Building Good Habits | ProductiveandFree

We’ve all tried to form new habits at one point or another. Some habits have proven to be harder than others. That did not stop us from trying to break some bad habits either way.

Today let’s discuss possible ways to help us maintain good habits and stick with them until it becomes a habit. We all need a little help than we realize. So, let’s get started.

#1 One at a Time

Drink a Cup of Water | ProductiveandFree

Don’t try to start doing multiple habits at the same time. It will be harder to do one consistently when there are a few at the same time. Know that it takes approximately 66 days for one habit to become a habit.

Depending on the habit you are trying to develop, one habit at a time might be more beneficial to do, than doing multiple ones at the same time. Unless perhaps, it is a sequence of habits, like, for example, in the morning, wake up early, drink a glass of water, meditate for 10 minutes, then eat breakfast. This habit makes sense to do as one.

Remember, you know yourself better than others, do something manageable. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a lot of new habits only to set yourself up to fail. We’re trying to build good habits that will stick with us for a long time.

#2 Setbacks are Okay

Don’t feel bad about setbacks. These situations always happen. What’s important is to keep going and not to stop. No one is perfect. Everyone makes a mistake. No one gets it right, right away. So don’t expect yourself to get there 100% instantly. So what if you missed a day? It was a crazy, busy day at work, the kids were nuts, the house was a mess, you were feeling quite ill, let it go, just continue tomorrow.

#3 Always Move Forward

Yes, it was awful you missed a day. This is why we continue. We keep moving forward. We don’t let that one setback stop us from developing our habit. It’s true that some days can be hard. Other days can even be more laborious. Like for example, walking can feel tedious, or you may question yourself why you are doing this at all, but if you focus on your goal, to you can maintain this habit you set for yourself.

#4 Never Give Up

Doesn’t this explain it all. Some words of wisdom I would like to share is this: The lazier you feel, the more you should do it. I wish I could remember who told me that. Whenever I feel lazy to get up and do something, like, walking, I always tell myself, let’s just get it over with, and walk.

“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”

— John C. Maxwell

#5 Do It At Your Own Pace

Set your own pace. Don’t follow trends, a tv show, a magazine, your friends, your neighbor, something that tells you what should be done, when it should be done, or what what needs to be done. That’s very important. You can’t follow a friend whose been training for the marathon for years when you’ve only started a few weeks ago. Makes sense?

What’s important here is setting realistic goals for yourself. If this week you can only do a 10 minute walk. Go for it. If you could increase that to 15 minutes next week. That’s amazing. Don’t be pressured to increase it to 20 minutes, when you can’t. Remember, do it at your own pace.

#6 Change It Up

Be kind to yourself. Take it easy. There would be times when things would just get too hard, and you feel like you just want to give up. So, pause, take a break, think of what you can do to spice it up, and begin again.

There’s nothing ever wrong with changing your routine. Think of ways to make it more fun, as with any relationship, your habit IS a relationship and needs work. A lot of work in fact, to cultivate it, to let it grow, and thrive.

For example, if you feel like walking is getting too repetitive - try to find a new route, listen to music while doing it, do it at another time of the day, find a walking buddy.

#7 Track Progress NOT Perfection

Habits don’t happen in day. Remember the saying, Rome was not built in a day. Well, so are habits. Some habits may not even show results for months. No one is perfect, neither is changing habits and there is no one way to do it. Track your progress, not how you to do it everyday, every minute, every second. Progress is better. Not perfection.

Sometimes we do fall off the wagon, but what’s important is getting up and doing it again, starting over, nothing wrong with that.

#8 Reward Yourself

With every progress or milestone, reward yourself. Do something nice for yourself, something fun. Go ahead.

It doesn’t mean you have to go in the extremes, you can simply have a spa day. Or if it means going to that game you’ve been wanting to go too, and getting ring side seats, go ahead.

Conclusion

Just remember developing new habits can be easy as you make it. It really depends on you. Focus on what you want and just stick to it, no matter what obstacles get in your way.

Here are other blog posts you can read to help you in developing habits, maintaining them, and the benefits of having these good habits:

12 Morning Habits Worth Developing

12 Evening Habits Worth Developing

12 Self-Care Habits Worth Developing

5 Benefits of Developing the Right Habits

How to Finally Develop and Change Your Habits