Want to build positive habits that stick and ditch the bad ones? If so, then buckle up, ditch the “all or nothing” mentality, and apply these 12 tips for a 2024 habit overhaul!
Bucking Bad Habits (5 Methods)
Out with the old, in with the bold! Here are five ways to kick pesky habits to the curb:
Identify Triggers: What pushes you towards the habit? Feeling stressed? Bored? Understanding the “whys” helps you avoid the trap.
Replace, Don’t Erase: Swap the bad with a good! Craving sugar? Try a piece of fruit instead. Scrolling mindlessly? Read a few pages of a book.
Make it Invisible: Out of sight, out of mind! Hide tempting objects, unsubscribe from emails, and avoid trigger zones.
Track Your Progress: Use a tracker, BYB planner, or app to visualize your success. Seeing those green checkmarks fuels your motivation.
Keep in mind that breaking habits is a marathon, not a sprint. Be gentle with yourself, learn from setbacks, and celebrate every victory, no matter how small. You’ve got this!
Forming New Habits (7 Methods)
Replace the bad with the good. Here’s how. First, ditch the “all or nothing” mindset! Building lasting habits is about small, consistent steps.
Start Tiny: Aim for “5 minutes of reading” instead of “become a bookworm.” Small and positive changes are easier to start and maintain, and small wins add up!
Stack Habits: Tie your new action to an existing one or group. Brush teeth? Do 5 squats. Coffee break? Meditate for 2 minutes.
Use Routines: Create some daily and weekly routines/rituals for yourself (this is a great way to stack habits). Do you have a morning routine? Evening routine? Lunch routine? Fitness routine? Weekly planning ritual (pre-week planning)? What routines or rituals can you use? Start simple.
Track Your Progress: Chart your journey, even with simple checkmarks, to boost motivation and shows how far you’ve come. It’s okay to have setbacks too. If helpful, use a BYB Planner for weekly and daily rituals, tracking, and progress. Use the “monthly reflections” in the planner to review and plan your habit tracking.
Forgive Slip-Ups: Don’t let one stumble derail you. Dust yourself off and recommit. Remember, progress, not perfection, is key.
Bonus: Find a buddy! Partnering up adds accountability and makes the journey more fun.
Wrapping Up
Remember, lasting change takes time. Be patient, be kind to yourself, and enjoy the process of becoming the best version of you. You can win the marathon of breaking bad habits and creating new ones. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins, big or small! You got this!
“In a nutshell, your health, wealth, happiness, fitness, and success depend on your habits.” – Joanna Jast
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