Five Keys to Establishing a New Habit

Wouldn't it be nice if new habits were easy? Alas, it requires some work on your part. But understanding the keys to forming a new habit  can make it easier and increase your chances of success! Let's say I've worked with you to put a system in place for dealing with papers, so they don't pile up on your kitchen table. We've created a filing system for paper storage, and assigned specific "homes" for papers you need to act on, incoming mail to be opened, coupons, magazines, etc.

Forming the habit of using the system requires a conscious DECISION to make this change in your life. Think about how nice it will be to have the kitchen table clear and neat. You won't have to clear it off to eat dinner on it!

It requires AWARENESS when you automatically go to put papers on the table (your old habit) instead of making that extra effort to put them in their new proper places. It's easy to drop things in the most convenient place, unaware that we're even doing it. But try to catch yourself so you can break that bad habit.

Of course it's more convenient to dump them on the table, but you've got to DISCIPLINE yourself to put the papers away rather than dumping them on the table. In this way, you're replacing a bad habit with a better one.

If you can be disciplined with CONSISTENCY, you're well on your way to forming the habit. This means using your new system even on the days when you're really tired or stressed.

And it takes TIME (specifically 21 to 28 days, depending on the source) to perform the new habit consistently to result in it becoming automatic. The good news is that once your new habit is automatic, it's much easier to maintain, and requires much less energy, awareness, and discipline.

Copyright 2008 by Cara Kinning, ORGANIZED FOR LIFE

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Organized for Life      www.organizedforlifeonline.com     (804) 330-0997