How to Make New Habits Stick
APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | PANDORA
Welcome to the third episode of our podcast, where we delve into the art of making new habits stick. If you're anything like me, a perpetual go-getter, you're always seeking ways to enhance, evolve, and transform. The pursuit of self-improvement is a part of our innate nature, a force that drives us even when we're not conscious of it. We constantly strive to better ourselves, often without even realizing it.
Yet, the road to establishing new habits can be a frustrating one. When these habits don't seem to adhere, it can bruise our confidence, dent our self-worth, and plunge us into negativity. I've stood in your shoes, grappling with countless attempts to weave new habits into my life. I've learned that it's not a simple task, and not every habit will take root. And that's okay. Remember, the failure of a habit doesn't equate to your personal failure. Sometimes, a habit isn't meant to be.
In this episode, I want to emphasize that finding the right approach for you is key. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, no magical formula that guarantees success. You have to adapt advice to suit your unique circumstances and aspirations. I aim to guide you through this journey of personal development, urging you to tweak and personalize each piece of advice you encounter to suit your individual path.
The Power of Personalization
Every expert opinion, every course, every self-help video, they all offer a perspective, a way of doing things that has worked for them or others. However, it's not a one-size fits all approach. It's crucial to grasp that what works for one may not work for another. Just like I'm working on a course that highlights this very concept, the power of personalization, I urge you to embrace this principle in all areas of your life.
You should take the insights you gather and reshape them to fit your life. Don't just follow step by step; make it your own. Maybe only one out of five tips resonates with you, and that's okay. Think critically, analyze your own routines and inclinations, and mold the advice you receive to align with your goals and dreams.
The Process of Habit Building
Through years of experimentation, I've developed a method that has proven to make habits stick more consistently and for longer periods. But remember, I'm far from perfect; not every habit I attempt becomes second nature. So, if you're expecting perfection from yourself, abandon that notion right now. Imperfection is part of the journey, and each falter is a lesson in disguise.
1. STARTING SMALL: THE POWER OF INCREMENTAL CHANGE
The first step in this process is to start small. Don't set grandiose goals that overwhelm you from the outset. Aspirations like exercising one hour every day might sound appealing, but the shift is too drastic. Your chances of success dwindle when you set the bar impossibly high. Instead, focus on minute tasks that require minimal effort.
Even if it sounds trivial, these small steps are the foundation of real change. If fitness is your goal, it could be as simple as doing five squats while brushing your teeth or performing a quick set of push-ups when walking through a doorframe. The key is to establish the habit of taking action, regardless of how insignificant it seems.
2. TYING HABITS TOGETHER: THE POWER OF TRIGGERS
Consider linking your new habit to an existing one. This linkage creates a trigger in your mind. Let's say you're working on fitness and want to incorporate squats into your daily routine. Tying them to brushing your teeth or passing through a doorframe can act as prompts for the new habit. Your brain then associates these triggers with the action you want to adopt, making it easier to integrate into your daily routine.
3. THE CONSISTENCY CONUNDRUM
Consistency is the lifeblood of habit formation. Beginning with daily consistency is often easier than sporadic attempts. Even if it's just five minutes a day, the key is to instill the practice into your daily life. By incorporating it into your routine, it becomes second nature, eliminating the need for active thought or motivation.
4. K.I.S.S. PRINCIPLE: KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID
Remember the K.I.S.S. principle - Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don't overcomplicate your approach. As you build your habit, avoid introducing too many changes simultaneously. It's tempting to take on multiple habits all at once, but this often leads to failure due to overwhelm. Instead, focus on one habit until it becomes second nature before adding another layer of complexity.
A Journey to Self-Improvement
Now that we've explored strategies to make new habits stick. Remember, the journey to self-improvement is unique for each of us. It's about adapting the advice you receive, tailoring it to your life, and incorporating small, consistent changes. Don't rush the process; patience and persistence are your allies. It's not about attaining perfection; it's about progress, no matter how small.
So, embrace imperfection, start small, utilize triggers, maintain consistency, and keep it simple. These strategies can pave the way for a successful habit-building journey. Remember, it's not about revolutionizing your life overnight; it's about the tiny steps that eventually lead to significant transformation. Allow your journey to be a personalized adventure, one that molds itself to your uniqueness.
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