8 Easy Steps to Create New Habits

Goodbye 2019, and Hello 2020! Also.... hello to resolutions that last a couple of weeks and then back to our old ways, am I right? This happens to me every year!

NOT THIS YEAR. I am determined to slay some serious goals in 2020.

Are you tired of setting a goal and then not achieving it? With a little bit of self-control and some determination, you can create a new habit that requires minimal effort to maintain. I PROMISE!! It's not hard to create a new habit - the hard part is sticking to it ALL. YEAR. LONG!

Here are 8 easy ways to create a new habit AND stick to it:

ONE BITE AT A TIME

What's the old saying? "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to create a ton of new habits at once.... or by trying to change overnight. When we focus on one habit at a time, our willpower will be channeled into that one habit, thereby increasing our chances at success. What will you focus on FIRST?

Give it 30 DAYs

Commit to at least 30 days to help your habit become automatic. Come on, I know you can do it! You watch a weekly TV show for an entire season and don't miss an episode... you can totally do this!! If you can push through that initial 30 days, you are well on your way to developing a habit that will stay with you.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

To really help your success, try micro-commitments in the midst of your larger overall commitment. What in the world does that mean??

Maybe you want to drink more water. I know I should! The recommended water intake is half your body weight in ounces each day. (Example - a 150lb. person should drink 75 oz. of water each day!) Ummmmm YIKES! I would need to build up to that large number of ounces.... since I currently drink less than 20 oz. a day. I know, I know, BAD GIRL! lol

A micro-commitment inside a larger commitment is the easiest way to make this happen. I would NOT be successful if I told myself I HAVE to drink 75 oz. or more in a single day on the very first day. I've already failed, so I QUIT!

There is an easier way!

For week one, I will commit to drinking 20 oz. or more each day. I can handle that, and I feel a small sense of success that I am meeting my goal. In week 2, my confidence to achieve goals is set and ready. This week I'll set the bar at 40 oz. a day. Week 3 is 60oz, and then week 4 (days 28-32) I'd go for 80! See what I did there?? Set a small, attainable goal each week that stretches me, but helps me earn the overall goal of drinking enough water each day. EASY PEASY! I did it in 30 days, too!

The most important part is to remain consistent even when you don’t feel like it.

DON’T LOWER YOUR DEFENSES

Change up your environment in order to keep focused, especially during the first 30 days. You may have to hide all the junk food, get a new water bottle or FINALLY clean off that tread mill. (PS - they are not meant to be a clothes rack!) Whatever you need to do, just do it!

It may help you to make to-do lists for the next day... either before you leave the office or at night before bed. This will help you start the day fresh, be prepared and anticipate the obstacles that will stand in your way.

YOU BECOME WHAT YOU SPEND TIME AROUND

Make and find relationships with individuals who model the habits that you want to mirror. Join an online community dedicated to your new habit! We have a great facebook community called The Essential Life Lounge where we focus on healthy living tips and incorporating more natural products into our lives. Bonus, you get first access to exclusive sales and specials, too!

Joining a group of like-minded people also helps develop accountability to track those efforts and share about your new goals.

REWARDS & RECOGNITION

Sound familiar? While developing your new habit, set up reward milestones along the way. You made it all week drinking the right amount of water! WAY TO GO! Reward yourself with something fun to keep you motivated to keep going. Rewards can be simple or elaborate, that's up to you... but telling yourself you WILL earn that _____ you saw at the store when you drink ___ oz for a week straight will keep you going! Or if you prefer, don't attach a material reward... an entire afternoon in a no-guilt Netflix binge is a great reward, too!

Keep in mind what your new goals/habits are and avoid anything that could cause you to backpedal on your goals... don't buy more soda if you want to drink more water! It's all about Self-control!!

No matter what, take time to celebrate those successful moments along the way!

KNOW THE BENEFITS

Become familiar with the benefits of making a change. The more you commit to making that change, the more differences you will see. Maybe you will notice a new energy level due to working out 3 times a week.... or maybe you are getting more done in a day because of your new mission to get organized.

Focus on those bonus results - it will help you to keep going and keep you moving toward your goal. Be sure to celebrate yourself!

ONLY YOU MATTER

Remember, no one else but you can accomplish your goals. Don’t give up when you have setbacks, only you can keep moving forward. When you fall down, get up, wipe the dust off and keep slaying those goals and habits.

So, what will it be? What goal or habit will you work on this year?

Instead of a traditional resolution, I am striving for taking better care of myself this year. That means a lot of different things, but it's my most important thing for this year! It will include more water and more rest first. I'm a work in progress!

Share your goal in the comments below and let's cheer each other on!! This is going to be our best year yet.

Cheers to a Happy and Healthy New Year!!

Megan