Creating new habits isn’t easy. Here are six simple hints that will make it a little easier. Use them until you’ve internalized the new habit and don’t need them anymore.
#1: Schedule It And Put It On The To-Do List
Sometimes we forget to do that new thing we were trying. Maybe we forget that we’re supposed to be having eggs for breakfast instead of a stack of waffles, or that we need to get that daily walk in.
Schedule your new habits or make them part of your daily to-do list until they become something you do automatically.
#2: Make It Public and Be Accountable
Let family and friends know what new habits you’re trying to establish. They will call you out, if you don’t stick to your plan, and help get you back on track.
You may even go as far as sharing it publicly on Facebook or write a blog about your new journey. Knowing that others read it and know about it might be just enough to keep you going when you feel like throwing in the towel.
#3: Piggyback On A Habit You Already Have
Whenever possible, add the new habit to one you already have. For example, if you fix a cup of tea or coffee at 4 pm, and you want to get in the habit of taking a daily walk, make the new ritual to go for your walk and then come back and enjoy your tea.
It’s much easier to amend an existing habit or ritual than it is to create an entirely new one.
#4: Make Remembering Rewarding
Here’s a fun idea. Put a jar on the kitchen counter and, each time you remember to do your new habit, write a quick word of encouragement, an affirmation, or celebration on a piece of brightly colored paper and put it in the jar.
For example, if your new habit is taking a daily walk, you may write something like, “Yay! I knew you could do it! Great job!”
As the jar fills up with all those brightly colored papers, it will not only be a cheery measure of your progress, but also a reminder to keep at it. And, if you feel your motivation slipping, you can read all the kind, loving, encouraging notes you wrote to yourself.
And, when the jar gets full, make it extra rewarding by doing something special for yourself. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just meaningful to you — like having a manicure or pedicure, a nice bubble bath with your favorite music or a good book, lunch with a friend — anything that feels like a special treat.
#5: Find A Partner and Help Each Other Along
Find someone with the same or similar goal. This could be a workout partner or a diet buddy. Keep tabs on each other and encourage each other to keep going. It’s much harder to skip a walk if you know someone else is depending on you being there.
#6: Make It A Group Challenge
If one accountability partner is good, a whole group is even better. And they don’t even need to be local. Find a supportive group online and challenge each other to stick to your new habit for the next 30 days or so. Not wanting to be the first one to give up will keep all of you going until you establish that new habit.
Using tools like a schedule, rewards and accountability partners make it easier to build new habits. Click To Tweet
Give these simple little hints a try. Keep using the ones that you find helpful until you have made new habits you can stick with without the help of any tools or support.