7 Simple Tips to Help You Establish a New Habit

New year, new resolutions. Whether you want to eat healthier, establish a better work-life balance, or get your home organized, forming new habits takes time and effort. With a little planning and commitment, this can be the year your changes stick. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

 
Photo credit: Unsplash.com

Photo credit: Unsplash.com

 

1. Keep it simple.

It’s easy to get over-motivated and take on too much at once. Be honest with yourself about what you think you can accomplish. Pick the 2-3 habits you most would like to change and focus your efforts on those.

2. Set specific goals

If your ultimate goal is to organize your whole house, break it down into more manageable objectives. Pick a long weekend to organize your garage and schedule it on your calendar for example.  

3. Start slow.

You cannot change your life overnight. If you want to wake up an hour earlier in the morning, start by waking up 15 minutes earlier and build up.

4. Commit to 30 days

Four weeks is all you need to make a new habit automatic. Plus, a month is a good block of time to commit to change because it fits nicely on one calendar page.

5. Do it Daily

Consistency is critical if you want to make a new habit stick. If your goal is to keep a tidier home, take 15 minutes every night to put items back in their proper places.

6. Set Reminders

Track your progress in a notebook, on a calendar, using an app, etc. Set a reminder to check in with yourself on your overall progress at the end of each week.

7. Do It For Yourself

Don’t stress about all the things you “should” be doing or what others around you are doing. Instead, target your new habits towards your goals and the things that motivate you.