How To Create Habits & Stick To Them in 2021
Tags: Personal Development, Personal Finance, Habits, Personal Growth, Productivity

Stay efficient and motivated!

1. Keep it simple 🍎

When starting out, don’t be over motivated! It’s easy to write down 10 habits you want to follow, but it’s not as easy to stick to them. Start with one, and when you feel comfortable, add up more. This way, you will make sure that you don’t give up right away!

2. Keep it short 🕑

This may sound ridiculous, but stick with us. Let’s say your goal is to meditate one hour daily. Make it five minutes in the beginning. Some days, you will feel like having enough after those five minutes — and other days you’ll feel like exceeding your limit. When you are just starting out with building a habit, all that matters is that you took a small chunk of your time towards your goal.

3. Don’t compare 🏃🏼‍♂️

Everyone has their own pace! You might be great in running 10K with no sweat, but learning a new language is a pain for you. We’re all unique and good in something else, so don’t expect to be an athlete after one run, or speak fluent French after one lesson!

4. Find a companion 👫

You don’t have to do this on your own! Find a friend that’s going to support you no matter what. There are so many ways to do it: the best is to create positive habits together. If your friend would like to help you, but doesn’t want to take up a new habit — just ask them nicely to notify you from time to time. Small check-up always helps! Whatever you do, don’t try to keep all your habits to yourself. Don’t be ashamed and don’t keep secrets! Letting people know what you’re aiming for will make you feel more committed.

5. Focus on the future & Think long term 🙇🏽‍♀️🙇‍♂️

Visualize your future when you master the habits and work towards it. Don’t compare your progress from yesterday, but compare your progress from weeks, months or years. Take notes of how you feel. Take pictures of what you look like. Take videos of how you speak the language.

6. Create a plan for the day 📆

The easiest way to complete a habit is to incorporate it into your calendar before it even starts! Do you want to work out? Wake up earlier with an intention. Or create an evening slot in your calendar. Have it in your daily to-do list. Don’t randomize it, make it strategic.

7. Limit distractions ✨

Make it easy for you and limit the necessary steps you have to do or think about. If you want to study in the morning, clean your desk in the evening. Prepare a neat and productive place, so nothing keeps you back from starting. It also helps to follow the same place — same time routine. If you’re not completing your habit from home (eg. using the gym for working out) — prepare everything you need next to your door, so your only responsibility is to grab it and leave.

8. Celebrate success 🎉

While it’s nice to stick with your goals, don’t be too harsh on yourself and always celebrate small victories! These celebrations will help you look forward to something nice after working hard. Whether it’s a meal in the restaurant, a day off or a day in nature, any small reward that makes you happy is good!

9. Make it stick 👩🏼‍🔬

Did you know that it takes up to one month for you to get used to a new habit? All right, everyone’s different. It may take you two weeks or two months, but one thing’s for sure… it will get easier with time. Pretend you’re a scientist! Create your own experiment and measure how long it took you to make the habit automatic.

10. Don’t break the chain ⛓

Using a productive app for your daily habits will allow you to see your streak! The unwritten rule of habit following is that you’re more likely to complete another day, if your streak is already high. So go to work & see the numbers grow!

We wish you a successful 2021! 🥂

Your Spendee Team