Building Good Habits: 7 Simple Steps to Change Your Life
The struggle is real: You want to build good habits in your life, but for some reason, you just can’t seem to make it happen. You know you should be exercising more, eating better, spending less time on your phone… But somehow you just can’t seem to stick to it.
The good news is that you’re not alone! We’ve all been there. The bad news is that unless you make a change, nothing is going to happen.
If you’re stuck in a rut and can’t seem to move forward, don’t despair. There is hope!
Use the tips in this article to start building good habits that will help you make the changes you want to see in your life. You can do it!
Why is it important to create good habits?
Productivity isn’t just about getting things done – it’s about getting the right things done. And that’s where good habits come in. Developing good habits can help you handle the tasks that are most important to you and your goals.
Think about it – if you want to achieve something, you’re much more likely to achieve it if you have a plan and you’re taking consistent action toward your goal. That’s where habits come in.
Habits can help you automate your actions so that you’re making continual, daily steps toward the things you value most. And the best part is, once you develop a habit, it becomes second nature. You don’t have to think about it or remind yourself to do it – it just becomes part of your daily routine! This frees up your energy and your mental bandwidth to focus on other things. Huge win for building good habits!
Remember, developing productive habits is worth the effort:
- Good habits help you focus on the tasks that are most important to you.
- They automate your actions so that you’re taking consistent, daily steps toward your goal.
- And they free up your mental bandwidth to focus on other things.
Finding the time for building good habits
If you’re like most people, you probably have a lot of things on your to-do list. And if you’re like most people, you probably never seem to have enough time to get everything done. But what if you could find the time to create smart habits that would help you get more done in less time?
What if you could find the time to create smart habits that would help you get more done in less time?
ToughBaby
The key is to start small. Rather than trying to overhaul your entire schedule, start by adding one or two new habits to your daily routine. For example, you could start each day with a 15-minute planning session, where you map out what you need to do that day. Or you could spend the last 15 minutes of each day reviewing what you accomplished and setting goals for the next day.
By slowly adding new habits to your routine, you can gradually transform your schedule into one that is more productive and efficient. And you can avoid the burn-out associated with over-scheduling and the stress of too many commitments.
Build times throughout the day or week for your new habits. Bear in mind, it’s better to block off a smaller amount of time while getting it done, rather than too long a period that may get interrupted.
Always schedule yourself first. If it needs doing, find time for it every day. When you’re consistent, you teach yourself and others that your time is valuable and so are your goals.
Transformation doesn’t happen in a day. Look for baby steps. They really do equal giant leaps over time.
What are some tips for creating better habits?
1) Find what works for you
Not all productivity hacks are created equal. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find what works for you and your specific goals. There are a ton of different resources out there to help you get started.
If you’re not sure where to start, try Googling “productivity hacks” or “ways to increase productivity.” You’ll find loads of different articles and tips that you can try out.
2) Good habits start with a positive mindset
It’s no secret that starting your day with a positive mindset can make a world of difference in your productivity and overall happiness. But what exactly does that look like?
For starters, try to avoid hitting the snooze button. Instead, get up and start your day as soon as possible. Once you’re up, stretch your body and do some deep breathing exercises to get the blood flowing. Then, take a few moments to set your intention for the day ahead. What do you hope to accomplish? How do you want to feel?
From there, make a healthy breakfast, put on some upbeat music, and get started on your day. By taking these simple steps, you’ll be putting yourself in a much better position to have a great day.
3) Set realistic goals for good habits
One of the best ways to develop a new habit is to set a goal for yourself. This will give you something to focus on and work towards. When setting a goal, make sure it’s specific, achievable, and realistic. For example, a goal like “I want to be more productive” is too vague. How can you measure that? A goal like “I want to check my email only once a day” is specific, achievable, and realistic. You’ll know whether you’ve hit it or not!
No matter what your goals are, remember to be realistic and patient. It takes time and effort to achieve anything worthwhile, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t reach your goal overnight. Stay focused and dedicated, and you’ll eventually get there.
4) Make a plan
Once you have your goal in mind, it’s time to make a plan. This will help you figure out the steps you need to take to reach your goal. Again, be specific, achievable, and realistic when making your plan. And don’t try to do too much at once. Remember, you’re trying to develop a new habit, not completely overhaul your life.
Set a schedule for your habit. Decide when and how often you will do it. For example, if your goal is to exercise three times a week, pick three days of the week and decide what time you will exercise on those days. Then, put it in your calendar and set reminders.
5) Take things one step at a time
Habits are formed by repeating a behavior over time. So don’t try to do too much too soon. Start small and focus on building your new habit first. You are literally creating new pathways in your brain, so have patience with this important work!
Once the habit is ingrained, you can start slowly increasing the frequency or intensity. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, and it will make it more likely that you will stick with your new habit. For example, if you want to start running, start by walking for a few minutes a day. Then, gradually start to run for a few minutes. Once you’re used to that, you can start increasing your running time.
6) Get a support system
Find someone who has a similar goal and work together to develop your new habit. This can help you stay motivated and on track. You can also join a group or class to help you develop your new habit. There’s nothing like encouragement or a little friendly competition from a tribe who “gets you!”
7) Celebrate the success of your new good habits
It’s official – you’ve created a positive new habit! Congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment. Not only have you taken the first step to becoming more productive, but you’ve also stuck with it and made it part of your life.
Now it’s time to celebrate your success! Make sure to pat yourself on the back and take a few moments to enjoy your accomplishment. Then, once you’re feeling good about things, take a look at ways you can keep up the momentum and keep your new habit going strong. Once your new habit has truly become an automated part of you, it’s time to focus on building your next new habit!
A few helpful tips for sticking to your new habits
Include your good habits your daily routine
One of the best ways to make sure you stick to your new habit is to make it part of your daily routine. If you can find a way to do your new habit at the same time every day, it will become second nature to you and you’ll be less likely to forget or skip it.
Also, make sure you do your new habit at a time when you know you’ll be able to stick to it. For example, if you’re trying to form a habit of working out every day, don’t try to do it first thing in the morning if you know you won’t be able to get out of bed. Find a time that works for you and stick to it.
Be mindful of the company you keep
The people you spend time with have a big impact on your behavior. Social pressure is huge, whether you’re a young teen or a mature senior. So it’s important to be mindful of the company you keep when you’re trying to form a new habit. If you’re trying to quit smoking, for example, you might want to avoid hanging out with smokers – at least for a little while. Or, if you’re trying to eat healthier, you might want to eat with friends who also have healthy eating habits.
Make time for yourself
It’s important to set aside time for yourself when you’re trying to form a new, productive habit. This time can be used to relax and destress. Remove any triggers that might cause you to relapse into your old, destructive habit. Creating a new habit is tough, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.
To wrap things up
Building good habits is a great way to focus on the tasks that are most important to you and your goals. The key is to find what works for you and to start small. Remember, it takes time to form a new habit, so be patient and be sure to celebrate your successes along the way.
