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Every time I think about creating a new habit, it feels like a fresh start. It’s like there is promise of a better self.
But then of course, life happens, and the best made plans are laid to rest. The motivation of a new habit, becomes a distant memory.
Not too long ago I read the NYT bestselling book The Power of Habit, and it has been a game changer in becoming more aware about my own habits.
The process to create a new habit requires hard work and discipline. Often I try to do too much, too soon, and then get overwhelmed. Thankfully, I’ve developed personal systems to help me feel less overwhelmed.
For me, taking the emotion out of creating new habits, and following through with my plans was a key learning from the book. I became more aware about why I was sporadic with sticking to new habits!
It wasn’t that I didn’t have enough self-discipline. I was just not setting myself up for success in creating and maintaining these habits. Sometimes, the new habits I wanted to create were too idealistic, and not practical enough to actually stick, or fit into my life.
In the last little while, I’ve tried to focus on creating daily/weekly routines that actually make my life better. I’ve learned about what works for me when trying to create and maintain new habits. Here are the best tips to make sure you actually create and stick with the right habits!
#1: Start with your why
For every habit you actually want to start, know your purpose. It’s easy to contemplate habits like meditation or drinking more water, because every self-care post is tell you to do so.
But until you actually attach a personal benefit, or an idea as to how it will make you personally grow or feel better, you aren’t going to stick with it!
When your motivation dwindles, repeating to yourself what your habit’s purpose will help you increase the chances that will stick to your habit. You will be able to remind yourself every time you feel like falling off your wagon!
For me, I knew I needed to drink more water. But hearing over and over that its good for you to drink water wasn’t enough. I started to think about how usually when drinking more water, my skin looks better naturally, and I eat less junk food. Finding my why was a great motivator to drink more water!
#2: Start small
I’m all for making new years resolutions, birthday goals.
Goal planning, and vision boarding are my kryptonite.
But a lot of times, these ideas and habits do not stick because I’m trying to do too much at once. I often have this unrealistic expectation of myself that I will all of a sudden be this ideal person that I aspire to be. Starting 10 new habits all together is probably unrealistic. That is a drastic change in your lifestyle.
It’s better to create smaller habits. Once you’re able to stick to one habit, start something new. Progress takes time. Building on new habits gradually will likely help you succeed more than starting too many things all at once!
#3: Habit stacking
I have also found some success with the idea of habit stacking. Habit stacking is the idea of connecting new habits to old, established habits.
For example, I complete my 5 minute journal, every morning, while I wait for my coffee to brew. I am a coffee addict, and can count on brewing coffee every morning. Instead of mindlessly scrolling Instagram, I have now trained myself to take a few minutes while my coffee is brewing to complete my gratitude journal.
#4: Don’t use an all or nothing strategy
It’s not about changing overnight. Creating new habits to improve your life takes time! But don’t give up once you break your streak. Just take a day off, and start again tomorrow.
If you’re not able to do a full workout as planned, maybe do a 20 minute workout instead, or get on your mat and stretch for 10 minutes. The idea is to get yourself to treat the habit like a ritual – since getting dressed for the workout is a precursor to the actual workout.
#5: Be Realistic
Try to create smaller changes. It’s difficult for drastic changes to create sustainable habits. You might be super excited the first few days to get into new habits. But often as the days pass, maybe you don’t have the same energy to stick to the habit, or you might get sucked into other priorities. Those are the days that are the true test of your new habits!
#6: Cut yourself some slack
It takes time to create new habits. Some studies say takes 21 days to create new habits.
Life often gets thrown at you! You might be doing really well on your new habits, until a new deadline is thrown at you! It’s easy to get side tracked. But don’t just stop. Try again the next day!
As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, I am always so hard on myself when I am not able to stick to a new habit. But I try to remind myself that I have made some progress. I need to just get back on track and try again!
#7: Stay accountable
Whether you are motivated by creating a habit tracker in your bullet journal, adding it to your to-do list, creating a meeting on your calendar or having an accountability buddy. Find a way to track your habits that motivates you! It could even just by a post-in note by your laptop. Whatever helps to remind you to create and stick to your new habits. Before long, they will become second nature to you!
For me personally, I schedule things in my calendar, and also use a habit tracker in my bullet journal to stay motivated! There’s something so satisfying about crossing off another day on my calendar with pen and paper.
#8: Celebrate small wins
Creating rewards help celebrate progress. It’s important to stay motivated to create habits with rewards. Maybe buy that lipstick you’ve added to your Sephora cart, or treat yourself to some ice cream this weekend! Whatever helps you keep going!
I often reward myself with a nice face mask if I’ve achieved my goal to work out three days a week!
Your Turn:
How do you stay motivated when creating new habits and routines?
Let me know in the comments below or connect with me on Twitter or Instagram!
Cheers,
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[…] been using this time to get into more of a routine. This week, on the blog, I wrote about how to create habits that actually stick, partly because those are the habits that actually make my life […]