Habits shape our lives and make a world of difference, right? But let’s be honest, getting those habits to stick can feel like trying to catch a slippery fish with your bare hands. And I know this first hand! For most of my life I struggled to stick to my habits and routines. I’d start out strong but a couple weeks in I’d lose all motivation and quit. It’s so frustrating, isn’t it? Well, fret not, my friend! In this blog post, we’re going to spill the beans on how to make habits stick like glue, so you can rock your routine and transform your life, one habit at a time.
Start Small
Don’t go biting off more than you can chew. Starting with tiny, achievable habits is the name of the game. You can even start by giving yourself credit for what you’re already doing. By starting small and acknowledging your success, you’ll build up momentum which makes it easier to make your habits stick long term!
Get Clear and Specific
No more wishy-washy habits, okay? If you want your habits to stick have to get crystal clear about what you want to achieve. Instead of saying, “I wanna exercise more,” how about nailing down the nitty-gritty? Specify the type of exercise, how long you’ll sweat it out, what time of day you’ll do it, and how often. Clear targets are like a GPS for your habits, keeping you on track and pumped up!
Use Reminders
Don’t expect yourself to remember your new habit. Instead set yourself up for success by setting alarms or leaving yourself notes. And remember to use some inspo as a reminder as well, like writing your goal every day, making a motivational quote your screen saver, or creating a vision board. It’s important to not only remind yourself to do your habit but to also remind yourself WHY it matters to you.
Stack Them
Whether you stack your habits with something you’re already doing or pair them with a guilty pleasure you’re sure to find success here. Your habits will stick better when their either associated with something you’re already doing or something you love to do. For example, if you want to read more, why not snuggle up with a book for 15 minutes before bedtime? Love reality TV, try watching your favorite guilty pleasure while on the treadmill or meal prepping (this is a personal fave). Linking your desired habit to something you’re already doing or look forward to makes it easier to keep up the good work.
Get Support
Don’t go it alone! Share your goals and progress with others who have your back! While you can certainly find support from a friend or family member, I’ve always found I’m more successful with a community. Being surrounded by others who are also working on their goals, habits, and routines is far more motivating. Plus, I don’t know about you but my real life people aren’t the best at holding me accountable (especially if they are struggling too). Surrounding yourself with people who are on the same habit-building adventure keeps the fire burning, inspires you, and holds you accountable. Teamwork makes the habit dream work! If you’re looking for an awesome community that comes with tons of support and even professional guidance, be sure to check out my Inner Circle to see if a membership is right for you.
Get Curious
Hey, nobody’s perfect! Slip-ups and setbacks are part of the journey. Expect them, embrace them, and learn from them. Rather than calling yourself a failure (and worse) and throwing in the towel get curious about why you stumbled, make adjustments if necessary, and get back on that habit horse. Remember, it’s all about self-discovery, resilience, and growing from the hiccups. You’ve got this!
Celebrate Your Wins
Track your progress using The Routinely App and celebrate your wins (even the tiny ones)! Research shows that when we feel successful we are far more motivated to stick to our habits. This is because that feeling of accomplishment comes with a heaping helping of dopamine (the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation). So, scientifically speaking, celebrating your wins actually leads to more winning! Seeing your progress mapped out in front of you gives you a sweet taste of victory which makes it much easier to stick to your habits.
Get Started
What are you waiting for? Get started on that new habit or recommit to the one you’ve been struggling with. Share your habit in the comments!
