Link Your Habits

You are probably like me and only have 24 hours in your day.  I have a lot I want to get done, so I'm always working on adjusting my habits.  I'm adding new habits to achieve new goals and removing habits that no longer serve me or are not as high of a priority.  I wish I could say this is really easy to do.  I wish I could just decide on my habits and the next day, all of my habits would be fully aligned with my goals and easy to do. 

 Actually, I struggle to remember new habits, don't have enough time to do them, and they seem to always be out of order or setup so it takes a lot of effort to complete them or inconvenient.  I work from home now, but I remember when I use to drive into work, my morning routine was like clockwork!  I could do 15 things within an hour and be out the door every day on time.  The routine was fine-tuned, so I could accomplish it in my sleep.  Which I did most mornings! 

 That morning routine was great, but I could only include the basic tasks to keep it short.  That is why my current routine has become much more complicated.  I want to include things I didn't have time for in the past.  Things like meditation, a healing session, walking, Tai Chi, writing and the list goes on and on.  So I have been working for several weeks to refine my routines.  Making changes until I can create a well-defined plan. 

 I recently found a new strategy that has been very helpful and I wanted to share it.  Link your habits!  I have some habits that are very strong and I always do.  Other habits I really want to include, but I always forget them or just decide I don't really feel like doing it right now.  I'll start tomorrow etc... My new trick is if you have a new habit that you would like to start, review your strong habits and see if you could do the new habit at the same time or before/after the strong habit.  I find that it makes new habits much easier to remember and easier to do. 

 For example, I'm not a regular tea drinker, but I have a new healthy tea that I believe will make a big difference in my health.  I always forget to make the tea.  I have good intentions, but the day gets away from me.  The day is gone and I didn't make the tea.  So I linked the new habit (drinking the tea), with a strong habit.  Twice a day I spend time reviewing and researching information to be used in chats, blogs and articles.  I never forget.  I always do it.  So, I have a new "rule" make the tea and then drink it while doing the research.  Works great!  Now I'm looking for other similar opportunities. 

 If you are interested in how to create strong routines, healthy habits, along with many examples and additional tricks, join my Gold Tier on Patron for the details.