Choosing Habits That Work For You

Choosing Habits That Work For You
Photo by Drew Beamer / Unsplash

When you're busy creating new habits to improve your life, remember that you can have a new habit for each area of your life. You do not have to be restricted to just healthy habits or just regular daily habits. There are many different types of habits that be of great benefit. 

Where are You Falling Behind?

Before creating your first new habit, think of where in your life losing ground. This does not mean you're an outright failure. Just look for an area of your life where you don’t focus as much attention. Most people have at least one. 

This might mean you work hard but neglect your health. Or you eat very healthy, but you have trouble saving money. Maybe you do not get enough sleep because you are always distracted at night. This can tell you what areas need improving first before moving on to other habits.

Another way to figure out where your new habits should start is based on what you tend to complain about. Think about the last time you complained to someone or yourself about what isn’t going your way, or what isn’t working in your life. Do you complain that you are always late to work? What about the fact that your bills are late or your clothes don't fit? Are you frustrated because you never have enough time to get everything done? These are good signs of where your habits should start.

Choosing your new habits

Remember that even if you come up with a list of new habits to form in your life, you still want to start with just one at a time. Even if you have 5 small habits all for the same end result, you want to start with just one of them before moving on to the next.

How do you know it is time to develop a new habit? When the last one you created is something you do not even have to think about anymore. That is when you know you are ready for the next habit.

Choosing Your New Habits
Remember that even if you come up with a list of new habits to form in your life, you still want to start with just one at a time. Even if you have five small habits all aiming for the same end result, you should start with just one of them before moving on to the next.

How do you know it's time to develop a new habit? When the last one you created is something you don’t even have to think about anymore. That is when you know you are ready for the next habit.

Everyone has habits each day of their life, even if you don’t realize it. They aren’t always something you constantly think about. It might be your cup of coffee in the morning or the way you drive to work. What you want to do now is create new habits that will further improve your health and your life.

Both of my daughters struggle with forming positive habits, and we have struggled for a long time to change those bad habits as well. I think one of the reasons my oldest has issues with it is because she gives up too fast. Habits take a few weeks or even a few months to form. Give yourself time and patience when forming new habits.