6 Steps to Build Habits That Stick

Changing your ways is not an easy task. In fact, it can be downright hard to build good habits, especially when we are struggling to break the bad ones. If you’re ready to make a change and bring some better habits into your life, keep these six tips in mind to ensure success…

1. Break Down the Big Picture

Do you have a big goal you want to accomplish? Well, those big goals can often feel pretty daunting and leave us with no clue where to start. And if you don’t know where to start, you usually never begin. Instead of thinking just about the bigger picture, figure out what smaller steps you can take to achieve that big goal of yours. It will seem much less scary with small, actionable steps.

Say for example that you want to lose some weight. Set a bigger goal for yourself (maybe you want to lose 60 pounds in one year) and then break that down into a small goal like losing five pounds per month. This will help get you into the habit of working out and eating right, while giving you something to work toward every month. If you have something to work toward every month, you’ll also be able to stay on track and assess your goals as the year goes on. And you will be less likely to greet the year’s end without having achieved your goal.

2. Create If/Then Scenarios

The if/then scenario will help to link a regular part of your schedule to the new habit you’re trying to form. So, instead of saying that you won’t eat anymore junk food at night, change your way of thinking! Tell yourself that if you watch TV at night (something you’re likely to do), then you will eat a cup of plain yogurt with some fresh fruit (the new habit you’re trying to acquire).

It may seem silly, but just give it a try and see how it works out for you! This could be applied to many different areas of your life. You just have to tie the new habit into something that is already part of your daily routine. This method has even been proven to be successful by multiple studies.

3. Identify Why You Want to Change

Why are you trying to change? Why do you want to kick this bad habit and start a new, better habit? Knowing exactly why you are striving to make a change will help keep you motivated. And when you’re motivated? You’re more likely to accomplish something!

Sticking with our example of losing weight… Why do you want to drop a few pounds? Is it so you’ll be healthier? Remind yourself of that the next time you’re heading for the junk food!

4. Don’t Give Yourself Too Many Options

We know that routines may seem boring to you, but having a set way of doing things can help keep you in forming your habits. So, if you want to eat healthier, don’t just go to the grocery store and buy anything that catches your eye. Instead, create a routine of planning your meals out each and every week. Then, buy only the things you need for those meals. You won’t have as many options when it comes time to cook dinner, therefore you won’t become overwhelmed with options. And sometimes when you get overwhelmed, you just abandon it altogether. It’s the same premise of those mornings when you look into your closet that’s jam-packed with clothes, yet you feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear.

5. Don’t Allow Yourself Cheats

While we often allow ourselves a few “cheat” opportunities when trying to build a new habit, they are often a slippery slope back into our old ways. Skipping a day of working out can often lead into two days, or three days, or even more. If you decide you’re going to give up alcohol and you give in for that one, it may lead to more drinks than you intended and you’ll find it harder to get back on the right path.

Instead, skip the cheat days and stay strong when it comes to forming those new habits of yours. It will pay off in the end!

6. Don’t Confuse Habits and Goals

To put it simply, habits are not goals. A goal is the overall picture and you often have to make a few changes to your habits to meet those goals. For example, being healthier is a goal. But how do you become healthier? What defines healthy to you and what changes do you need to make to be healthier? As we mentioned above, you have to break it down into smaller steps. If you want to be healthier, you may want to wear sunscreen for healthier skin, drink eight glasses of water each day, or going for a walk after dinner for a healthier body and mind.

How do you build habits that stick? Leave a comment below…