Making permanent changes ... one habit at a time.

I always get excited when I decide to make a change.  I can't wait to get started and one good idea sparks another. Before I know it I am trying to change multiple habits at once.  For example, if I want to lose weight I might decide to; eat breakfast every day, walk for 30 minutes 4 times a week, cutout all sugar, count calories and journal daily. In my excitement, all of the items seem very doable, but a therapist friend of mine explains that people have much better success if they focus on changing just one habit at a time.  I did some additional research online and find a common theme... if you really want to make a change that lasts, focus on one behavior/habit at a time.  Once the first habit has a foothold you can add another.

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Making permanent changes ... one habit at a time. 

•  Pick only one new habit to focus on each week.  
• Give yourself a real chance at success. Don't add a new habit until you are feeling successful with the first one... if it take 2-3 weeks per habit, that's OK.  
• Once you are ready, add the next habit... but don't stop working on the first one until it is ingrained (at least 2 months.)    In this manner, you could form 26+  real, lasting habit changes each year.
• Don't overwhelm yourself. Limit the total number of active habits you are working on to 3-5 at any one time.

•  Record your efforts.
• Logging your progress will help you succeed.  Track your efforts daily for at least a month.  This is an easy way to keep yourself accountable. The longer consciously work on making or breaking a habit, the better your chances at a long term success.   Some common ways to track your progress include journalism, making notes on a calendar or using a online tool or mobile app.

•  Reward your success. 
• Set a reward for yourself when you reach the 21 day & 60 day mark.  There is a saying that it takes 21 days to create a new habit  however, newer studies report that it is more like 60 days.  Either way I say reward yourself!  Setting a reward can help provide motivation to keep you going after the excitement wears off.
  

When doing this research, I was excited to realize that in just one year, I could make (or break) dozens of habits.  This concept sounds very doable and I think it could be life changing for me. -metoday