How do I develop a new habit?

How do I develop a new habit?

1. Set a specific target

"Healthy food" is too vague. Set a specific goal such as "Eating 2 pieces of fruit a day." "Walking 15 minutes every day" is better than "move more."

2. Write your custom down

Write your habit down and read it every day. For example, place a post-it with your new habit on the mirror in the bathroom. 

Write down your motivation why this should become your new habit. For example: "I will walk for 15 minutes every day, because then I'll be better in my skin and happier."

3. Start with the easy version of your habit

Start with 1 minute to walk and walk 30 seconds longer every day. This makes it easier to keep up your new habit, because this is crucial especially at the beginning.

If you want to get up early, set your alarm clock one minute earlier every day, so you can keep up your new habit.

4. Involve others in your custom

If you do your new habit with someone else, it's easier to keep up and also more fun. Meet your partner to eat together or meet a friend to walk together. If you can't carry out your new habits together, it helps even if you tell others about your new custom. This will keep you more faithful to your habit, as others are aware and encouraged.

5. Find a signal for your habit

Connect your new habit to a certain time, place or company.

Some examples: walk at 7am every day, eat fish every Friday, eat fruit at work always at 10am, always take the stairs instead of the elevator, ...

6. Hang on

The previous 5 tips help you to keep up, but a portion of willpower is also required.

How long do you have to maintain your new behavior until it becomes a habit? This depends on the character and behaviour of the person and also on the situation. In some, that is after 21 days, in others 200 days.

Some tips to keep up even better: 

• - Reward yourself after you've done your custom.
• - Four every little improvement.
• -Read your motivation every day

Good luck! 

Sources:

http://www.hoedu.nl/body-spirit/personal-development/how-develop-I-a-new-habit

https://www.jobat.be/en/articles/how-long-it-to-be-a-new-tobe-toe-too-to be-toed/

https://wimannerel.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/ ordinary-coach/