7 tips for you to create (and maintain) new habits in your life

Whenever a year begins, we tend to make goals and plans to change habits and leave behind everything that causes us some kind of damage, right?

The problem is that this excitement is short-lived and, over time, our list of goals, dreams and goals gets forgotten, dusty. Are you going to say this never happened to you?

The truth is that this exercise of thinking about the current habits that harm us and planning the creation of new ones is really hard work. This type of activity requires dedication and honesty, in addition to, of course, emotional intelligence, to be able to recognize our mistakes, understand that it is normal not to be perfect at everything, and discover that it is possible to improve.

A bad habit that is difficult to break, for example, is smoking. In this case, we are dealing with a product that affects our brain directly and, whenever abstinence occurs, makes us leave any trace of goodwill aside.

The example of cigarettes helps us to see when a habit is bad and, in addition, makes us realize that it is normal not to be able to quit the habit on the first attempt. Let’s say the goal is to switch from cigarettes to the gym – let’s face it: it’s not that easy, and the important thing is that you don’t blame yourself for it and don’t give up. Here are some valuable tips for those who want to create and maintain new habits:

1. What are your motives?

It’s that thing: self-assessment is an absolutely healthy exercise, but it doesn’t come naturally. The tip for those who are not yet used to looking inside their own desires is to look at yourself as if you were a friend of yours and, from there, ask questions and seek answers.

If the habit you want to create is to take daily walks around your neighborhood, for example, identify the reasons that lead you to want this (health, give your mind some air, improve blood circulation, sunbathe) and start thinking in the habit of walking as something that is already part of your life.

2. Take the 21 day test

It is normal for you to take a while to get used to something new, after all you are a human being, not a robot. Before you throw in the towel and get discouraged, decide to hang on for 21 days. It’s been proven that this is the time your body and brain need to get used to something new and even to let go of an old habit. Faith, strength, focus on the 21 days.

3. Take notes

A nice thing is to use notes to remember the important points of the habit you are creating. If it’s something that has a specific time to be done, like watching your city’s midday newspaper and getting more information, write that time in your calendar, on a calendar or in your cell phone’s notepad – whichever is longer. easy for you.

4. Identify reinforcement habits

Our habits exist and persevere because they are usually linked to other habits, so it’s nice to look for activities that relate. If the idea is to get into the habit of going to the gym, also get into the habit of organizing a playlist of upbeat songs to listen to while on the treadmill. One thing always leads to another.

5. Seek to anticipate setbacks

Prepare yourself for what can go wrong and always think of a plan B. What would you do if, while building the habit of walking around your neighborhood daily, there was a rainy season?

6. Keep control

When you control your activities, you are actually holding yourself accountable, and this is important in terms of motivation. In the case of the first 21 days, how about marking on the calendar which days went as planned? When we turn our progress into something visual, we get the urge to keep progressing.

7. Always improve

It is important to seek to improve, even when the habit is already fully implemented in your life. Give constant attention to what you do as a hobby, for professional development or to take care of your health, for example. Don’t just be content with doing what you really wanted to do, but look for stimuli to innovate and improve more and more.