Next year won’t change anything until you do: 4 tips to create a new habit (that will stick).
The new year is literally a few hours away and I thought this might be the perfect time to publish this. This post is about creating the habits you want for the next year so that you (finally) smash your goals. More than setting goals, I encourage you to build systems or habits around your goals.
You will never truly achieve any of your objectives if you don’t create habits or systems to achieve them. I got the inspiration from the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. Great read if you want to include it to this year’s reading list.
First of all we have to define what a habit is. Putting it simply, a habit is just a behavior that has been repeated so many times that has become automatic. We all have habits that we have been doing for years and some others that are being created right now.
We can also point out 4 simple steps to create new ones. These 4 steps are: Make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy and make it satisfying. I’ll go a bit deeper into each one of them.
These 4 steps can work in any field whether it’s sports, politics, your job, household chores, whatever. The only thing you need to do is turn those 4 steps into questions:
1) How can I make it obvious? (The action that triggers your new habit has to be very clear for you to initiate)
2) How can I make it attractive? (You need to enjoy what you are going to do, otherwise, nothing will be accomplished)
3) How can I make it easy? (Even if we all need challenges in our lives to grow, when creating a habit it’s the last thing we want. We want it to feel easy and effortless so that we are motivated and inclined to repeat it).
4) How can I make this satisfying. (This is ultimately the reward or the outcome you desire. You can chase for a feeling here if it’s easier to visualize for you).
I hope this was useful for you and it will help you build the new habits you want for the next year. As always, if you need help with your goals for this year or just need some brainstorming about your habits, reach out to me. I am here to help and all I want for this new year is to see you thrive!
