How To Make New Habits Stick

Creating a new habit is not always so easy. I have often wondered how to make new habits stick. I see so many successful business owners with such good habits, but as an ENTP habits are really hard for me- I get bored.

If you’re anything like me, you find yourself constantly trying to make new habits stick, with little success. Here are six simple hacks from that will make it a little easier. Use them until you’ve internalized the new habit and don’t need the brain power anymore- when it’s a true habit!

Schedule It And Put It On The To-Do List

Sometimes we forget to do that new thing we were trying. Like when I decided that I would wake up every morning at 5:30 and go for a run. Spoiler alert it didn’t happen- mostly because I hate the cold and I tried to start running in January.

But for my more successfully established habits making a schedule has helped tremendously. First I make a schedule- then I add it to not one but upwards of 3 planners. Yes I have 3, don’t judge! Then I set reminders in my cell phone. I don’t want to be able to walk away from my new habit.

Make It Public and Be Accountable

Let family and friends know what new habits you’re trying to establish. They will call you out if you don’t stick to your plan and get you back on track. I know this is a really scary one but hear me out!

Have your sister/mother/husband check in with you about it. I had my sister check in with me weekly to see how things were going because I have no accountability to myself. I even set Alexa reminders for my Echo Dot!

Piggyback On A Habit You Already Have

Whenever possible, add the new habit to one you already have. For example, if you fix a cup of tea or coffee at 5 am, and you want to get in the habit of taking a daily jog, make the new ritual to go for your jog and then come back and enjoy your tea.

It’s much easier to amend an existing habit or ritual than creating an entirely new one. This is proabably the easiest way I have found to make a habit stick.

Make Your Slip-Ups HURT

Here’s a fun idea. Put a jar on the kitchen counter and each time you slip back into your bad habit or get lax about sticking to the new one you have to put five dollars in the jar. It will quickly help you remember to skip that donut and motivate you to go out for that walk. That money is not yours any longer-it belongs to emergency savings/homeschool budget whatever you designate.

Find A Partner and Help Each Other Along

Find someone with the same or similar goal. This could be a workout partner or a coworker who is also on a diet. Keep tabs on each other and encourage each other to keep going. It’s much harder to skip a walk if you know someone else is depending on you being there.

Honestly, I have used my kids too. Cementing new homeschool habits are easier when my oldest is keeping me in line.

Make It A Group Challenge

If one accountability partner is good, a whole group is even better. And they don’t even need to be local. Find a supportive group online like on Facebook. Challenge each other to stick to your new habit. Not wanting to be the first one to give up will keep all of you going until you establish that new habit.

Give these simple little hacks a try. Keep using the ones that you find helpful until you have made new habits you can stick with without the help of any tools or support. Good Luck!