Creating new habits isn’t always easy, so if you need some simple and motivating tips to get moving, you're in the right place!
With these six straightforward habit-forming hacks, you will be on the best path forward. Use these tips each day until you've internalized the new habit and have turned it in to a daily routine for the long run.
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1. Formally Schedule A Habit Into Your Day
As a busy mom, sometimes I am lucky to be awake enough to remember that making coffee in the morning is a good idea. We are all plenty busy already. We also already have many routines we mindlessly fall into each day.
Often, this means the first few days of trying to add a new habit can be completely forgotten altogether. By the time you are already covering your waffle in syrup, you remember you committed to starting a low-carb diet and were supposed to scramble some eggs. So of course, quickly that all-too-common response pops up… “I'll start tomorrow.”
Instead of going around in circles, formally schedule your new task into your day. Make your habit an item on the top of your prioritized to-do list. Even better, schedule the task right onto your agenda planner for a specific time of day. Keep this up until the task becomes a habit and becomes second nature.
2. Publicize Your Habit
Sometimes we internalize excuses and stall starting a new habit
Let family and friends know what new habits you’re trying to establish. They will call you out if you don’t stick to your plan and get you back on track.
You may even go as far as sharing it publicly on Facebook or write a blog about your new journey. Knowing that others read it and know about it might be just enough to keep you going when you feel like throwing in the towel.
3. Piggyback On A Habit You Already Have
Whenever possible, add the new habit to one you have already established.
For example, let's say you already usually take a snack break at 3:00pm for a pick-me-up in the afternoon. If there is a new habit you are trying to establish, try to tack it on. Wanting to start taking daily walks? Make a point to take a short walk before you have the snack. It will act like a little treat for finishing your new habit. Soon enough, you will probably even realize the walk helps reenergize you in the afternoon, too!
It is much easier to amend an existing habit or ritual than to create an entirely new one.
4. Make Slipups Costly
Here’s a fun idea.
Put a jar on the kitchen counter. Each time you slip back into your bad habit or forget to stick to the new one, put five dollars in the jar.
It will quickly help you remember to skip that sugary food and motivate you to go out for your walk.
For extra motivation, donate the money to charity at the end of the month or hand it over to your spouse to go spend on him or herself.
5. Find A Habit-Supporting Accountability Partner
Find someone with the same or similar goal. If your new habit involves working out or diet planning, there are always people trying to get into the same mindset. Partner up to help keep one another accountable.
Keep tabs on each other and encourage each other to keep going. It’s much harder to skip a walk if you know someone else is depending on you to be there. Plus, it becomes more fun and by looking forward to it, you don't need as much willpower to stick to your habit.
6. Make A Group Habit Challenge
If one accountability partner is good, a whole group is even better!
A group challenge can be great for friends and family who are not local, too. Find a supportive group online and challenge each other to stick to your new habit for the next 30 days or so. Not wanting to be the first one to give up will keep all of you going until you establish that new habit.
Give these simple little hacks a try. Keep using the ones that you find helpful until you have made new habits you can stick with without the help of any tools or support.
What are your favorite tips and tricks for establishing a new habit? Share your best tips in the comments!
