Developing new habits can be a challenging process, but it doesn’t have to be. One effective way to make habit-building easier is by integrating your new habit into the natural flow of your daily routine. This approach is called “habit stacking,” and it can be a powerful tool in your arsenal for developing lasting habits.
The key to habit stacking is tying your new habit to something you already do every day. By piggybacking on an existing habit, you can use the momentum of that behavior to trigger the next desired action, which is the habit you’re trying to form. This way, you can take advantage of the natural flow of your life to make building new habits more manageable.
The Power of Concrete Plans: Why Habits Fail Without a Clear Path Forward
Contrary to popular belief, the reason why people often fail to develop new habits is not due to a lack of motivation or willpower. Instead, it’s usually a lack of a concrete plan of action. This is where habit stacking comes in – it provides you with clear direction on when and how to act on your new habit. When combined with the “Two-Minute Rule,” which suggests that new habits should take no longer than two minutes to start, you have a recipe for success.
To apply the habit stacking strategy, fill in the blanks below:
- A) After I do [current habit], I will add [new habit] immediately after.
- B) After I do [current habit] at [specify a time when you’ll perform your habit], I will add [new habit] immediately after.
By using this approach, you provide yourself with a specific plan for when, where, and how to execute a new habit. This not only inspires action by removing practical barriers, but it also reduces the need to ask yourself questions like “Should I or shouldn’t I do it?” “How will I do it?” or “When will I do it?”
Let’s say you want to build the habit of brushing your teeth before bed. Here’s how you could implement the habit stacking strategy:
After I [go to the bathroom before climbing into bed], I will [put toothpaste on my brush and brush my teeth].
This habit stack makes it clear that as soon as you finish using the bathroom, you will immediately brush your teeth. By associating the new habit with an existing one, you create a natural trigger for the behavior you want to develop.
What do you think?
Developing new habits doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using the habit stacking strategy and the Two-Minute Rule, you can make the habit-building process more manageable and increase your chances of success. Through creating a specific plan for when and how to execute a new habit, you remove practical barriers and reduce decision fatigue. So, the next time you want to build a new habit, remember to piggyback on an existing one and use habit stacking to your advantage. With a little bit of planning and determination, you can achieve your goals and create lasting positive change in your life. To learn more about how habit stacking can be used in real-life situations, check out this blog post: Habit Stacking: How I Piggyback on One Habit to Build Another (with 7 real-life examples).
What new habit are you looking to develop, and how can you use the habit stacking technique to make it easier to achieve? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
