Habits make up a surprising number of our actions – up to 40%. Because of this, it’s very important to have habits that are productive and will push you forward in your life. However, it can be incredibly difficult to create habits that actually stick. If you’re struggling with building useful habits, then try out some of these tips!
- Start small
- Set goals and plan it out
- Make it obvious
- Add appeal
- Reward yourself
Start small
When you want to start a new habit, make sure it’s not too difficult. By making your new habit easy, you ensure that you’ll be able to repeat it every day. Try to decrease the resistance you feel towards it as much as possible, and build it up later. If your goal is to read for 30 minutes every day, then start with 5 minutes and slowly increase the time you spend reading.
Set goals and plan it out
Setting goals is incredibly important, since it’s linked to higher achievement. Decide on a habit that you think will benefit you, and plan out when you do it. Try habit stacking – this is when you do a new habit after you’ve finished an established habit. For example, if you already have a habit of eating breakfast everyday, then plan to read after eating breakfast. This adds structure and makes you more likely to stick to your habit.
Make it obvious
“I forgot” is one of the most popular excuses of all time. To create a new habit, you have to actually remember to do it. One thing you could do is set reminders on your phone for when you want to do your habit. You could also use part of the habit itself as a reminder, like placing a book on your bedside table so you’ll remember to read before going to sleep.
Add appeal
In order to build a new habit, you have to make it seem fun. Try to gamify the process in order to make it something you crave. For example, if you want to learn a new language, then you can use a fun learning app like duolingo. Conversely, if your desired habit is going to the gym or going for a run, then try going with a friend to make the process seem more fun!
Reward yourself
Rewarding yourself is one of the most important things you can do while building a habit, especially if the habit itself isn’t very fun. Use a habit tracker to measure your progress towards your goal, and reward yourself for the milestones you reach! This will incentivise you to work further towards building your habit.
