Habit Changing Tips – Be your Favorite YOU

Below are easy to follow Habit Changing Tips for you to be the best version of you! It is so much easier to continue a routine and stay running on your current hamster wheel. Resolutions thought of but never kept! The promises we make to ourselves are easy to ignore when we do not put a plan in place.

Changing a habit to a permanent change is a journey that requires dedication, patience, and a strategic approach. Why wait till New Year’s to promise yourself this year will be different? Start now, while you are thinking about it, searching about it, and don’t have a million other things you are thinking about for the New Year.

Ten Easy Steps for Changing a Habit

1. Identify the habit you want to change.

• The first step in changing a habit is to clearly identify what you want to change. Write it down, be specific and understand why you want to change it. Put this list in a place you will regularly see it. Display pictures of where you are and where you want to be as motivation.

2. Understand your Triggers

• Habits are triggered by cues. If you are trying to lose weight but have a bowl of your favorite candy where you see if every day, this will remind you that you really enjoy a piece of chocolate at the end of the day. Move the temptation out of sight. Put your running shoes but the front door so you remember to go run instead of eating a piece of candy.

3. Set Clear and Achievable Goals

• Set measurable and achievable goals. Instead of saying you want to do something like I want to exercise more, say I want to exercise 30 minutes three times a week. Clear goals provides direction and makes it easier to track progress.

4. Create a Plan

• Develop a detailed plan for how you will change your habit. This plan should include steps, resources, and how you will handle obstacles. An example would be if you want to increase your exercise time, choose the amount of time you want to exercise, choose if you want to work out at home or join a gym, and what you will do if you are unable to work out at home or gym.

5. Start with Small Steps

• Begin with manageable steps. Trying to overhaul your entire routine will be overwhelming and lead to failure. Small changes are easier to maintain and can build momentum for larger changes.

6. Replace habit with a Positive Habit

• Instead of just trying to eliminate a bad habit, replace it with a positive one. For example, if you want to lose weight and stop eating chocolate when you get home from work, have a healthier option instead like a protein ball with a few chocolate chips.

7. Use Reminders and Cues to Stay on Track

• Use reminders to stay on track. This could be using notes for yourself, setting up alarms, or using an app to keep track. These will help reinforce your new habit until it becomes automatic.

8. Track Progress

• Keep a record of your progress in a journal, an app, or a checklist in a visible area. Use photographs of where you are and where you want to be. For example, if you are trying to keep your home organized, take a before picture and find a picture of what you want your space to look like to motivate to reach your goal.

9. Find Supporters

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family or friends. Sharing your goals with others can provide you with motivation and encouragement. Having someone share in your journey can make the progress more enjoyable.

10. Be PATIENT and PERSISTENT

• Changing a habit takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and understand setbacks are part of the process. If you slip up, don’t get discouraged. Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Congratulations! Making a change into a new habit is challenging but rewarding. By following the steps above, you can increase your chances of success. I have implemented this process for many habits in my life and am very happy with the results. So, remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and you will be on your way to a better you!