How to Build Habits That Stick

Habits make up 40% of our daily routines, according to studies. They are actions done without conscious thought on a daily basis, like functioning on auto-pilot. Habits impact one's life, whether one is aware of it or not. Your actions can have positive or negative effects on your life. Replacing old habits with new ones is possible. Success requires time, patience, and effort. Think about the habits you want to adopt and why.

The following article contains advice on establishing and sustaining new routines.

Start with one important habit, then gradually develop more. Begin with once or twice a week, and build up to daily. Pick two non-negotiable habits to do each day, and do anything more weekly or bi-weekly. Don't overwhelm yourself with doing everything every day. Use the "five second rule" to physically act on your habit without thinking within 5 seconds.

To avoid making excuses, start your habit without thinking too much. Act within five seconds. Make your habit easy by setting up "might as well" conditions. For example, keep a water bottle at your desk to drink more water. Carry a book in your bag for downtime reading. Leave a book on your nightstand for bedtime reading. Make your habit convenient and remove obstacles for success.

Using a habit tracker can be helpful for those who are visual or prefer tracking their habits on paper.

You can track your habits on a calendar by crossing off the dates. Another option is to use the Artist of Life Workbook, which includes a habit tracker for the month. The habit tracker allows you to write down more habits than you want to do daily. This helps you track more habits.

Focus on crossing off the most important tasks and getting them done in your day. Other tasks can be done if there is time, but it's not necessary. Consistency is key before scaling up how frequently you do your habits. Start with once or twice a week and then increase gradually. If daily is too much, have less requirements for yourself. To stay motivated and consistent, remind yourself why you started the habit and its importance in your life. Keep the reason in mind to stay motivated.

To adjust your habits, start with trial and error. Ask yourself what's working and not working, and how you can make the habit fit into your lifestyle. Be flexible and don't be too hard on yourself if you're not consistent. It's okay. Find an accountability buddy or announce your commitment on social media to stay motivated. Your lifestyle is up to you.

Sharing your commitment to building a new habit can increase accountability. Acknowledging your desire to others can create a sense of obligation, motivating you to follow through. Additionally, identifying as someone who engages in the habit can be beneficial.

The concept of manifestation involves starting with a positive mindset. A common practice is to begin the day by putting on workout clothes.

To motivate myself to work out daily, I put on my workout pants. I tell myself that I am the type of person who works out daily. This positive self-talk helps me shift my mindset. Instead of saying, "I'm trying to run a mile every morning," I say, "I'm the type of person who runs a mile every morning." This helps me feel like a workout type of person, even if I don't actually work out. The key is to step into the mindset first, and then the behavior will follow more easily. For me, this means taking the first step of putting on workout clothes.

It is common to experience periods of fatigue, laziness, and lack of motivation, where one may question their actions and ask, "Why?"

Falling off and feeling disappointed is normal. The key is to keep trying. Failure only happens when you stop trying. If you have a setback, pick yourself back up and try again. By doing so, you can change your trajectory and move forward in a positive way.

Reflect on why you fell off from your habit. Were you too hard on yourself or had unrealistic expectations? Identify any obstacles or blocks. Reassess how you can make the habit work realistically and better. Life is about reflection and learning what works. Be gentle with yourself as building habits takes time and patience. You might fall off, but it's okay as long as you pick yourself up and keep trying. Good luck building new habits for your new lifestyle.

If you're new to this channel, consider subscribing and sharing your main habit for the month in the comments. Start by working on it once a week and gradually increase to twice or three times a week. My non-negotiable habit is daily journaling for idea clarification and direction. Even a page or half a page is progress. Remember to practice self-love by rewarding yourself after reaching certain milestones. Celebrating accomplishments can motivate you to continue. Rewards can include treats or spa days.