Form Long-Lasting Habits that Better Your Life With 10 Potent Tips
Written by Michelle Ong | September 8, 2024 | Growth
Forming long-lasting habits that truly stick is a challenge many of us face. We’ve all had moments of wanting to build better habits—like eating healthier, exercising regularly, or staying organized—but despite our best efforts, they often fade away. In this blog post, I’ll share effective strategies to help you cultivate habits that last, ultimately contributing to a more fulfilling and improved life.
Master Your Time
Time is limited, so I’ve learned to boost my productivity by using techniques like time blocking, task batching, and avoiding multitasking.
For example, I dedicate specific time slots for morning stretches, learning Japanese, and evening runs, ensuring each habit gets the attention it deserves without overwhelming myself. This approach reduces mental strain and prevents the productivity pitfalls of constant task switching. These methods streamline my day, making it easier to complete tasks and reducing procrastination.
For more on effective time management techniques, check it out here.
Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
I’ve learned the hard way that biting off more than I can chew can derail my efforts to build lasting habits. When I first started crafting routines for myself, I scheduled multiple new habits back to back, with hardly any breaks in between, hoping to develop them all at once. But consistently adhering to these routines quickly became overwhelming, and I ended up giving up on many of them. Now, I focus on making small, manageable changes, and included regular breaks in between tasks, which helps me stay consistent and actually achieve my goals.
Design Intentional Behavioral Cues
One strategy that’s worked wonders for me is pairing new habits with existing ones—something I discovered through my own experimentation and later reinforced when I read BJ Fogg’s book, Tiny Habits. For instance, I do a quick 10-minute Japanese learning session right after turning on my laptop each morning. This routine action acts as a natural trigger, making it easier to stick to the new habit until it becomes second nature. Fogg’s approach of using ingrained daily behaviors to prompt new habits is something I can personally vouch for. If you’re looking to make lasting changes in your routine, I highly recommend his book.
Build Routines
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
John C. Maxwell
Building routines has been key to forming lasting habits in my life, setting the tone for a positive and productive day. Whether it’s starting the day by planning my to-do list or ending it with yoga and meditation before bed, these routines anchor my day and help me stay on track. Over time, sticking to these routines consistently has turned them into habits, making productivity and effectiveness second nature.
Check out this post here for helpful tips on how to build routines that work for you.
The First Step
The hardest part for me is often just getting started, especially on tasks that feel daunting. To make it easier, I’ve introduced small, simple actions into my routine that integrate seamlessly with my lifestyle. These actions are so convenient that they almost happen automatically. For example, I might pair a difficult task I want to make a habit—like writing a blog post daily—with something I already do, like having my morning vitamin C drink. The vitamin C drink becomes a behavioral cue to start writing, making it easier to cultivate the habit.
On days when I’m battling procrastination and low motivation, I lower the bar even further. I make the action so simple that it’s impossible not to do, like writing just one sentence or opening the document I need to work on. By keeping the habit alive, even in its smallest form, I maintain consistency, which is key to making the habit stick.
Your Environment Matters
Another tip that’s been effective for me is intentionally designing my environment to instill lasting habits. For instance, I keep my workspace clutter-free to minimize distractions and schedule specific times to check emails, which prevents constant interruptions. If you struggle with doom scrolling or aimless web browsing, consider using apps that time your usage or block distracting websites. These strategies can help you stay focused and create a supportive environment that makes it easier to build habits that stick.
For practical steps on breaking bad habits, check out this post.
Employ Discipline
“It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.”
Tony Robbins
Discipline is what keeps me on track and helps me finish tasks efficiently. Cultivating discipline means staying committed to a task from start to finish, even when things get tough. Building this habit takes time, but it’s worth it because it strengthens my focus and boosts my confidence in tackling challenges. With discipline, I find it easier to stay effective at work and accomplish what I set out to do.
Be sure to check out these related posts for more strategies on building self-discipline and focus.
Review & Learn
Regular review and learning are crucial for understanding why some habits stick while others don’t. I’ve found that reflecting on what works and what doesn’t helps me tweak my approach and improve my habit-building efforts. Engaging in continuous learning—whether through reading books, taking courses, or learning from experts—boosts my self-awareness and helps me refine my habits. By staying open to new insights and adjusting as needed, I can develop effective habits and let go of those that aren’t working.
Make It Fun
Making the process of developing habits fun and enjoyable is crucial for long-term success. I find that incorporating elements I genuinely enjoy makes the journey more engaging. For instance, when I wanted to establish a regular exercise routine, I chose activities I loved, like hiking or walking. I also rewarded myself with something I looked forward to, such as watching an episode of my favorite anime, treating myself to a favorite snack, or enjoying a refreshing drink. By blending habits with enjoyable activities, I stay motivated and make the process feel less like a chore and more like a rewarding experience.
What Is The Root Cause
Reading BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits gave me valuable insights into why work effectiveness can suffer. I learned that it’s not just about motivation or having behavioral cues; sometimes, it’s simply about lacking the ability to complete a task. For instance, if I keep missing deadlines, it might not always be due to a lack of motivation or reminders. It could be that more urgent tasks are taking over my time and attention.
Taking a step back to analyze the root cause of these issues can be eye-opening. For example, if urgent emails are constantly interrupting my report writing, I might need to schedule specific times for both tasks. By doing this, I can better manage my priorities and boost my productivity.
Check out the Pinterest pins below for other related posts.
Final Word
As you work on forming long-lasting habits to improve your life, remember that progress takes time and persistence. If you haven’t started yet, now is the perfect moment to take that first step. For those who are struggling, don’t be discouraged—every small effort counts. Keep pushing forward, stay patient with yourself, and celebrate each milestone along the way. Your commitment to building these habits will pay off, making a meaningful difference in your life.
Check out this earlier post where I explore why we often struggle with motivation and laziness. It will help you better apply the habit-forming tips shared here.
If you found this article helpful, do like and share it with people who can benefit from it!
