Forming a new habit, such as exercising every day or eating a better breakfast, is easier said than done. While we may start with good intentions, we all too easily forget to turn them into lasting actions. Here are some tips to help you make a new habit stick.
Write it down - Commit your new habit to paper and place a reminder in a prominent place so you'll see it every day. The simple act of writing your intention down makes it more “real.”
Keep it consistent - Don't take breaks from your new habit — do it every day or every week. Once you start taking time off, you're on the slippery slope to breaking your habit.
Start slowly - You don't need to everything at once. If your aim is to exercise for an hour a day, start with just 10 minutes and work up to an hour. Then it won't seem so daunting.
Remind yourself - Set up reminders in your computer or in your agenda. These will act as external prompts to keep you on track.
Get rid of temptation - Avoid having anything near you that will tempt you to break your habit. If you've decided, for example, to drink water instead of pop, banish soda from your home.
Set a goal...and a reward - Decide that if you keep up your habit for a certain length of time you'll reward yourself in some way. Then you'll have something to aim for.
Get help and support - Tell your friends or spouse what you are trying to achieve and ask them to support you — encouraging you when you need it and keeping you on track if you start to stray.
Know what's in it for you - Always remember why you're trying to form a new habit in the first place. If you think about the benefits you'll less likely get discouraged.
Keep on doing these things and that habit will start to develop.
Have Fun
Alan
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