How To Start Routines That Stick
As we dive into the new year, a lot of us may be starting some new, healthier routines. Now that you’ve started those routines, you may be wondering what’s the best way to get them to actually stick.
Keep reading to find out some tips…
How To Start Routines That Stick
Why You Struggle to Stick With Routines…
Before we dive into how to start routines that stick, let’s focus on why you struggle to stick with routines in the first place. Here are some common reasons people struggle to stick with their routines:
You try to do too much, too soon and overwhelm yourself or burn yourself out. It’s difficult to learn something new and when you are trying to juggle learning too many things at once then it’s easy to let things slip. Interruptions and obstacles are bound to happen. When you’re trying to do too many things then you’ll be stretched too thin and the new routines are the first ones to fall.
You don’t enjoy the routine. It’s difficult to stick with something that you absolutely dread doing.
Along with not enjoying the routine, it may feel too difficult for you. This leads to the next struggle.
You let negative thoughts creep in and don’t have awareness of them. When things get tough, your mind will help encourage you to throw in the towel because we crave things that are easier. It’s helpful to recognize these signs of negativity creeping in and learn to shut them down. Don’t believe everything you think!
You don’t get started! Half the battle is actually getting started with your new routine. We often say that the most difficult part of class is getting there and it really is so true. Once you get there then it’s easier to just get it done.
How to Start Routines That Stick
We often talk about creating SMART goals. Goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Yet, have you ever thought about how many SMART goals you should make at one time? If you’re over here creating 10-20 different goals that you want to achieve then you going to be spreading yourself too thin and making it that much more difficult to achieve them all. Instead, if you focus on 1-3 goals it will help you truly focus on your goals and give you more opportunity to actually accomplish them.
It may be tempting to start the year trying to drink more water, read more books, get better sleep, improve your diet and workout everyday, however, that's a lot of things for your mind to focus on. Really narrow it down to the goals that you want to focus on first and become more comfortable with them before moving on to more goals.
Tip #1: Focus on 1-3 goals/routines you’d like to start vs too many at once.
Now that you have a focus, it’s time to bring awareness to yourself and your mindset. Are you someone who goes “all in?” Are you someone who frequently starts things only to give them up when it gets tough. Know yourself. Be aware of your negative thoughts and come up with a plan to overcome them when they appear.
Our tendency to focus on negative things and crave simpler, more familiar tasks and routines is evolutionary. Back in the day, humans who were aware that the big tiger was going to hunt them down and eat them were more likely to survive. Today, we don’t have these same worries, but that tendency to think negatively still remains. If you’re aware of that then you’ll be better prepared when it happens and how to stand up to them.
Tip #2: Bring awareness to your negative thoughts so you can overcome them.
There are some ways to overcome those negative thoughts besides just being aware of them. One way is to turn your routine/task into something you actually enjoy. Want to be more consistent with exercise? Find an exercise you enjoy or bring along a friend or family member who will help to make it fun. Want to get better at eating your vegetables? Eat your favorites! Want to drink more water? Infuse your water with fresh fruit to make it more enjoyable.
Tip #3: Make your routine more enjoyable
Other ways to start routines that stick? Grab an accountability buddy who will join you in this new routine. When you have someone to share your new routine with, it becomes more enjoyable and it’s more difficult to skip it because you have the other to hold you accountable.
Another way is to reward yourself at certain intervals for following along with the routines. Even small rewards like 30 minutes of quiet time to yourself or reading a good book are a great way to give yourself something to look forward to for completing your routine.
All of this to say that if you don’t get started that you won’t ever get routines that stick. It can sometimes be the most difficult part, but once you do then it’s easier to keep it going.
Ready to get started? Grab a free week of unlimited classes in Plymouth Meeting, Horsham or virtual!
