3 Easy Steps to a New Habit

Neal Antigua

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Jan 18, 2017 · 2 min read

So the goal is to create a new habit, right? Read on and I’ll share the most important things I’ve come to learn about creating new habits. Along the way, I’ve seen that the main concern are: making sure that habits stick and how soon before it becomes second nature.

Self development guru Brian Tracy says this about the matter…

“The time period can be any length from a single second to several years. The speed of new habit pattern development is largely determined by the intensity of the emotion that accompanies the decision to begin acting in a particular way.”

When I read this, it shed me new light, it allowed me to cut through the heart of the matter. The heart of the matter lies in the answer of these two questions:

1. Why do we look to create new habits?
2. Why we fail to have habits stick?

These two questions are intertwined at the core. The answer to one, helps to answer the second one. Question no. 1 Why do we look to create new habits? It’s a question of “what’s REASON, PURPOSE of this new habit?” The reason/purpose will serve as motivation thus giving endurance to push through the hard times. But if there’s no real motivation, in all likelihood habit won’t stick.

Honestly the only thing we really need to a new is MOTIVATION/DRIVE, without it we are not going anywhere. But the inner workings of a motivated mind when creating a new habit goes like this:

1. Make a Decision: New goals are usually catalysts to new habits. Goals and habits typically go hand in hand. For example if we want to lose weight, then we look to develop the habit of exercising and changing our eating regimen. Decide what you are looking to accomplish and what will it take to get there.
2. Make no Exceptions: You’ve made a decision. Now stick to your guns. Tune out the outside noise and keep hacking at it. Resist the temptation. Feeling discouraged? Remember the why to keep you moving along.
3. Reward (Positive reinforcement): Determine key milestones along the way to reward yourself and keep you motivated throughout the process.

Remember that…

“Habits are nothing but single steps to reaching one’s final destination”

So what you think? What have you done to pick up a new habit? Have you failed at sticking with a habit, if so, how? If you liked please share to with your friends and colleagues.