When we look at our goals, we often forget that it’s a series of actions that lead to those goals.
Meaning, if I have a goal of losing weight, that’s great, but I still need to exercise, eat healthy, etc.
What we know is that those actions are a series of habits.
The large majority (upwards of 90% depending on who you ask) of our actions are driven by habits.
Our drive to work is a habit…
Our sitting on the couch after dinner is a habit…
If we do anything long enough, for enough repetitions, it becomes a habit.
So, in order to make true, lasting change, we need to change our habits.
Much easier said than done, right?
Well, in his book Atomic Habits (highly recommend), James Clear outlines 4-step to creating a good habit.
Step one: Make it obvious.
That would be the example of putting your vitamins next to your toothbrush is brushing your teeth is already a habit.
That would be putting your workout clothes in your gym bag next to your car keys so you take them to work with you.
The first step is to stack a new habit with an existing habit and design the environment to make the good habit happen.
Step two: Make it attractive
This is where you pair this new habit you’re trying to build with an an existing habit you already enjoy.
That might be stretching while you watch your favorite TV show at night.
The TV show is the habit, you enjoy it, and you’re stacking it with stretching.
I get to watch my favorite TV show is I stretch during it.
He also eludes to in this step joining a culture where the habit is the normal.
That’s why joining a gym like Spurling is so powerful.
You walk in, it’s your own journey, but everyone there is working out, the energy is contagious, and so it comes a habit.
Step three: Make it easy.
This is where you try to reduce as much friction as possible, have as few steps as possible.
This could be going to the gym right after work instead of going home first then coming back out.
This could be preparing your meals ahead of time so the steps that night to cook are less.
Automation fits into this category as well.
If you’re trying to make a good financial habit, you can automate your savings or your investing.
The easier the better, and that usually just takes some prep work for the environment.
Step four: Make it satisfying
It has to be worth it, right?
Maybe you give yourself a small reward after you complete the habit.
This is also where “don’t break the chain” comes in.
Keep track of your habit, something as simple as a daily box to check, and it’s extremely motivating and satisfying to not miss a day.
That’s it.
Simple?
Yes.
Easy?
No.
However, use this four-step frame work as you start to look at your goals this year and determine what habits you need to create in order to hit those goals.
If you need help with it just reply and let us know…
1% Better.
Dedicated to Your Success,
Doug Spurling