The start of a new year is always a time when people think about changing some of their old habits and starting to put some new ones in place that work better for them.
This is often much easier said than done, but we've got a few pointers below to get you on the right track to create new habits and, most importantly, to stick to them.
- Link your new habit with one that you already have and make time in the day for it.
Everyone has habitual things that they do each day for one reason or another, so a great way to add a new one is to piggyback it with another one you have already and want to keep. This way, it becomes an extension of a good habit, rather than something you have to create and do from scratch.
- Work out your “why” and link it in with a larger goal that you want to achieve.
A really great way to bring in a new habit (or take out an old one) is to understand why you want to make that change. Perhaps it's that you want to get fit so you can run the New York marathon or that you want to lose some weight to fit into that favourite outfit. When you have a strong understanding of your "why", it's far easier to stay motivated because you know you're doing it to achieve a specific greater goal, and you have the vision for what you want to achieve from it.
- Bring in one new habit at a time and forgive yourself if you’re not perfect at maintaining it every single day.
Sometimes, we can be hard on ourselves when we're trying to change our old ways and occasionally miss a day or fall a little short of the mark. Breaking a bad habit is no easy feat, so aiming for one new (good) habit at a time gives you the best chance of success. The thing about a new habit is once it becomes a habit, by its very nature, it's something we do regularly, and if we miss a day, all is not lost.
Just give yourself the benefit of the doubt and pick it up again as soon as you can. After all, you're doing this for your "why", and if your "why" is strong enough, then so will be your motivation to get back on the horse!
Habits are repetitions of things we do when we want to achieve an outcome for ourselves. We can achieve great things or small things that add to our lives' quality and quantity, but it's essential to start with implementing one new habit at a time. The best way to create the new habit and stick to it begins with knowing why you want to make a change in the first place.
A solid reason to change a habit will bring the motivation you need to see it through.