Did you know that establishing good habits is vital for your level of well-being and success in life? In fact, researchers at Duke University have found out that 40% of your daily behaviour depends on what you repeatedly do. So, if you want to be happier and more successful, it is important to build good habits. Here is our selection of useful tips on how you can get started.
Why Breaking Bad Habits Does Not Work
A lot of people know they need to break numerous bad habits but they seem to be unable to do so. If you can relate to this, know that you are not alone. Research shows that it is hard to give up on a habit because trying to stop doing something makes you think about it even more. This is why experts actually recommend focusing on cultivating better habits. Good habits are any habits that increase your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness without having negative side effects.
How to Develop a Good Habit?
If you are curious about building positive habits, then do not rely on motivation and willpower. Yes, you can “get yourself motivated” to start a new habit. However, this will not help you sustain it. This is so because we only have access to a limited amount of willpower on a daily basis.
On the other hand, it is very helpful to break big habits into smaller ones. This will allow you to be more flexible and will increase your chances of sticking with the habit in the long run.
Next, keep in mind that “slow and steady” is the best strategy when it comes to progress. Instead of setting unrealistic expectations you cannot sustain, start small. Make sure your initial goals are easy to attain and then increase them in very small ways.
Additional Tips and Tricks on How to Build Good Habits
Human beings are driven by pain and pleasure. This means that we all want to run away from unpleasant situations. At the same time, it feels tempting to pursue what brings us joy and happiness.
The good news is that you can use these tendencies in your favor. How? For instance, it can be very effective to utilize the power of rewards.
To do so, choose something that you would like to do or get. Then set the intention to purchase or experience it once you have managed to cultivate a good habit. Take note that it takes between 30 and 90 days to build good habits. Yet, rewarding yourself once you have completed your habit goal will bring you even more satisfaction.
Last, but not least, do not give up if you happen to slip. Avoid being too harsh on yourself. Instead, simply recommit to starting once again and celebrate your willingness to build good habits against all the odds.
