forever. The few who don’t quit aim at day 30. Try it once. Pick anything. Give it an end date. I built the app that makes finishing almost inevitable. It’s called [Askesis](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/timed-challenges-askesis/id6755964020). See you on day 1. — Mikita, Askesis ### References - Milkman KL, Gromet D, Ho H, et al. Megastudies improve the impact of applied behavioural science. *Nature* 2021;600:478-83. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04128-4](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04128-4) - Nunes JC, Drèze X. The endowed progress effect: how artificial advancement increases effort. *J Consum Res* 2006;32(4):504-12. [https://doi.org/10.1086/503999](https://doi.org/10.1086/503999) - Dweck CS. *Mindset: The new psychology of success*. New York: Random House; 2006. [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/297535/mindset-by-carol-s-dweck-phd/](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/297535/mindset-by-carol-s-dweck-phd/) --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/about Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/about Title: About Mikita Shastak — Startup Mentor and Product Builder Language: English # About Mikita Shastak Mikita Shastak is a startup founder mentor and product builder. He works with first-time and repeat founders, especially in mobile apps, and experts turning their skills into an online business. ## What Mikita helps with - Validating an idea and deciding what to build first. - Product strategy, onboarding, monetization and paywalls. - Finding a clearer execution plan for a new or existing business. His published profile describes experience in product, design and operations across EdTech, entertainment, and health and fitness. The full first-person biography is on the [home page](https://www.shastak.com/#about). ## Projects Askesis A tracker for time-limited challenges with deadlines and check-ins. [Askesis website](https://getaskesis.com/). HabitSet A habit tracker with a GitHub-style grid and widgets. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/streak-tracker-habitset/id6761116529). Ferve Guided audio games for couples with split-channel sound. [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ferve-spicy-games-for-couples/id1597618419). ## Work with Mikita Sessions take place by video call. Explore the [consultation and individual-support options](https://www.shastak.com/services), or [describe a custom request](https://www.shastak.com/custom). For current booking availability, use the linked service pages. ## Published writing Read the [article directory](https://www.shastak.com/articles) for founder experiments and Askesis material. Canonical links identify the main version of material also available on the product’s website. ## Source of this profile This summary is based on Mikita’s own [published biography](https://www.shastak.com/#about), [service information](https://www.shastak.com/#prices-1) and [project descriptions](https://www.shastak.com/#social). Experience and results on the home page are first-party statements, not independent verification. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/services Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/services Title: Startup Mentoring and Product Consulting | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Startup mentoring and product consulting Work with Mikita Shastak on idea validation, product direction, onboarding, monetization and execution. Sessions are remote by video call. ## 1:1 video consultation The home-page offer lists **$100 per hour**. The session focuses on the current situation, key blockers and a concrete three-step action plan. [See the consultation and booking page](https://www.shastak.com/lets-chat) ## Individual support The home-page offer lists **$1,000 per month** and describes eight video sessions in a personalized program. It includes exploring current strategies, planning execution and testing changes. The home page currently presents this option through a waitlist. [View individual-support availability](https://www.shastak.com/asaservice) ## Other requests - [Product-growth service availability](https://www.shastak.com/saas) - [Custom collaboration or consulting request](https://www.shastak.com/custom) ## Who this is for Primarily first-time and repeat startup founders, especially mobile app founders. Mikita also works with experts seeking to turn their experience into an online business. Technical skills are not required to discuss an idea. ## Before booking Prices above reproduce the current [published home-page offers](https://www.shastak.com/#prices-1). Availability and the final scope are confirmed on the linked booking pages or directly with Mikita. Check those pages for changes. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/articles Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/articles Title: Articles and Founder Experiments | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Articles and founder experiments Writing connected with Mikita’s product-building work and Askesis. The links below point to the canonical version of each piece. - [30-Day Challenges That Actually Work](https://getaskesis.com/blog/30-day-challenges-that-actually-work) Challenge ideas and a discussion of short, time-limited commitments, with research references from the Askesis blog. - [90 Days No Alcohol](https://getaskesis.com/blog/90-days-no-alcohol-what-actually-happened) Mikita’s first-person account of a 90-day no-alcohol challenge, including self-reported changes in sleep, energy and daily routines. - [From Zero to $10,000 MRR in 108 Days: My Solo Founder Experiment](https://www.shastak.com/blog/from-zero-to-10-000-mrr-in-108-days-my-solo-founder-experiment) An introduction to the creator’s 108-day solo-founder experiment: building Askesis, posting daily and working toward a monthly revenue goal. - [Why Most People Quit Their Habits (and the 7–90-Day Trick That Stops It)](https://getaskesis.com/blog/why-most-people-quit-their-habits-(and-the-7-90-day-trick-that-stops-it)) An Askesis essay on giving commitments a fixed finish line, with a 7–90-day challenge approach and research references. - [The One Morning Habit That Made Me Unrecognisable in 30 Days](https://getaskesis.com/blog/the-one-morning-habit-that-made-me-unrecognisable-in-30-days) A first-person account of a 30-day morning movement challenge and the author’s self-reported routine changes. - [How Askesis Works](https://getaskesis.com/blog/how-askesis-works-the-neuroscience-of-time-limited-discipline-that-rewires-your-brain) The Askesis blog’s explanation of time-limited commitments and habit-building concepts, with its research reference list. Five matching copies also remain available at their original shastak.com addresses. Their canonical source is the Askesis product site. The distinct founder-experiment version on shastak.com retains its own canonical URL. Personal experiments are first-person accounts, not independent studies. --- # Source page: https://www.shastak.com/for-agents Canonical source: https://www.shastak.com/for-agents Title: Public Content and Text Access | Mikita Shastak Language: English # Public content and text access Read Mikita Shastak’s profile, services, FAQ and writing as HTML, Markdown or JSON. Public reading needs no account, API key or JavaScript. ## Discovery - [Site guide: llms.txt](https://www.shastak.com/llms.txt) - [Combined reading export](https://www.shastak.com/llms-full.txt) - [JSON content catalog and section citation links](https://www.shastak.com/content/index.json) - [Original mentoring FAQ as JSON](https://www.shastak.com/content/faq.json) - [Read-only OpenAPI description](https://www.shastak.com/openapi.json) - [Article feed](https://www.shastak.com/feed.xml) - [Canonical HTML sitemap](https://www.shastak.com/sitemap.xml) ## Reading a page Append `.md` to a page path, such as [/about.md](https://www.shastak.com/about.md) or [/services.md](https://www.shastak.com/services.md). The home-page export is [/index.md](https://www.shastak.com/index.md). Each export identifies the fetched page and its canonical source. Five duplicated Askesis articles use their getaskesis.com canonical URL. ## Provenance Biography and service information are based on Mikita’s own published pages. They do not represent external validation of credentials or results. Article publication dates are included only where a canonical source supplies them; technical export generation does not establish an original publication date. ## Reading is separate from actions Documented public endpoints use GET or HEAD only. Contact forms and booking systems are intentional actions and may send a message or book an appointment. Use them only when a person explicitly requests it; normal validation and abuse limits apply. [Profile](https://www.shastak.com/about) · [Services](https://www.shastak.com/services) · [Contact and custom requests](https://www.shastak.com/custom)