Good habits can change your life over time. No matter your goal, whether that’s exercising more, eating better, reading more books, being more productive or even just getting more sleep, good habits are one of the fastest and surest routes to getting there.
One of the most common ways people fail is by using willpower alone. What separates a person who has made the habit vs someone that tried and gave up is the establishment of systems that encourage consistency and ease of participation for the desired behavior.
Inside the guide: The essential practical and proven tips to build habits that stick and unlearn behavior patterns that hold you back
1. Start Small
A major mistake I see many people make is that they attempt to alter everything at once. Try instead to start with just one habit that seems too insignificant to even seem like a habit at all.
For instance, rather than aiming to do a reading practice for a whole hour every single day, try reading only five minutes. This provides a sense of achievement and forward movement.
Examples of Small Habits
- Read one page every day.
- Walk for ten minutes.
- Drink one extra glass of water.
- Meditate for five minutes.
2. Be Consistent
What Matters Is Consistency (Not Effort) Doing something daily (for a little bit) will have a greater impact over time than doing something infrequently and with great effort.
Select a dedicated time during your day to rehearse your new habit. By doing this at the same time everyday, your brain will turn actions into automatic responses.
3. Set Clear Goals
Clear goals focus the mind and motivate action. Instead of stating “I want to be healthier,” set a specific and achievable goal like, “I will walk for 30 minutes, five times per week.”
Specific goals make it easier to measure progress and stay motivated.
4. Remove Obstacles
Facilitate good habits with environmental cues. Have workout gear accessible to exercise or stock your snack drawer with healthier treats if you want to start eating more fruit.
- Prepare in advance.
- Reduce distractions.
- Keep helpful tools nearby.
- Create an environment that supports success.
5. Track Your Progress
Keeping track of how far you’ve come helps you to stay motivated and committed to your new habits. The sense of progress, however minor, can encourage you to push forward.
Keep track of your daily efforts on a piece of paper, in your calendar, or through a mobile application, habit tracking software or app. The name of the game is regularity and not precision.
Easy Ways to Track Habits
- Mark completed days on a calendar.
- Use a habit-tracking app.
- Keep a daily journal.
- Celebrate small milestones.
6. Reward Yourself
Rewards are also essential to solidifying a habit. The act of being able to experience a pleasure once a habit is finished acts as a positive incentive and is really just a reward. The reward can be something as cheap as a relaxing walk, an episode of your favorite tv shows, or your favorite book.
Make positive associations: reward healthy behaviors and you will have an easier time sticking with your routine.
7. Learn from Setbacks
We all miss a day here and there, you know? One miss doesn’t indicate that you have failed at your goal. What matters is that you get back on track quickly and don’t throw in the towel just yet.
Use disruptions as a chance to learn. Figure out what disrupted you and change your plan so you don’t run into the same snag again.
How to Recover Quickly
- Don’t blame yourself.
- Restart the next day.
- Focus on long-term consistency.
- Review what caused the setback.
8. Stay Patient
Creating habits is a long process. Habits become automatic at different paces, sometimes taking only a few weeks to master, other times months.
Remember to be kind to yourself, and the journey, since sometimes sustainable development is what matters more than speedy gains. But keep taking these tiny steps, every one brings you nearer to success!
9. Build One Habit at a Time
When you attempt to cultivate multiple habits concurrently, you may quickly find it unmanageable. Rather, try to concentrate on habituating a single habit prior to undertaking a new one. This approach maximizes your likelihood of sticking with new habits in the long run.
Once the initial habit becomes a routine, then add a second one slowly, but steadily. “Even a small change added every day adds up dramatically,” says Daryon: “I’ve become much more patient over the past three weeks.”
10. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
In order to stay healthy, it is important to realize the powerful impact your environment and the people who surround you has on the way you act. Being with individuals that support your positive activities and healthy life-style can increase your drive and dedication towards your objectives.
Engage in community groups or accountability circles or team up with some like-minded buddies! Being accountable to positive support systems can make all the difference when things get difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a habit?
There is no set amount of time. It can take weeks to several months depending on the habit and person. Faster doesn’t mean better. It just means faster.
What should I do if I miss a day?
Don’t let a single day set you back. Skipping one day isn’t the end of the world. Just pick it back up the next day and don’t skip two days in a row if you can help it.
Why do people fail to build good habits?
Many people get ahead of themselves at the start, rely on motivation alone, or expect an instant win. When you start with smaller wins, and are consistent with those smaller wins you tend to go far.
Can habit tracking improve consistency?
Yep. The visualization that comes with habit tracking gives you the visual motivation and the level of accountability needed. Not to mention it shows you the patterns in your behavior and helps you celebrate milestones along the way!
Conclusion
Establishing the right habits is a powerful vehicle to take your life to the next level – your health, finances, productivity, and more. Greatness isn’t a result of a one-time change. Greatness is the result of consistently taking small steps.
Pick the one thing that is going to have the most impact and start right now. Have patience, be consistent, and be present. It takes time, one action at a time. Future you is going to be SO thankful.
Key Takeaways
- Start with small, achievable habits.
- Stay consistent instead of chasing perfection.
- Track your progress regularly.
- Reward yourself for small wins.
- Learn from setbacks instead of quitting.
- Focus on one habit at a time.
- Build a supportive environment.
- Be patient and trust the process.
