Real Health / How to Make Good Habits Stick and Achieve Your Goals

How to Make Good Habits Stick and Achieve Your Goals

August 13, 2024 Dr Livingood

In the hectic world we live in, achieving our goals and maintaining good habits can often seem like a daunting task.

We set ambitious targets, create detailed plans, and muster up motivation, only to find ourselves falling short of our aspirations.

The key to success lies in making systems, not goals, and focusing on the power of one percent.

How do you stick to habits and goals? Here are tips to build a habit that actually sticks.

1. The Significance of Small Wins

Let me introduce you to the one percent principle: the idea that small daily wins, when practiced consistently, lead to significant outcomes.

It’s about making a series of one-percent improvements every day.

Whether you want to lose weight, improve your financial situation, or build a successful career, the key is to focus on the small, manageable steps that, over time, accumulate into substantial progress.

Let’s look further at how to build a habit and how positive habits can help you achieve a goal.

2. Creating Momentum with Consistency

Newton’s first law of motion, which states that an object in motion stays in motion, clearly applies to human behavior.

When we create momentum in our lives by consistently taking small, positive actions, we build a force that propels us toward our goals.

It’s important to remember that getting into motion is simpler than it seems; it starts with those one-percent improvements.

So when you ask yourself, “How do you build good habits and stick to them?” consider these tips for building good habits.

By taking what others do occasionally and doing it consistently, we pave the way for significant breakthroughs.

3. Making Desired Actions Obvious

One of the most practical pieces of advice to keep in mind is the importance of making desired actions obvious.

Putting your goals right in front of you serves as a constant reminder and increases the likelihood of following through.

Whether it’s taking vitamins, drinking more water, or exercising regularly, placing these actions in plain sight removes the excuse of forgetfulness.

By creating visual cues like sticky note reminders and strategically placing items like water bottles, you set yourself up for success.

4. Turning Preparation into Automatic Habits

Developing lasting habits requires preparation, consistency, and repetition.

I urge you to integrate your desired actions seamlessly into your daily routine.

For example, going to bed in workout clothes or setting up workout videos in advance simplifies the process of starting an exercise routine.

Similarly, prepping healthy meals in advance reduces the temptation of unhealthy food choices.

The key is to make these habits automatic, a process that might take 30, 60, or even 90 days of consistent effort.

5. Overcoming Unmotivated Ruts

Now, I do recognize that everyone faces unmotivated ruts from time to time.

In response, I have prepared a separate video guide to help you navigate these challenging periods.

By acknowledging the struggle and providing practical strategies, the video serves as a lifeline for those feeling stuck, reminding them that change is possible with consistent, small efforts.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of One Percent

In a world where instant gratification often overshadows the value of gradual progress, this message of step-by-step improvement is refreshingly powerful.

Embracing the power of one percent allows us to break down overwhelming goals into manageable tasks.

By focusing on the small, consistent improvements we can make each day, we not only achieve our goals but also cultivate habits that stick.

Remember, it’s not about grand gestures or momentary motivation; it’s about the persistent, daily commitment to improving by just one percent.

By implementing the strategies outlined here — creating momentum, making actions obvious, and overcoming unmotivated ruts — we can transform our lives, one small step at a time.

So, what will your one percent be today?

Make it obvious, make it consistent, and watch as your sticky habits lead you to extraordinary achievements.

For more tips on how to make health simple and change your lifestyle one step at a time, check out my free book!

If you want to find a community of people who are working to improve their own well-being, read more articles like this one, and access delicious recipes, visit my website.

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