5 steps to build Habit (Part-1)

motivation is what makes you start doing something, habit is what keeps you stick to it”

Habits are the compund interest of our growth in life. Its is a myth that habits are built in 21 days. Some habits can be made in days and some could take years. Recently I read the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear where he says about how building a habit needs to be ovious, attractive, easy and satisfying. The book personally helped me lot building some habits in last two months which I will be writing on part-2.

For now, here are 5 steps you should follow to build a new habit :

1. Focus on Identity rather focusing on outcome

“We are what we repeatedly do” – Aristotle

Ask yourself what will the habit turn you into? What will be your identity?

Don’t say i will play piano or I will run or I will exercise everyday, rather say I will be a pianinst or a runner or a regular student

The goal is not to play an instrument, it is to be a Musician.

The goal is not to win a marathon, it is to be a Runner.

The goal is not to pass the exam , it is be a Better Student.

When something in your life becomes a part of your identity, yout behavior naturally changes.

2. Focus on the system, not the goal

Make a system that leads you to the goal. Goals are for setting a direction but systems are best for making progress. Sit with a piece of paper and write down what will be your routine, how will be your approach to make that habit a part of your daily life?

Goals are the results you wanna achieve, system is the proccess that get to those results.

3. Be consistent

Small habits leads to big changes

Be regular. Try to progress at least 1% everyday. Take baby steps. Remember, little progress is also a progress and its way better than doing nothing. Getting 1% better each day will eventually make you 37 times better by the end of a year.

4. Create environment

Make the system easy. Decrease all the distractions that blocks you to continue your habit. Make a list off the things that keeps you away from your habit and increase friction for them

Create a fixed envoirnment. If youre trying to learn an instrument, keep it on the bed so that when ever you go to the bed it remains near you and becomes easy to practise it. If you are trying read books everyday prepare your study table and keep the book infront of you with a book marks so it can be easy for you to open the book and start reading.Mantain a fixed place for each task. It helps you to have instant focus.

You can find a partner or make a group where you can do the work with others. Writer Austin Kleon says in his book “Show Your Work” to find a “Scenius”. Scenius is a group of people where they do the something similar, copy one another, gets inpired by one another, push one another and guide one another. Finding your Scenius will keep you motivated and boosted everyday.

5. Stack habits

Combine the new habit with an existing one. Like if you are trying to build habit of reading books everyday morning, combine it with something you do everyday morning such as having a coffee, sitting on the balcony etc. Make the system in this way that after having your cup of coffee, you will read a few pages of the book or you will read a few pages everyday sitting on the balcony enjoying fresh air.

You can also make contitions. Such as if you want to build habit of practising piano lessons daily, you can make your system in a way that you will not have your lunch if you dont practise your piano lessons for half an hour or you will not go to bed before practising piano lessons for 20 or 30 minutes.

I followed these steps and it brought positive impact on my life. So I wanted to share these with you, hope it helps you too.

Thanks a lot for reading💌. Leave a comment if you liked.