From a routine to a habit
Are you tired of feeling stuck in your old routines and wanting to make a positive change in your life?
Both habits and routines are regular and repeated actions, but habits happen with little or no conscious thought, whereas routines require a higher degree of intention and effort.
You might have an evening routine where you brush your teeth and wash your face. Out of habit you keep your toothbrush always on the left side of the facet. You might notice your habits when you travel. You still place your toothbrush in the same place out of habit.
With enough time and the right techniques, routines can turn into habits, but it is not an automatic or unconscious process but needs intention.
A behavior has to be a regularly performed routine before it can become a habit at all. The problem is that many of us try to skip the “routine” phase, just because routines tend to be tedious repetition.
Hoping we could just jump into the habit phase where, without even thinking about it we would start our day with some stretching or replace bedtime doom scrolling with a book.
How to Implement a New Habit
Implementing new habits can be a transformative journey that leads to personal growth and success. Whether you're aiming to improve your health, increase productivity, or enhance your overall well-being, this blog post will guide you through the process of successfully adopting new habits.
1. Identify the goal
The first step in implementing new habits is to clearly define your goal. Ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? Be specific and realistic in setting your objectives. For example, instead of saying, "I want to get in shape," try setting a goal like, "I want to exercise for 30 minutes every day for the next month."
2. Start small
Change can be overwhelming, especially if you try to tackle everything at once. Instead, start with small, manageable steps. Break down your larger goal into smaller, more achievable tasks. This incremental approach will allow you to build momentum and increase the likelihood of long-term success.
3. Create a routine
Consistency is key when implementing new habits. Developing a routine helps to reinforce the behavior you want to adopt. Set a specific time and place for your new habit. For example, if you want to start reading more, designate a certain time each day for reading, such as before bed or during your lunch break or try habit stacking where you tie the new habit to an old habit.
For example:
You want to start eating more vegetables. -Have your favorite veggie all prepped ready to eat in the fridge and fill you plate with it every time you eat.
You want to start exercising in the mornings. - Start with 10min setups in the living room before your morning coffee. You can look up a Youtube video or make it up as you go along. Build your stamina and overtime you can increase the length or difficulty of your workouts if you want.
4. Use reminders and triggers
In the beginning, it can be easy to forget or overlook your new habit. To combat this, utilize reminders or triggers that prompt you to take action. This could be setting a daily alarm on your phone or placing a sticky note on your bathroom mirror. Gradually, these reminders will become ingrained in your routine and serve as cues to perform your new habit.
5. Track your progress
Monitoring your progress is essential for maintaining motivation. Use a journal or habit-tracking app to record your daily efforts. Seeing your progress, even small steps, can be incredibly motivating and provide a sense of accomplishment. Celebrate your successes, learn from setbacks, and adjust your approach as necessary.
6. Find accountability
Having someone to hold you accountable can greatly increase your chances of success. Find an accountability partner, whether it's a friend, family member, or colleague, who shares a similar goal or is supportive of your endeavors. Regular check-ins and discussions about your progress can provide encouragement and help you stay on track.
7. Be patient and flexible
Implementing new habits takes time and effort. It's important to be patient with yourself and understand that change doesn't happen overnight. Allow room for flexibility and adaptability. If a particular habit isn't working for you, don't be afraid to modify or replace it with something more suitable.
