5 Ways to Form a Habit

I’m currently diving into “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, and it’s fascinating how many of the concepts he discusses resonate with experiences I’ve had firsthand. It got me thinking about my own journey in forming habits, and I realized I’ve unwittingly applied many of the principles he outlines. That sparked the idea to share my insights and tips on habit formation through this blog post.

5 Ways to Form a Habit

1. Set a goal

I’ve got this long list of things I’ve always wanted to accomplish, but for some reason, I never quite made the time for them. It’s totally on me, I get it. But recently, I’ve had this epiphany that if I truly want to make progress, I’ve got to stick with my goals. This year, I’ve narrowed it down to a few: reading more books, getting healthier, and keeping up with my blog. 

But hey, if tackling three things at once feels like too much, starting with just one is totally cool. I mean, life gets hectic, right? So, let’s take it one step at a time and see where it leads us!

2. Incorporate an action to achieve the goal

So, once I had those three goals locked in, I figured it was time to put some action behind them. First up, reading more books. I decided to keep it simple: just pick one book at a time and stick with it until the end. No more jumping ship halfway through, you know?

Then there’s the whole weight loss thing. I committed to jogging for 30 minutes every day. It’s not about running marathons or anything, just getting out there and moving my body.

And last but not least, the blog. I set a goal to write two posts a week. That way, I’m keeping the content flowing without overwhelming myself. Sure, these little actions might not magically make all my goals happen overnight, but they’re definitely steps in the right direction.

3. Set the perfect time to do the action

Nailing down the when and where of your goals can be a bit of a puzzle, right? I mean, it’s one thing to say you’re gonna read more or exercise regularly, but actually slotting it into your day? That’s where things get real.

So, after some trial and error, I’ve figured out what works for me. For reading, I’ve found that post-breakfast, while I’m sipping my coffee, is prime book time. Once that cup’s empty, I wrap up the reading session.

Then there’s jogging. I’ve carved out a sweet spot between 10:30 and 11 in the morning. It’s when my schedule’s a bit more chill, and it’s right before I hit the shower. Perfect timing, if you ask me.

As for the blog, I’ve made Mondays and Tuesdays my writing days. Early mornings, around 7 to 8, before the chaos of the day kicks in. It’s when my brain’s firing on all cylinders, and I can get those words down without too many distractions.

4. Make it a part of your routine

Sticking to those designated times was a bit of a challenge at first, I won’t lie. I mean, life has a way of throwing curveballs, right? Like, what if I overslept and missed my morning coffee window? Or had an impromptu meeting right when I was supposed to jog?

And don’t even get me started on the dreaded forgetfulness. I swear, it’s like my brain has a mind of its own sometimes!

But hey, I’m all about solutions. So, to keep myself on track, I’ve enlisted the help of my trusty alarm clock. It’s become my lifeline, reminding me when it’s time to dive into that book or hit the pavement. And you know what? After a week or so of relying on those reminders, it’s like my body’s gotten the memo. Now, I’m pretty much in sync with my routine, no alarm needed.

5. Continue doing the action until it becomes a part of you

There are definitely days when the last thing I want to do is crack open a book or jog. It happens to the best of us, right? But then I remember something James Clear mentioned in his book, Atomic Habits. He talks about how it’s okay to miss a beat every now and then, as long as you don’t let it snowball into a pattern of missed opportunities.

I mean, let’s face it, life’s pretty unpredictable, and there are bound to be days when things don’t go according to plan. But here’s the thing – if we let one slip-up derail us entirely, we’re just setting ourselves up for more setbacks down the road.

So, even on those days when I’m not feeling particularly motivated or I’d rather just lounge on the couch, I make a conscious effort to push through the resistance. And you know what? More often than not, I’m glad I did. There’s something incredibly satisfying about sticking to your guns and seeing it through, even when you’re not at the top of your game.

Now, I get that my approach might not be everyone’s cup of tea. We’re all wired differently, after all. But hey, if you’re looking for some solid advice on building better habits, I can’t recommend Atomic Habits enough. Trust me, there’s a wealth of wisdom in there just waiting to be tapped into.