Start a New Habit Today That Sticks!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this month! The new year is not the only time to make resolutions to up your game. Continuous improvement is key to our effectiveness at MAX, at home, in your faith, anywhere.

One of my favorite podcasts around the topic of leadership is the monthly Craig Groschel Leadership Podcast. Below are the highlights of Craig’s January 20 message titled 3 Secrets to Starting New Habits That Stick.

Having goals is critical to success. However, goals don’t entirely determine success. Sound and consistent habits make success happen. In fact, over 40% of what we do on a daily basis results from our learned and practiced habits....good and bad.

Our approach to exercise, relationships, prayer, work, leadership...is driven by our habits. Let’s be sure we have great ones driving us toward the person we want to be! How do you develop habits that actually stick and not fall away after a few weeks? Try these three tips:

1. Make it Small: A small, continuous movement that keeps you in motion is much more effective than a large, inconsistent shift.

Pick just one habit to focus on for the remainder of 2022. Make it an important one that helps you move toward who you want to be. Whether it is eliminating a food from your diet, writing a note of gratitude daily, walking that extra mile or listening to a leadership podcast each week, keep it simple, consistent and attainable.

2. Make it Obvious: If you want to change what you do, change what you see. Keep a trigger to your new habit right in front of you. Want to write a note a day? Keep a notepad by your laptop. How about walking that extra mile? Put in on your calendar. That newest podcast? Turn on the notification for an automatic reminder to receive the newest episode. What we see in front of us gets done!

3. Make it Automatic: Have your new habit become second nature. Examples ... After I get up in the morning, I will exercise for 20 minutes. After every meeting, I will create a recap of notes. After my cup of coffee each day, I will drink three cups of water. Make your habit part of your daily routine to make it stick.

I encourage you to take the remainder of the year to develop one positive, consistent habit. Tell a spouse, friend, coworker and ask them to hold you accountable to sticking with it.

Then plan for another in 2023 to add to it! Remember, you are successful when you have the right habits. Those habits will go a long way in determining your outcomes and ultimate success in all aspects of your life!

Tom.