How to Create New Habits in Three Simple Steps

If you've not read Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," you should. 

The book has a lot more useful information than this post is going to (I mean, over 25 million copies have been sold...) but I'd like to share a few tips on how to create new habits in your life.

1. Decide what habits you'd like to create
Maybe you made some New Year's Resolutions.  Maybe you didn't and you should.  I am a very goal oriented person so each year I set goals.  Remember, a good goal is specific and realistic.  These habits are more of details you want to add to your life; the road to a goal, if you will.  For instance, maybe your goal is to drink more water.  A habit to achieve that then is to decide how much you need and pour it into a water bottle each morning.

2. Pick one and stick to it
For a certain length of time (I'd say no less than three days), decide to focus on something.  Post a notecard up in a place you know you'll see every day to remind yourself.  Make sure it's somewhere that makes sense, as well.  Back to our water example, on the cabinet door or near the sink would be good.

 3. Repeat
Once you've established a habit (you do it without really thinking about it), pick the next one.

We've also used this method with therapy techniques and food goals and it works well to focus on one thing at a time.  It also prevents you from getting overwhelmed and giving up!