New habits should be introduced gradually, not five at once. Taken one at a time, they take root far more easily and far faster.
How do you form new habits?
Our life is made of the things we do regularly.
Our habits either take us to a new level, or we drift (sometimes sprint) into decline.
The two most useful books I know on building habits are:
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Both trace an important idea.
New habits should be introduced gradually, not by taking on five new ones at once.
For example, it’s worth first training yourself to do exercises and stretching in the morning; and once that’s automatic, moving on to, say, reading for 20 minutes a day.
Habits we build one after another take root far more easily and far faster than when we “decide to start a new life on Monday” and immediately try to change our daily routine in seven directions at once.
Right now I’m training myself to eat at the table rather than in front of a screen, and not to eat after 10pm. Later that line will gradually move to 8pm.
Are there habits in your life you’re trying to build right now?