How to create a new habit in life
How to create a new habit in life and make it stick? Does creating a new habit need diligence?
Creating a new habit is a goal of many people to improve and enhance the quality of their lives. Eating healthy, exercising, giving gratitude, helping others are all habits that many of us want to acquire in life, yet so many of us have a hard time making a new habit stick, why is that?
Creating a new habit can be a challenge for many and I know how hard it can be for your mind to resist the temptation when it comes to creating something new in your life. However, trust me, once you are able to make it work, you will give yourself a pat on the back and you will be proud of yourself.
How to create a new habit in life
If your goal is to learn how to create a new habit in your life, then here are a few steps that will help you get there:
1. Become diligent
When learning to sing was one of my goals in life, I had to make conscious changes to my daily routine and make singing part of my day, which means I had to create a specific time to work on my voice. This required diligence on my part.
2. Know the obstacles
Are you aware of what obstacles can prevent you from following through with creating a new habit? You need to familiarize yourself with all the obstacles that you might encounter on your way, so you can deal with them easily if one obstacle pops up on the way.
By being mentally prepared to deal with such hurdles, you will have a better chance at managing them.
3. Build up your passion
If your goal is to create a new habit, then you will need to build up your passion and enthusiasm, otherwise you are likely to give up. One of the best ways to build your desire and passion is to focus at the end result and all the benefits you will gain when this habit becomes part of your personality.
4. Practice for 21 days
Usually, if you commit to practicing on creating a new habit for 21 days, you are very likely to make it part of your life. However, I understand that it can take some folks more depending on the person. If 21 days have passed and you still find it hard to stay diligent and the habit hasn’t become as second nature for you, then increase the days until you achieve your goal.
5. End procrastination
In order to create a new habit in your life, you need to stop procrastination. Most people are so used to coming up with excuses which usually prevent them from making the new habit stick and last.
Some common excuses are:
- I don’t have enough time
- I’m too tired now, I will do it tomorrow
- It is too hard to make the new habit become part of my life
- I will wait until I feel like it
- I’m so stressed now, I can’t do it
If you are serious about making the new habit part of your life, then putting a stop to procrastination is a must.
6. Get the support of friends and family
Never underestimate the power of family and friends who can support you with creating a new habit part of your life. Find one or two people that will keep you motivated if you become inclined to give up.
7. Visualize yourself succeeding
One of the techniques that I am personally passionate about is visualization, not only when I want to create new habits in my life so they stick, but in all areas of life. When it comes to creating a new and positive habit, you need to visualize yourself succeeding.
For example, if you want to start exercising, but having a hard time getting up in the morning, begin to see yourself waking up and doing your normal routine of exercise. See yourself stretching, walking, or jogging. This will help program your subconscious mind with the new habit you want to incorporate in you daily routine.
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For more information, read:
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All great tips Dia – and the perfect post for the New Year. I’ve found the best way to create a new habit is to be willing to change in the first place. Until we are self motivated to change, we’ll stay stuck with the habits we don’t like.
Here’s to change and to a happy New Year!
Alex
Hi Dia,
This is a great post to start the new year off right! For many, they’ve made their new years resolutions without even considering how they will follow through which is why so many people fail. This post definitely spells out how to achieve that without failing this time around.
I know from time to time I’ve had to implement new goals and some I was not passionate about but knew I would be better off so everything you’ve pointed out really does help. Especially doing it consistently for 21 days although I give myself 30. If I can get through 30 then I just get use to it.
Always enjoying learning from you Dia. You are straight and to the point without any fluff. I love that about your posts.
Happy New Year Dia! I wish you all the best in 2012.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..My Secret To Blogging Success
Very good post on the steps involved in installing a new habit Dia.Creative visualisation is one approach I’ve found personally very helpful. I used to use it a lot before giving presentations.
Hi Dia,
Each of the 7 points that you raise are habits in themselves and require the appropriate self discipline to succeed. At the end of the day, the “Why” has to be big enough for one to keep going. If the “why” is great then the ‘hows’ tend to follow in line.
be good to yourself
David
David Stevens recently posted..11 Must Do’s that you can write on the palm of your hand & will make your 2012 a hit
Hi Dia,
All wonderful suggestions for creating new habits. I especially like practice for 21 days and visualize yourself succeeding. The start of a new year is a good time to create some new habits. Happy 2012 to you.
Cathy | Treatment Talk recently posted..Reminder: You Are Not Alone on Your Addiction Journey
Hi Dia,
Great tips to start the new year off. It is a great idea to create new life habits. First you create a new habit, then the habit makes us
Thanks for sharing!
marc van der Linden recently posted..How judging others can fool you
Apropos of the New year, Indeed. Never argue with wrong reactions that have become bad habits. Simply expose them to the light, and your natural responses to any challenging condition in your life will astound you. Make it a habit to hunger and thirst for a better understanding of yourself, not according to your personal limitations, but according to your unlimited potential.
rob white recently posted..When Two Hands on the Clock Meet on Twelve
Hi Dia,
Great tips. I have found that starting with this one first really works for me. Visualize yourself succeeding. When i do this I see the result and it motivates me to take action.
We all have habits that we can change. Now is a great time to start the year off right.
thanks Dia for motivating me to change what needs to be changed.
Happy New Year and my the blessing just keep rolling in for you and yours.
Debbie
Debbie @ Happy Maker recently posted..How to Take Charge of Your World in 2012!
All good points. I think that when it comes to habit building you have to believe the new habit will have more positive benefits for you than the old habit in order to be successful.
For instance, if you are trying to build a habit of eating better than you would want to make eating healthy food more appealing to you than eating unhealthy food, because if your mind decides that eating potato chips makes you feel better than a carrot then you will reach for the potato chips every time. There has to be a greater benefit or more positive association with the new habit in order for it to really stick with ease. At least that’s what I’ve experienced.
Bellaisa recently posted..7 Marriage Tips To Keep Your Relationship Spark Alive
Thank you all for your comments and support
Dia recently posted..Five Ways to Achieve Your Goals