Habits are the Path to a Better You!

I love the hope that a new year brings. The hope of becoming a better version of myself. The hope of creating the life that I dream of living.  

For many years I have set a long list of new years goals and struggled to stay on track for more than a couple weeks. The truth is, it is very hard to make that many changes all at once.

For most people setting and sticking to 10 goals is unrealistic and will leave you feeling defeated. Over the past years, I have found that it was time for a new approach.

Our daily habits can either serve us and better our life or they can sabotage us and decrease our success. 

Creating good habits and breaking bad habits is ultimately what is going to help us succeed in accomplishing our goals.

My focus has shifted, and I have realized that it is through my habits that goals are truly accomplished.

Mastering the art of building habits is what will help us reach our goals and become the person we are dreaming of becoming.

It can be difficult to start a new habit, in fact, many studies show that it takes 21 days for a habit to stick.

Here are a few tips on how you can build good habits and achieve your goals in 2023.

HOW TO BUILD GOOD HABITS

WHAT IS YOUR WHY?

What is your reason behind creating a certain habit? 

If the only reason you are trying to drink more water is because you hear everyone say you should, it may be hard for you to create that habit.

Get specific on the reason that you are incorporating this new habit. 

Maybe you are doing it because you know that it hydrates your skin, helps with digestion, and aids in weight control.

When you identify the true reason you would like to build a habit, you are more likely to see success.

START SMALL

Trying to stick to a long list of goals all at once is unrealistic and can lead you to believe that you have failed and can not change. I have been there. 

In moments of great motivation, we get carried away with how many habits we think we can instantly change. The truth is, habit change takes time.

I suggest starting small and building from there.

In 2023 I have a goal to spend more time outside with my kids. 

Currently, we are terrible at spending time outside. Our busy schedule and the cold weather make it hard for us to go out each day. 

I am not going to set a goal to go outside for an hour each day.

As great as that sounds that will be unrealistic for us at this time.

I do want to create a habit of spending more time outside when we can.

I need to start small and build from there.

I generally go on a run 3 mornings a week.

I will already be up and ready for outside.

I can come home, get my kids breakfast and get them ready to spend some time outside in our yard on those three days for 10-30 minutes before we have to do our house chores and prepare for me to work. 

Eventually, I would like them to spend more time outside and we are going to work toward more time outside, but going from nothing to a full hour each day is too much. 

In February I can look at my goals again, evaluate the habits that I have created, and stack more habits onto those.

I know we are all looking for results and we want to see the results FAST! It is better to chip away slowly than to feel overwhelmed with too much at one time and give up. Trust in the slow and steady process!

Break down your goals into habits you need to create and tackle only a few at a time.

HABIT STACKING

In a book called “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, he introduces the idea of habit stacking. It is easier to create a habit when you add it to something that you are already doing consistently. 

For example, if you already have a habit of brushing your teeth each morning and would like you to create a habit of reading 10 affirmations to start your day then you could choose to read those affirmations while you are in the bathroom brushing your teeth. 

For several years I have wanted to create a habit of writing three things that I am grateful for each day.

I have tried to create this habit many times! I already had a solid habit of exercising every morning.

I decided that I would always do my gratitude journaling before I started my exercise.

For over a year I have rarely missed a morning of gratitude journaling.

I have now filled a notebook and a half with my gratitude.

AVOID THE ALL-OR-NOTHING MINDSET

This may be the most difficult step. If you fall down you don’t stay on the ground forever, you get back up and keep walking.

Then why, when we trip up and don’t stick to a new goal or habit do we completely give up? 

Give yourself grace and then try again tomorrow or even that same day!

If you have a goal to get 10k steps every day and you do not complete that goal one day you have not failed! Get back on the train the next day and keep going. 

You do not need to be perfect to see results.

You just need to constantly be TRYING to move in the right direction. 

IMAGINE SUCCESS

I like to imagine what it would be like if I do accomplish my goals.

What it would be like to become the type of person I am aiming to be. 

I served a church mission in a foreign country for a year and a half.

There were many difficult days. It was hard to be away from my family and dedicate all of my time to learning a language and finding people to teach.

When things got hard I imagined what I could become through my service and what it would be like to return to my family proud of the things that I had accomplished.

When I make daily choices I ask myself if it is in line with the person that I am trying to become. 

I have a vision for my success and am excited to make the choices that help me become that person.

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE

Change is not always easy and it will take some sacrifice. Find a way that you can use to hold yourself accountable. 

You can add your new habits to your to-do list, create a habit tracker, find an accountability partner, or create an event in your calendar. 

Whatever you do make sure it works for you!

I am taking on clients for health coaching and would love to work with you as we start this new year.

If you are interested in individual health coaching and working with me to accomplish your 2023 goals then you can reach out to me at alli@thrivewithalli.com or DM me on my Instagram.

The new year can be an exciting time. It feels good to have a promise of a new start and hope of a better life. 

I wish you all success this year as you learn to create habits that will help you become the best version of yourself.

Written by Alli Jones