Five steps to creating a new habit

How many times have you tried to change some of your behaviours and failed miserably? Change is easier said than done and most of us will have lots of examples of things we have tried to change. Whether it was to be better with our money, lose some weight, give up smoking, spend more time with our partners or have more fun. Making a new habit doesn’t have to hinge on sheer willpower. Here are five steps that will help you make a positive new habit.

Step One – Have a reality check

Make sure what you have decided to change is something you actually want. Ask yourself: Why am I doing this?  If the answer starts with “Well, it would probably be good if I…,” or “I should maybe…,” it may be time for a rethink.  Also, for whom are you doing this?  If no one could see you and you were guaranteed not to get any recognition, gold stars, or pats on the back, would you still do it?  If you feel some misgivings rumbling in your gut, consider changing your goal to one that puts a smile on your face and butterflies (the good kind!) in your stomach.

Step Two- Make your new habit specific

Often our goals are so vague that there is no way to measure if you have achieved them let alone have clarity about what you actually need to do to achieve them. Your new habit needs to be clear, specific and measurable. For example change “I want to save money” to “I will save $300 per month”.

Step Three – Break it down into small steps

If you’re feeling anxious, reluctant, or intimidated by a task looming on the horizon, break it down into ridiculously small steps.  It doesn’t matter how small your steps get, the key is to get them to a size that you feel you can easily achieve them. Once you get going you can add more and bigger tasks and before you know it you start to reach your goals.

Step Four – Make it easy

If it’s not convenient and easy, you’re not going to stick with the change. Find ways to make it simple and easy as possible. I’ve used small stickers before to implement a new breathing habit. I placed little green stickers in a number of places like my phone, computer, car steering wheel and mirror to remind me to do my breathing exercises. It worked really well and after a month I had a created a new habit that I didn’t need to think about any more.

Step Five - Accept that at first it will be uncomfortable

The first few times you do almost anything new, it’s not going to be particularly rewarding.  Most people feel awkward and uncomfortable when they do something for the first time. Give yourself permission to get it wrong, screw it up, and do it badly.  Just keep showing up, fine-tuning your system, and see what happens.

 

Lisa Dudson is a bestselling author and Registered Financial Advisor with over 15 years industry experience. Lisa offers financial advice through www.acumen.co.nz and co-owns the New Zealand's leading property investment agency www.ifindproperty.co.nz