We all know how difficult it is to stick to certain resolutions. We often want to get into some habits, but end up saying to ourselves “I will run every day”, “I will stop smoking”, and “I will sign up for a swimming pool and go to it regularly”.

In the beginning, we stick to the resolution, because it is something fresh, new and inspiring. But then what? Well, it depends.

Usually, we find excuses that keep us away from continuing with what we may have planned a few days ago.

How to form a habit

So what should be done to effectively and permanently develop a habit?

1. Firstly, we need to understand why we want to develop the habit.
2. Secondly, we need to establish a routine that includes the new habit.
3. Finally, we need to persist with the new habit until it becomes part of our everyday routine.

Trying to establish a new habit can feel like an uphill battle. We’ve all been there — telling ourselves we’re going to start flossing every day or working out three times a week, and yet somehow we just can’t seem to stick with it.

One way to increase the likelihood of success is to commit to a 30-day trial period.

During this month-long experiment, we allow ourselves to be flexible and forgiving. If we miss a day here or there, that’s okay. The important thing is that we keep trying.

At the end of the month, we can evaluate our progress and decide whether or not to continue with the new habit. This approach can take the pressure off and help us to form lasting habits that benefit our life quality in the long run.

Why do people fail?

The reason why people usually fail to continue a new habit is that making such a big change in their lives is a big nut to crack. Introducing something new overnight and deciding that it will be a part of our lives from tomorrow can seem a little overwhelming, especially as we are still used to the old habit.

30-day trial method

However, when we decide that it will only be a trial for 30 days and nothing else, this impression disappears. Choose to exercise for half an hour each day for the next 30 days. Only one month, then you can stop with a clear conscience and lie on the couch all day. Make sure that you will not turn on the TV for 30 days. After this period, you can sit in front of the screen all day without feeling guilty. It’s only a month, you can do it.

This approach makes getting into a habit much easier. What’s more, after a few days it will be much easier for you to continue the planned activities, because you only have to do them for a month. You can even count down the days you have left.

Of course, you still need a little determination to stick to the habit through this month, but it will be much easier for you than when it came to a big and permanent change. And when 30 days have passed, what next?

1. During this period, you will have time to develop this habit permanently. You will get used to the new routine and it will be normal for you for example to work out at the gym the next day as well.
2. If the goal was to break a habit — for these 30 days you will get used to it. A month without TV will make you no longer return to it as eagerly as you did at the beginning. You will get rid of the old habit.
3. 30 days of success is a great motivation and a big boost of self-confidence to continue the habit. After this time, you will be able to see what it gives you. You will know if this is really something worth doing next. You will be able to predict what the effects will be, how you will stick to the new habit.

So remember not to make a permanent change when you plan to develop a new habit. Decide on a 30-day trial and think that after this period you will give up this habit. It is somewhat important that you do not plan this for more than 30 days now. You are not setting to change your whole life. You are trialling the other version of it, for now.

This concept is about making it easy to get started and get to the point where the habit has already taken root in you. Then it’s all downhill — if you decide that a habit is valuable, it will be much easier for you to keep it with you.

Useful tips for developing new habits

• Use the gained time. If you want to get rid of a habit, such as watching TV or smoking, always plan something in return. If you were just bored while you were always watching TV, you would probably get back to that activity soon. Plan something instead.
• Declare also among friends. Tell your family and friends about a new habit you want to develop. A public declaration is a powerful motivator.
• Imagine the success. During the first few days, take a few minutes a day to imagine what it will be like once you develop a new habit. Visualize what you look like, what your life is like, and how your friends praise you. Feel what you will feel, how you will succeed. This will be a strong source of motivation at the beginning of the entire process.
• One habit at a time. You may think 30 days is a lot for just one shift, but testing two or three habits over the same period is much more difficult. You may find that you won’t have any of them after a month.
• Write it on paper. Take a pen and write exactly what your new habit should be. Such a declaration is much stronger than the declaration just in your head. Remember that the description of the habit should be accurate.

I developed a lot of habits this way. Okay, not a lot, but a few that matter.

From stopping watching TV, through planning the next day every day, to writing content on a daily basis.

Now it’s your turn. Declare in the comments what kind of habit you want to develop, and after 30 days let me know how you are doing!

Here are some suggestions for a 30-day trial:

• start getting up earlier,
• start going to sleep earlier,
• do not hit the snooze button,
• do not log into one social platform (I personally targetted Facebook),
• stop watching TV,
• read half an hour a day,
• reduce internet use by half,
• start going to the swimming pool or gym,
• run every morning (or any other time),
• quit smoking,
• quit drinking alcohol,
• spend half an hour a day developing your interests,
• learn 10 new words in a foreign language every day,
• stop saying sorry.

So, if you want to pick up a new habit in the next thirty days, be sure to start small and give yourself lots of feedback. Make it something that’s easy for you to do so you can stick with it, and make sure you have fun with it!

And most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way. Have you tried developing different habits before? What worked for you — or didn’t work? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Blogs are not written by MNC Staff.

Original article can be found here: https://betterhumans.pub/how-to-pick-up-a-habit-in-30-days-841a6929f918