Why New Habits Never Stick

Habits can make or break you. Eating healthy may lead to more weight loss while constantly spending money can make paying bills tight. Here are 5 simple things to reconsider when you are having trouble sticking to a new habit.

You try to do too much at once.

When you implement too many changes all at once, it is less likely these new habits will stick. We lead busy lives adding on extra work even if we know we need to do it can lead to anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. It is more effective to master 1 or 2 things at a time, especially when you are just starting out. After your new skill has begun to feel like part of your routine build from there!

You give up after you miss a day.

Part of the the process of building an unshakable new habits is self reflection. Being able to honestly look back at your progress helps you to learn more about yourself and your path to success. Next time try acknowledging the slip up in a more positive light, rather than being hard on yourself. Then give yourself permission to start fresh as soon as possible.

You haven’t connected to your why.

In order for your new habit to be truly effective, you need to connect into your deeper motivations for it. Close your eyes an start to visualize your future self having mastered this new skill. How has her life changed and improved? What feeling will this habit bring you? Why is this so important to you? Do this every day to transform your life.

You haven’t scheduled them in.

It can be easy to forget, make up an excuse simply overlook a new habit. Starting out with a detailed plan will help. I recommend putting your habit right on your calendar next to doctors appointment, work and other commitments you have made. You can also block out time in your day to set aside distractions and create reminds for yourself.

They are not authentic for you.

Maybe you chose to try them out because someone else suggested it to you or told you that you should but it’s not really aligned with your authentic self. Habits are much more effective when you have an invested desire to make them happen. Link back into your why and don’t be afraid to tweak other people’s goals to make them your own!

When it comes to habits, progress over time equals results. Day to day you may feel like life is getting in the way of accomplishing your goals but with a little planning and a lot of practice your new habit will be sure to stick!