What were your new year’s resolutions entering 2020?
If you’re like most people, your list probably included at least one of the following:
- Lose weight.
- Get back in shape.
- Eat healthier.
- Be less stressed.
- Get more sleep.
- Spend more quality time with your family.
- Get out of debt, save more.
- Read more.
- Learn something new.
- Find a better job.
- Get organized.
And if you’re like most people, your resolutions have been long forgotten.
Why?
Because we are creatures of habit, and when faced with a choice between inertia and change, we stay at rest and stick to our normal routines.
Not everyone (we all know those type A personalities), but most people.
Resolutions are easy. Change is hard.
So how do we enact real, positive change?
Make a habit of it.
Break down larger goals into smaller incremental changes that you can realistically achieve on a daily basis:
- Want to eat healthier? Start by adding fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Want to get in better shape? Start by walking around the block, then a few blocks, and go from there.
- Want to get more organized? Start with making your bed and cleaning your room.
- Want to read more books? Start by reading 10 minutes each night before bed.
It all sounds so simple but it’s anything but, which is why we need more than just habits.
We need accountability – to ourselves, and to others. For that, something I’ve found extremely helpful is keeping a habit diary.
For each of us the diary will look different but here’s an example of what one might look like…
By writing down your small positive habits you are more likely to do them. Better yet, if you tell your friends and family about your diary, you will not want to let them down. And even better than that, they may join you and start their own self-improvement journey.
There are many things in life that are frustratingly beyond our control. Learning to ignore these things and focus instead on positive habits that you can control is deeply empowering.
The satisfaction you will have from checking off a list of positive things that are helping you improve each day is a reward unto itself.
Don’t wait another minute.
Print out the sheet below.
Write it down and make a habit of it.
I promise it will change your life for the better.
If you want to do something, make a habit of it.” – Epictetus
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