Creating sustainable habits

I love helping people develop new habits. Creating new habits is one thing but sticking with them is a whole other thing.

One of the questions that comes up for my clients most often is, how do you actually create a sustainable habit?

The short answer is, you figure out what you’re willing to do and then you do the thing.

It sounds simple. And, essentially, it is. But we are human beings and so we tend to complicate things. 😂

When we begin to create new habits we often look to other people for solutions. While there is nothing wrong with looking to others for inspiration, what helps one person be successful may not necessarily help you. For example, they may do things that you know you are not willing to do.

A client of mine wanted to get more activity in during her day. She said a colleague was going for a run on their lunch break and had invited her to come along.

It sounded like a great idea; the only problem, my client told me that she hates running. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 That is clearly not going to be a sustainable habit!

It doesn’t matter how good someone’s suggestion or idea is, if you don’t like it you won’t do it.

When I asked my client what she does like to do she mentioned walking. She figured out that she and her colleague could lace up their shoes at the same time, for accountability, and then she would go for a walk while her colleague went for a run. This was a great solution that she implemented the very next day.

Once you know what you’ll do, and you start doing it, the next step is consistency. The more often you do the thing, the easier it gets.

Showing up everyday, even if it’s for 10 minutes, is better than showing up once or twice a week for an hour. Over time your habit may change and morph but it will also become routine. It’s like brushing your teeth; you won’t have to think about it, you’ll just do it.

To recap, figure out what you will do, start doing it, and be consistent. That’s how sustainable habits are formed.

It really can be that simple. You just have to get started. As Harry S Truman says, “Imperfect action is better than perfect inaction.”

Here’s to your action my friends! If you feel so inclined, let me know in the comments what that action is going to be!