How To Build Good Habits That Stick

As we head into August, half of the year has gone by, and so has our enthusiasm for fulfilling our New Year's resolutions. The excuses to start from tomorrow have become a routine occurrence, and by now, you have probably given up on most of those goals altogether. Perhaps you'll give it another try next year and have better luck with it?

Have you ever wondered how other people seem to accomplish so many of their yearly goals?

What exactly is it that motivates them to build good habits and continue improving themselves for a healthier, more productive living? We all make resolutions to change and be better, but consistency and taking it slow are the secrets that actually allow people to incorporate these good habits into their daily lives in the long run. You need to believe in yourself, hold yourself accountable, and celebrate every small win to build good habits that stick.

In this blog, we will discuss some of the best habit development tips to help you out. All of these tips are designed to be exceptionally easy to follow, and before you know it, you will have succeeded in adopting all of your desired habits. We will also suggest some good habits that should be a part of your daily life.

The Most Effective Tips to Build Good Habits

Most people are highly motivated when they start working on building good habits. But within two weeks or so, this motivation mostly wears off, and they find themselves struggling to keep at it. That is why it is so important to know how to build good habits before you get started.

Below, we have compiled a list of the best tried-and-tested habit development tips to help you out. All of these tips will help you maintain discipline and stay motivated to build the healthy habits that you seek. Just keep pushing forward and do your best to stay true to your goal of making these habits stick!

Figure Out Your Excuses

It is important to first identify any obstacles in your way before you get started. Take out some time to think back to all of the times you've tried to adopt this habit before. What keeps getting in your way? Why haven't you been able to succeed in building this good habit before?

Once you have identified the things that hold you back, you can strategize accordingly to ensure that they don't get in the way. It doesn't matter how big or small the habit you're trying to build; everything comes with its own roadblocks. You just need to be prepared to swerve past them so you can succeed in getting to the finish line.

Start Slow and Simple

If the good habit you want to adopt is exercising regularly, you aren't going to lift 300 pounds in one day. Similarly, if you want to find a new job, run a marathon, or even start spending more time in nature, all of these goals take time to accomplish.

The best way to keep yourself on the path to success as you try to build good habits is by breaking your goal into small increments. For example, if you're looking for a new job, your first milestone can be creating an impressive CV. Once you've accomplished that, you can move on to finding five relevant open positions to apply to and so on.

Remember, if you try to do too much at once, you are most likely to fail. It also destroys your morale and makes you not want to keep trying. So be patient with yourself and start slow.

Create Your Cues

A cue, or trigger, can be thought of as a ritual that you take part in. This ritual will help you practice the habit you're trying to build more consistently as you train your mind and body to do it right after you're done with the cue. Think of how you shut the door behind you as soon as you step into your bedroom or the way you place your keys on the holder after entering your home. All of these are habits that follow a cue.

Hence, by creating certain cues for yourself, you can ensure that you stay dedicated to the good habits that you're trying to build. If you want to eat healthier and are meal planning for it, your cue could be taking out the food from the fridge as soon as you get home. This will reduce the chances of you ordering pizza yet again, and you will slowly form a habit of eating healthy food at home.

Consistency is Key

The whole point of a habit is something you do daily. So, you need to be consistent as you try to build good habits. Do your best to make sure you don't forget them on a daily basis. You can set up reminders on your phone, write down sticky notes and place them on your dresser, or even have a friend check up on you to ensure you are practicing the habit each.

Understand the 21/90 Rule

Most self-help programs will tell you that it takes just 21 days to build a new habit. While this is mostly true and does apply to most good habits, there are some that can take significantly more time.

Studies show that some habits are harder to build. Therefore, it can take up to 90 days before you can honestly say that you've succeeded. This stands true not just for building good habits but also for breaking bad ones. If you're trying to stop smoking or reduce your screen time, offering yourself just 21 days to get it done is hardly fair. Your mind and body both need more time to adjust to the new lifestyle choices you're making for yourself. So, take it slow and be patient as you make these healthy transitions.

Don't Sweat About Failure

People fail; it is as real a part of life as the sky above. Unfortunately, most people are raised to have an extreme fear of failure that holds them back from trying at all. When you try to build good habits, allow yourself some room for failure. There's nothing wrong with it, and neither will one bad day ruin all of the progress you've made.

If you're trying to eat healthier but end up munching on some Twinkies as an afternoon snack, be sure not to speak unkindly to yourself. It's okay to mess up every now and then; just be sure to get right back on the saddle and keep trying to build good habits. Don't lose heart, and don't let one setback keep you from building a better lifestyle for yourself.

Make Up for Lost Needs

If you're trying to stop a bad habit, make sure you replace it with something to adequately make up for your lost needs. Take watching Netflix before bed as an example. You've probably heard of how blue light damages your sleep cycle and prevents you from getting a good night's sleep. So you could be trying to stop watching Netflix as a way to relax before you sleep.

However, that leaves you with an hour or so of time and no way to wind down for bed. A better way to go about it would be to take up meditation or a nice, warm bath before bed. These activities will fulfill the same need but in a healthier manner.

Have an Accountability System

Research shows that people who are held accountable for their goals and good habits by their partners or friends have more chances of succeeding. This is because you know there is somebody who will question your decisions and ensure that you are sticking with your good habits.

It is always best to create your own accountability system that you're comfortable with. You can report back to a friend, post your daily efforts on social media, or even use a journal to hold yourself accountable.

Some Healthy Habits to Adopt

Now that you're ready to start adopting some good habits in your life let's go over some of the best resolutions to consider. Your good habits should aim to improve your mental, physical, spiritual and social health. They should help you feel better and live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Moreover, these habits should help you make small actions and decisions every single day that honor your mind and body.

Here are some great habits you should start practicing from today.

Keep Your Body Moving

Most people nowadays lead sedentary lifestyles as they spend most of their days seated. They sit on a bus or car on the way to work, then proceed to remain mostly seated for the next 7-8 hours in the office. They sit right back to commute home and then sit on the couch to relax after a long day.

Human beings aren't meant to live in such a way. We have been given bodies that require regular exercise and hard work to stay healthy and in shape. So, try to make exercise a daily part of your day. Don't do it to lose weight or burn off extra calories that you might have indulged in. Instead, exercise should be an enjoyable daily habit for everyone.

Make Time for Yourself

In the daily hustle and bustle of life, most people tend to forget what matters most - making time for themselves. Take a few seconds to think back to the last time you did something that you really wanted to do. When was the last time you practiced a hobby that you've always enjoyed?

It is important to make time for yourself each day, not just to relax but also to improve your mental and physical health. It reduces stress, improves your mood, and boosts cognitive patterns.

Get Enough Sleep

Do you ever find yourself fighting to stay awake so you can watch one more episode or finish a painting that you've been working on? When people find themselves running out of time during their days, the first thing they cut out is sleep. It is a phenomenon called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination (RBP), and people around the world are observed experience it.

However, RBP could be exactly why you find yourself not getting time to do all you want to accomplish in a day. You can only work effectively and make the most of your day when you've gotten enough sleep. Cutting down on sleep hours will only have you feeling lethargic and working slower than ever. So, be sure to get in your 8 hours each night!

Daily Affirmations for the Win

Lastly, you need to build a healthy and kind way of speaking to yourself. Instead of being frustrated and degrading yourself for not accomplishing all that you want, you should try a more positive approach. Keep telling yourself that you are worth the hard work you're putting in, and affirm to yourself that you will succeed in all of your goals.

It is the best way to keep yourself on the path to success as you build healthy habits.

Final Words

The psychology of habit formation shows us that habits are best formed when they are attached to contextual cues. Think of how you automatically put on the seatbelt after getting in your car. This is a good habit that you have adopted as a result of a cue, which is sitting in your car. Similarly, there are many other habit development tips like replacing unhealthy habits with better ones and trying out the thirty days rule that you should try out.

All of these tips have been designed to allow your mind and body to settle into new habits easily. What might seem like extra work that you have to actively remind yourself to do can quickly become a regular part of your day with these tips. Just remember to stay consistent and do your best not to let any setbacks bring you down. Best of luck!