Our habits form a huge part of how we behave every day and the types of thoughts we have about various things. Therefore, it makes sense that you would want to develop better habits that can help you lead a more positive life. However, building new habits and getting rid of old ones might not be as easy as you think, as you will need to stay committed, organised, and consistent, if you want to see results. This is why today we have prepared a few practical suggestions that will show you how to establish better habits and stick to them in the long term.
Start With Small Habits
It can be difficult to build a new habit if it requires a lot of attention and commitment. As a result, you may quickly lose motivation, as it might feel overwhelming. Instead, it can be a better idea to start with small habits that you don’t need to think about much. This will help you develop the discipline that you will need to focus on other more important habits. For example, if you want to read more books, you can start by reading five pages a day. Although it might not seem like a lot to begin with, you will slowly be able to gather momentum and read more.
Look For Better Alternatives
If you are trying to ditch a bad habit and develop a new one, you might benefit from exploring alternatives. For instance, if you are trying to give up smoking, consider vaping, as it can help you stave off nicotine cravings over time. Check out this guide from Grey Haze to find out what disposable vapes are. Getting a disposable vape pen can be a good idea if you are a beginner and you want to keep it as simple as possible. Moreover, vape pens can provide you with a lot of flexibility, especially when you are travelling.
Develop A Healthy Routine
Another aspect that might be making it more difficult to stick to a new habit is your daily routine. If you are always running late or feeling stressed, you might not be able to focus on any positive changes you are trying to make. This is why it can be beneficial to develop a healthy routine, which allows you to maintain your habits and work on your personal development. For example, it can be a good idea to get up early in the morning and spend some time listening to an interesting podcast or reading a few pages from a book before you go to bed.
Avoid Negative Self-Talk
The way you speak to yourself can determine whether you are likely to stick to your goals or not. Negative self-talk can be detrimental, so you should avoid being hard on yourself whenever things don’t work out the way you want. It’s important to stop expecting perfection, as otherwise, you will always be disappointed. Make a conscious effort to silence any negative thoughts that come your way. Once you accept that failure is part of life, you will become more confident and happier, which will give you the motivation to maintain good habits.
Place Reminders Everywhere
One of the most difficult parts about building a new habit is remembering to do it regularly. Therefore, it can be helpful to place reminders in various parts of your home, particularly when you are in the beginning stages. You can put post-it notes on your bathroom mirror or fridge to remind you of the reasons why you want to start a new habit. Also, you can use your phone to set automatic reminders or download a habit tracker app, where you can record your progress every day.
Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People
You may not realise this, but the people you are surrounded by can also influence the way you think and behave. This means that if you spend a lot of time with people who don’t share the same passions and goals as you, chances are that you won’t be able to stick to your positive habits in the long run. Therefore, you should focus on creating a supportive environment by making connections with people who want to achieve the same things as you. For example, if you want to get into the habit of running every morning, make sure you spend more time with people who do this already.
Get Back On Track
Remember that everybody makes mistakes and gets off track every once in a while, so you are not alone if you are struggling to make your new habits fit into your routine. However, the most important thing is to get back on track as soon as possible. Even if you miss one or two days, you can simply go back to it and do your best. After all, this won’t make a huge impact on your long-term success as long as you stay consistent and focused.
Learn More About The Benefits
Committing to a new habit or change in your life can be challenging, especially if you don’t understand your reasons for wanting to make a difference in the first place. Make sure you learn more about the benefits of making a change and how a certain habit can impact your lifestyle. For example, if you are trying to find the motivation to exercise more, it’s important to listen to podcasts, which delve into the advantages of exercise or talk to people who work out every day. Once you know more about the benefits of new habits, you will feel more motivated.
Make Habits Part Of Your Schedule
Managing your time well is another key part of maintaining new habits. However, if you have a lot on your place, it can be difficult to keep up with new changes. Therefore, you may want to consider how you can make habits part of your schedule without having to set aside extra time every week. For instance, if you have to commute to an office every day, you can read a few pages from a book or get your to-do list ready while you are on the go.
Stick To The Pace That Works For You
Throughout this process, it’s crucial to stay patient and stick to the pace that works for you instead of comparing yourself to others. Remember that it’s possible to achieve great progress as long as you stay consistent. Even if you are only making small steps every day, you are still moving forward, so this is what counts the most in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes you might need to go slower than you think to ensure you are not putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect.
Review Your Progress
Last but not least, it’s essential to review your progress to see how far you have come. This will help you keep on going, even if you don’t feel like it. Be sure to set attainable goals that you can refer to at different times. For example, you may want to check on your progress every month or once every three months, depending on your goals. Also, you may find areas for improvement and think about any adjustments you want to make. It can be beneficial to write your ideas down, as this will give you a clear picture of the end result.
