Do you struggle with how to break old habits and build new ones?
Think of a time in your life when you had taken that bold step to break a bad habit, and you were already on the way to building new ones, but unfortunately, you find yourself back in those bad habits.
While growing up, there was a routine where you woke up in the morning, do your devotion, hop into the shower, get ready for school, have breakfast, and go to school.
A habit is more like this. It’s like a routine, something you do unconsciously, without anyone reminding you.
Imagine how powerful and efficient you will be if you are able to build habits and are intentional about it.
What does habit mean?
A habit is something you do regularly without being told. It’s more of a reflex action and is hard to give up.
For example, you may be someone who brushes her teeth after each meal.
This is already a habit that you’ve built over a period and will be hard to let go of.
ARISTOTLE We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit”.
Easy ways to break old habits and build new ones.
Be honest with yourself.
Nobody can tell you the truth other than you. So when you begin to take on bad habits and you fall off the wagon. Pick yourself up and speak the truth to yourself.
Avoid triggering situations.
What does a trigger look like to you? Could it be when you hang out with a certain group of people?
Take, for example, you are trying to break the habit of spending beyond what you earn, but when you hang out with a specific group of friends, you dip into your savings.
These friends can be a trigger, and saying no to them can help you break that bad habit.
Make the new habit obvious.
You are finding it difficult to visit the gym every day. You can make the new habit obvious by selecting your gym outfit a day before and putting it where you can see them the next day.
Visualization.
Visualize what your life will be like when you break those bad habits and what it will be when you have the new ones.
It is a great way to break bad habits because you gravitate toward a new you.
So it can be you going to bed by 10 pm daily. What does a life like this look like for you?
It means you will wake up early, be energetic, full of life, and be ready to conquer the day.
How do you break bad habits and build new ones effortlessly?
Get an accountability partner.
It will be hard because you are trying to build a habit for the first time, hence why you need a person to keep you accountable.
This accountability partner can be a friend, a family member, or someone who’s on the same journey as you.
Someone that would help you on your journey to being the best version of yourself.
So get someone who will be honest and maybe a little hard on you.
Take baby steps.
Focus on getting 1% better every day. Remember, building habits is like climbing a staircase. You don’t take the first step and head toward the last.
You will lose track. So take it one day at a time.
Build a reward system.
I’ve seen people who reward themselves when they achieve a goal.
You can do this as well. For example, you will treat yourself to a spa day if you reduce your screen time to 4 hours daily for 30 days.
With the reward as a motivator, you will want to keep going.
Set up cues.
Make the new habit you are trying to build obvious. For example, if you want to increase your water intake level, place water bottles filled with water in different areas within your house.
or
Do you want to build your self-confidence and love yourself? Place affirmation cards in areas where you will see them.
Stack it up.
Habit stacking is the easiest way to build and stick to new habits. It is combining an old habit of yours with a new one you want to start.
For example, if you already eat healthy meals but trying to listen to more podcasts, you can stack listening to podcasts when making your breakfast in the morning.
Habit stacking makes it easier to absorb the new habit without making it look like a lot of work.
James Clear wrote more on this in his book ATOMIC HABITS
Keep a record.
A record can be a template or a calendar to tick off days when you are successful with the new habit. It will help you see how you’re progressing, and help to motivate you as well.
Set realistic goals.
Set goals that are realistic and achievable. Building new habits take time. There are periods when you will fail and start again.
When setting goals, don’t say you will reduce your screen time to 5% when it was 60%. It doesn’t work that way.
A realistic goal can be within the next thirty days. I will reduce my screen time by 1% daily.
Be disciplined.
Everyone who wants to build a new habit is disciplined. It takes time, effort, and being intentional about what you want.
So on days when everyone is still awake by 11 pm, discipline is getting up and going to bed when you are supposed to.
Why is it crucial to break bad habits and build new ones?
- More productive.
- It allows you to reach your goals.
- Habits are a foundation for your life.
- It helps you manage your stress level.
- It keeps you in order.
Keep yourself inspired. Think about why you want to build new habits, and who you see yourself to be whenever you feel like quitting.
Building a new habit is a staircase that you need to take a step to get to the top. When climbing, you get tired on the way. You may decide to rest, but do not give up.
The only way you can fail is when you stop trying.
Others might make it look simple. It could be easier for them, but remember everybody has a different path to take.
Take your time, and before you know it, you will be the version you’ve always had in mind.