Want to Change a Habit? Try This Easy Trick

I’m doing a video series in which I discuss the various strategies that we can use for habit-formation.

Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life, and a significant element of happiness. If we have habits that work for us, we’re much more likely to be happy, healthy, productive, and creative. My book Better Than Before describes the multiple strategies we can exploit to change our habits. To pre-order it, click here.

The Strategy of Scheduling is one of my personal favorites strategies of habit change..

The Strategies of Monitoring and Scheduling, along with the Strategies of Foundation and Accountability, are the “Pillars of Habits.” These are big, bedrock strategies.

Click the links to also read more about Power Hour and the Four Tendencies.

To read more about my Wednesday adventures with my daughter, check out Happier at Home, chapter on Parenthood.

How about you? Do you find that you stick to your habits better — especially when a habit is fairly new — if it’s actually entered into your schedule? It’s surprising to me how the simple act of making a note of something can make such a big difference.

In Better Than Before, my book about habit formation, I identify the multiple strategies that we can use to make or break our habits. The most fun strategy? Treats. My favorite chapter? The hilarious strategy of Loophole-Spotting -- I love keeping lists of the loopholes I spot. Pre-order the book here.

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Gretchen Rubin is the author of the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers,The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. She writes about happiness and habit-formation (the subject of her next book, Better Than Before) at gretchenrubin.com. Follow her here by clicking the yellow FOLLOW button, on Twitter, @gretchenrubin, on Facebook, facebook.com/GretchenRubin.

Photo: photosteve101, Flickr