So you’ve made your resolutions for the New Year (and if you haven’t, check out: How to Make New Year’s Resolutions That Make You Happy), now how do you keep them?
The best way I’ve found to keep my resolutions is to create new habits that support my intentions. 2 years ago, my intention was to spend more time in nature, and over the past 2 years I have developed a habit of taking my doggie Rafa out for a walk in the morning. And over the past year, I added on to the habit by practicing Tai Chi under the trees at the end of our walk.
Last year I wanted to find a way to restore myself in the afternoons, since I was getting so tired after lunch. So I created a new habit of not doing work on the computer in the early afternoon hours, but doing work instead that had me moving around or talking to people. This took a little bit of experimentation to see what would work best, since I thought I needed to rest, when I really needed something more active during those hours.
It doesn’t matter what your resolution or intention is, you can create your own personal habit to support it!
So how do you develop a new habit? According to Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit”, you are more likely to stick with a habit if you choose a specific cue and a clear reward. So if you want to start a new exercise routine for example, the cue might be to go running as soon as you get home from work, and the reward might be to watch your favorite TV show afterwards.
Start with something simple, so it feels really doable. And focus on developing one habit at a time. It usually takes at least 30 days to form a new habit, so give it some time.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with what works best for you – there isn’t one solution that works for everyone!
Think of your intentions for this coming year. What new habit can you create that will support your intention?
Manuela loves helping professional women bring more balance, happiness and success into their lives! Visit Manuela’s Website for Professional Life Coaching and check our her upcoming 5-week “Fall in Love with Yourself – Fall in Love with Your Life” workshop!