How to set and stick to a new habit.
Have you ever set a goal, but not know where to start? Even after breaking down the goal into steps, it still felt too overwhelming to begin? Well, now it’s time to create small daily habits. They could be so small that they don’t seem related to your goal, but in the end, it will all come together to accomplish your goal - and perhaps, start you on your journey of new healthy habits.
A habit is a small decision you make and action you take daily. 40% of your day is made up of habits, you may not even realise it. We all brush our teeth everyday, right?
For example, your goal is to gain 15lbs of muscle. One step towards this goal is an increase of protein in your diet; eating 1g of protein per lbs of body weight every single day. Whether you plan all your meals for the week in one day or plan daily what you’ll consume for each meal that day, planning ahead will keep you organized. But, you could take it a step further and add the task of meal prep to your week. So, maybe on Sundays you start to prepare meals in individual containers so you know how much protein you’re consuming daily without having to think about it. This small habit will set you up for success in the future. Then you’ll be able to create more habits surrounding different aspects of your goal and you’ll reach it sooner.
Tips to create and continue a habit:
Start VERY small - you’re more likely to stick to a habit that is so small that it doesn't require much effort or thought. Build confidence in something that you can easily accomplish before trying something more demanding.
Increase the demand of your habits very slowly - 1% a day increases faster than you think. Your willpower and motivation will improve over time, so you'll become more confident in your abilities. Soon, writing a grocery list can progress to prepping lunches for the week.
Avoid the “All or Nothing” mentality - Everyone misses a day, rest days are important. Plan for potential obstacles that may disrupt your habits, work around them and prepare for recovery
