How to Make New Habits Stick: Warrior Mind Podcast #420

Over four years and going strong!  With over 800,000 downloads from over 9 countries and 5 continents’…. this is the Warrior Mind Podcast.

With the New Year upon us, we look to creating new habits.  In this episode of the Warrior Mind Podcast I’m going to talk about how to make new habits stick!

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How to Make New Habits Stick

Having a routine is useful in carrying out tasks around the house. From the time you wake up, you should know what task comes first for example exercise, taking breakfast, getting kids to school and cleaning up. Work around the house never seems to end. There is so much that is supposed to be done which is why some people hire house helps. In the near future, we could probably get robot servants in our homes which would reduce the amount of work. However, until that happens, we should develop some new habits that will minimize the complete all the work.

Creating and sticking to new habits requires a certain amount of discipline. This will help you maintain and master the habits much easier. Outlined below are some tips that will help you develop and stick to new habits.

1. Thirty-day commitment

You only need between twenty-one and thirty days to stick to a habit. This is usually the conditioning period. If you are able to go through with it, then you can sustain the habit. Four weeks are enough to commit to changing your routine and get used to the change.

2. Practice daily

If you want to master a new habit, then you have to carry it out every day. Going for several days without exercising the new habit will make it hard for you to adapt to it. For example, if you want to start working out, you must make a point of going to the gym for the first four weeks continuously.

3. Start simple

Do not take on too many new habits at a time. You may feel extremely motivated to modify every activity in your life all at once. Start small and then build upon the new habits.

4. Have a reminder

Forgetting your commitment mostly after the first two weeks is easy. Use a reminder phone application where you can record the date and time for every activity. This will help you identify missed activities and work on improving your ability to meet all deadlines.

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5. Be consistent

To effectively stick to a habit, you have to be consistent. Ensure that your new habits take place at the same time of the day and location for the next four weeks.

6. Have a friend or a coach

Get someone who will encourage you throughout this period. He or she will help you feel motivated when you are ready to quit.

7. Have a ritual

It is essential to have a ritual before you execute your habit. For example, if you are trying to quit drinking, you could get a glass of water every time you feel the urge to drink.

8. Replace old habits

If you are letting go of an old habit, it is advisable to find a replacement habit. This will help you get the same fulfillment you got from the old habit to avoid reverting to it. Instead of watching televisions, you could take a walk in the park instead.

9. Do not be frustrated

You might not achieve immediate success in all your attempts to make new habits. It could take several trials to get used to carrying out a certain routine every day. You might come across a few challenges along the way, but do not get frustrated.

10. Change your thoughts

Sometimes you may begin to have negative thoughts, make use of the word “but” to change these thoughts. Instead of concentrating on the bad thought, focus on what is good about yourself. This will help you feel reenergized.

11. Eliminate temptation

The first thirty days are critical in developing a new habit. As a result, you need to eliminate anything in your environment that will tempt you. This could include cigarettes, bottles of alcohol, junk food and do not pay for cable television. This will minimize the urge to fall back into old habits.

12. Have mentors

Be around people whose habits you want to emulate. Study has shown that people tend to copy the habits of the people they hang around with most of the times.

13. Experiment

The first four weeks should be an experiment of acquiring a new routine. Therefore, do not be so hard on yourself until this period has passed. After this experiment, you could change your perspective on approaching the new habits.

14. Swish

This technique aims at helping you come up with alternative habits in place of the old ones. You visualize yourself performing the bad habit, pushing it aside and replacing it with a good habit. From this, you will realize the kind of person you want to be and transform to engaging in positive ways.

15. Write

Just as you write down your new year resolution, you should write down the changes you want to make. Writing makes you understand the task ahead better and focus on achieving it.

16. Understand the benefits

Know the benefits of making changes in your life. Research thoroughly on why the change is beneficial. You can do this by reading books, internet searches or talking to people.

17. The pain

You should realize the impact of not making any changes in your life. Familiarizing yourself with the consequences of not letting go of old habits will keep you motivated.

18. Do it for yourself

The new change will only benefit you. The new habits should be geared to help you achieve all your goals and keep you motivated.

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