Creating new habits isn’t easy. Here are six simple hacks that will make it a little easier. Use them until you’ve internalized the new habit and don’t need them anymore.
If you haven’t read the first three posts in this series:
Part 1 So You Want to Start a New Habit
Part 2 Which Will See You Through, Willpower or Habits?
Part 3 Does It Really Take That Long to Create a New Habit?
Pray and ask the Lord to help you
- We often leave this until last, when it should be the first thing we do when we are trying to do anything.
- Try praying before you even get out of bed. Ask the Lord to help you remember the changes you are trying to make.
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Schedule It And Put It On The To-Do List
Sometimes we forget to do that new thing we were trying. Maybe we forget that we’re supposed to be having eggs for breakfast instead of a stack of waffles, or that we need to get that daily walk in.
- Schedule your new habits or make them part of your daily to-do list until they become something you do automatically.
Make It Public and Be Accountable
- Let family and friends know what new habits you’re trying to establish. They will call you out if you don’t stick to your plan and get you back on track.
- You may even go as far as sharing it publicly on Facebook or write a blog about your new journey. Knowing that others read it and know about it might be just enough to keep you going when you feel like throwing in the towel.
Piggyback On A Habit You Already Have
- Whenever possible, add the new habit to one you already have. For example, if you fix a cup of tea or coffee at 4pm, and you want to get in the habit of taking a daily walk, make the new ritual to go for your walk and then come back and enjoy your tea.
- It’s much easier to amend an existing habit or ritual than creating an entirely new one.
Find Encouragement in God’s Word
- Put a jar on the kitchen counter and put slips of paper in it with your favorite encouraging Bible verses. Each time you are tempted draw a piece of paper from the jar, read the verse and then meditate on it as you go about your day.
“For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.” – Psa 26:3 ESV
Find A Partner and Help Each Other Along
- Find someone with the same or similar goal. This could be a workout partner or a diet buddy.
- Keep tabs on each other and encourage each other to keep going. It’s much harder to skip a walk if you know someone else is depending on you being there.
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