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Small habits make a huge difference if you work on them daily.
As James Clear quoted in his book Atomic Habits, “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.”
The Importance of Forming Habits
As you slowly form habits by taking baby steps to work on them daily, you’ll gain massive results in your self-development by the end of the year.
And if you decide to be intentional and ruthless with your time — you can stay focused and committed to your goal. You can build self-discipline.
Say your goal is to work out regularly, at least 3-4 times weekly. But you despise working out. It’s challenging to start and a painful process to stay consistent.
And your why is to build endurance, resilience and mental strength for good health overall.
So you decide to create the habit of working out. You start small by taking on a 7-day yoga challenge, setting a timer to commit to doing yoga for 5 minutes. Short and simple, a small commitment. Totally doable, right?
And over time, you build that. You achieve that by increasing the frequency of your workouts and taking on more challenges.
A week later, you decide to do ten minutes of yoga over the next two weeks. Before you know it, you’re doing workouts you never thought you’d be able to do. You’ve switched to doing a strength and cardio challenge for half an hour each day for 30 days straight.
You’re stronger. You’re happier. You see the results. And you’re doing it every day.
The key is to start small and remind yourself why this habit is essential to build into your life. Then think of how you can make it fun! You will make time for it when you look forward to doing it. Keep track of your progress and notice the changes in your lifestyle. You will see how much you’re improving as a person, making this entire journey worthwhile.
So, How Long Does it Take to Form a Habit?
It takes 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit, according to a study in 2009 published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.
There’s no set timeline to form a habit, and it will look different for everyone. It’s a matter of the pattern and the time you’re willing to commit to it. But remember, it’s not just about the goal itself. It’s about implementing a system that works for you, which will help you build momentum. If you skip a day, no big deal. Just hop back on and keep going.
Here are three life-changing habits that are worth implementing in your life:
1. Journaling
Journaling is a therapeutic way to help you organize your thoughts, solve problems effectively, and seek clarity. According to Dr. James Pennebaker, a psychologist at the University of Texas, journaling is proven to be a great tool to help you heal. It can help boost the immune system of those with illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, asthma and arthritis.
2. Drinking Lemon Water
Drinking a warm cup of lemon water every morning on an empty stomach does wonders for your health. Lemon contains a rich source of vitamin C which boosts your immune system.
It helps flush out toxins in your body, cleanse your liver and improve your digestion.
3. Positive Affirmations
Repeating positive statements is an effective practice that helps you become aware of self-sabotaging and negative thoughts. This helps you put things into perspective and brings you to a constant state of gratitude. According to a study in 2012, self-affirmations may help us to perceive otherwise “threatening” messages with less resistance, including interventions (Logel & Cohen, 2012).
Form consistent habits with the intention of becoming a healthier and happier version of yourself. What are some fun habits you can implement into your life today?
Originally published at TalentEgg.