8 Easy Steps to Creating a New Habit

Goodbye 2018, hello 2019, and hello to a whole new slew of resolutions that last a couple of weeks and then back to our old ways.

Are you tired of setting a goal and then not achieving it? With a small amount of self-control and a bit of determination, you can create a new habit that requires minimal effort to maintain. Here are 8 easy ways to create a new habit and stick to it.

1. One at a Time

What's the old saying? "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to create a ton of new habits or by trying to change overnight. When we focus on one habit at a time, our willpower will be channeled into that one habit, thereby increasing our chances at success.

2. 30-Day Commitment

Commit to a minimum of 30 days to help your habit become automatic. If you can push through that initial phase, three to four weeks is a great block of time to develop your habit. 

3. Consistency is Key

To really help your success, try micro-commitments in the midst of your larger overall commitment. The most important part is to remain consistent even when you don’t feel like it.

4. Don’t Lower Your Defenses

Change up your environment in order to keep focused, especially during the first 30 days. Get all the junk food out of your house, make to-do lists for the next day before you leave the office so you can start the day fresh, prepare and anticipate that obstacles will come.

5. You Become What You Spend Time Around

Make and find relationships with individuals who model the habits that you want to mirror. This also helps develop accountability so track those efforts and share publicly about your new goals.

6. Rewards & Recognition

Sound familiar? It’s important that while developing your new habit that you set up reward milestones along the way. Keep in mind what your new goal and habits are and avoid anything that could cause you to backpedal on your goals. Take time to celebrate those moments along the way.

7. Know the Benefits

Become familiar with the benefits of making a change. The more you commit to making that change, the more you’ll see differences. Maybe it is a new energy level due to working out 3 times a week or maybe you are completing more in a day at your job because of your new way of staying organized.

8. Only You Matter

Remember, no one else but you can accomplish your goals. Don’t give up when you have setbacks, only you can keep moving forward. When you fall down, get up, wipe the dust off and keep slaying those goals and habits.