I’ve read somewhere that we become what we repeatedly do. And I agree, but full disclosure, I have habits that I’m proud of, and there are those that I want to get away from. But, as we all know about bad habits, sometimes they’re just so hard to break. Habits can be good or bad. Whether it’s the food we love, the exercises we do, the way we drive, how we spend our weekends, or retail therapy, if it’s something you do routinely, then it’s a habit.
To change something in your life means incorporating habits into your routines. Sometimes it’s to change direction in your
There’s a 21/90 rule claiming that to make a new habit, it takes 21 days, and for it to be a permanent lifestyle change will take 90 days. You have to be committed to these changes. According to research, about 40% of daily activities are performed daily by people in quite similar settings and situations. In a session at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention, Wendy Wood said that “We find patterns of behavior that allow us to reach goals. We repeat what works, and when actions are repeated in a stable context, we form associations between cues and response.”
Unlearning bad habits and learning new ones is essential because change is inevitable. It happens at the home, workplace, school, and digital space. Cultivating new habitual behaviors is required towards a new lifestyle, better, healthier, and more meaningful. The process can be tedious, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are what I do; personally, that helps me cultivate good habits.
How Can We Cultivate Good Habits
Be clear and focused with what you want.
Before doing anything, know what you want, your goals, your end game. Be clear of what you want to change in your life, 
Is it to lose weight? Be physically stronger? Be mentally healthier? When your mind is all set on a goal, it’s easier to follow through with your planned changes. Be goal-oriented, and making decisions will be easier.
Use motivating rewards.
Changing habits can be daunting. Create a rewards system that will keep you motivated. Make sure that the rewards will not steer you away from progress. In other words, it should still be aligned with your ultimate goal. One example is rewarding yourself with lovely athletic wear if you’re able to maintain your exercise stats for two weeks. It is helpful, especially if you’re into a pretty workout outfit. It’s a simple reward that indeed makes you more motivated to work out.
Start simple.
The secret to getting ahead is getting started even in small increments. Taking the smallest steps in the direction you want is enough to say that you’re on the right track and who knows, it ends up being the most significant step in your lifetime. For example, to have a healthier eating habits, you can start with changing your breakfast routine by having fresh fruits.
Trust the process.
Cultivating new habits is a process, and that process is as important as your final goal. Hold your vision and trust the process. It’s essential to be patient with yourself as you go through every step of the change. Stay consistent in your faith that you can get through it, and things will work out the way they’re supposed to be.
Get rid of temptations.
Be mindful of what you surround yourself with. If you want to curb your spending habits, get rid of online shopping apps,
Get an accountability partner.
Tell someone who you trust so much, someone who will help you be accountable for your actions. They can give you extra motivation because knowing that your goals is acknowledged by someone else will push you to be consistent. Posting your plan somewhere also helps in getting accountable.
Tracking Your Progress
Knowing how you’re faring in your goals or new habits helps inconsistency. Keeping track of your progress means being purposeful. Whether they’re small or big wins, track it. When you see your results, you’re giving more meaning to what you’re doing, and it also gives you an insight into the value you’re adding to your life.
Good Habits to Cultivate
Read more.
Reading helps you have a new perspective of the world, regardless of the genre. Before sleeping or during your downtime, keep a book on your bedside table or your bag. Choose a book that resonates with your interest so it would be easy to build your reading habit. You can start to create a habit that instead of picking up your phone to mindlessly scroll, you instead pick up a book and enjoy some nice pages.
Eat a balanced diet.
Make some changes to your eating habits. Eat more organic food and make sure you’re drinking enough water. Even drinking a glass of water with breakfast, lunch, and dinner is a great way to make a simple change. You can check with a nutritionist to see which diet works for you best. Even if you’re not ready to take a massive leap yet, just be gentle with yourself and opt for small changes like adding more meat and leafy greens to your diet and avoiding sugar or any nasties that might make you feel worse.
Exercise regularly.
Take some time to exercise in your daily life. It is massively beneficial to your mental health and helps in having a better sleeping pattern. The first step towards a healthy lifestyle is to just get out there and get going. Whether you go for a five minute walk or a ten mile run, you will be making a massive difference in your life. Even five minutes of yoga or gentle breathing is a great way to create a healthy habit.
Establish a positive mental attitude.
Establishing a positive mental attitude is extra important in every aspect of your life, especially when it comes to creating positive habits. Developing a positive mental attitude
Embrace change.
Change always happens, it’s part of life, but of course, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy to embrace some of those changes. Since the future is uncertain, make sure to learn how to adapt so you’d be able to add value to your life and the community.
Take time.
Prioritize yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so spend some time yourself and do what makes you happy. You need to take time to really invest in YOU. If you need a little more time to start or more time to get going, don’t panic! Everyone has different timelines and not everyones life looks the same. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself plenty of time to make changes.
Take time to create positive habits in your life.
Cultivating new habits is part of self-care. To keep you motivated, just remember that you’re doing it because you want to have a better life. While it may seem hard at first, you need to have some faith in yourself, implement the tips above in your daily routine, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a habitually better life!
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