BUILDING HABITS || 3 Tips to Build Habits for Lasting Personal Development
Habits are powerful things. They can either help us or hinder us in achieving our goals. If we can learn to build good habits, we can set ourselves up for success in all areas of our lives.
Here are 3 tips for building habits for lasting personal development:
If you start with a goal that is too big, you might become overwhelmed and reluctant to start building the habit. Smaller steps are better than one big step. It allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment.
Start small. Don't try to change too much too soon. If you start with a big goal, you're more likely to get discouraged and give up. Instead, start with a small habit you know you can stick to. For example, if you want to start exercising more, start by committing to walking for 30 minutes three times a week. Once you've mastered that habit, you can gradually increase the amount of time you exercise or add in other activities.
Make it easy. The easier it is to do something, the more likely you are to do it. So make sure your habit is as easy as possible to start and maintain. For example, if you want to start reading more, keep a book by your bed so you can pick it up and read 10 pages before you sleep. Baby steps that are manageable and attainable give you small wins and positively reinforce the habit. Or, if you want to start meditating, find a guided meditation you can listen to on your phone. With apps like Calm, there are meditation segments as short as 7 minutes each day to get you started.
Be consistent. The key to building any habit is consistency. The more you do something, the more likely it becomes a habit. So make sure to do your habit at the same time each day or week. And don't beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. Just pick up where you left off and keep going.
Building a habit not only keeps you in check, but it allows you to improve your own well-being. It’s always better to develop good habits and activities throughout the day than laying in bed not knowing what you should do next. Even making a schedule or To-Do list each day can help build long-lasting habits.
Here are some additional tips for building habits:
Find a partner or accountability group. Having someone to support and keep you accountable can make a big difference.
Reward yourself. When you stick to your habit, give yourself a small reward. This will help you stay motivated.
Don't give up. Everyone slips up sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up over one small mistake or one missed session. Don't let one setback derail your progress. Just pick yourself up and keep going, and make sure you are starting with something small, like skipping out on dessert at night.
Building habits takes time and effort, but it's worth it. When you have good habits, you're more likely to achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life. So start small, make it easy, and be consistent.