3 Hacks to Make Your New Routine Stick
We’ve all heard the importance of routine. The hard part is how to get it to stick. Let me lead with, routines are hard. Days look different and life can throw us for a loop. These tips are for the days that stay on the relatively normal track, the days that are like the ones before. On these days, I’ve tried numerous ways to get new things into my routine and have them stick and I’ve found there are three strategies that always work for me.
MAKE IT COZY
One of my dear friends and yoga instructors uses this word all the time. She loves to make things cozy. She’s on to something. Whenever you are trying to add something new into your routine in order to make it stick, I highly suggest you make it cozy. Right now, you’re asking yourself what the heck is she talking about. Let me explain. Let’s say you are trying to drink more water and you know this needs to be a daily commitment, meaning taking the initiative to adding it into your routine. If you already know this is going to be hard for you find ways to make it cozy, as in put it into your favorite glass or add some flavor to it … cucumbers, lemon, strawberries, etc. Make it fun, something you enjoy, make it cozy. This way the probability of it sticking in your routine is much greater. Personally, I like warm water with a dash of lemon and honey in my favorite coffee mug! That’s how I make it cozy! Try it, it’s fantastic and not to mention GOOD FOR YOU!
USE A COUNTDOWN
I am a BIG FAN of using a dry erase marker on the mirror, not to mention I’m an avid list checker. Crossing things off makes me feel like I’ve conquered the day. Whenever I am trying to add something new to my routine, I use a dry erase marker on the mirror, write out a title for my new routine at the top and then the numbers one through ten down the left side like I’m numbering notebook paper. Each day I find space for this somewhere in the day, I cross out the that number and feel like a boss. (Insert virtual high five here!) As the days continue, I continue the process and almost always whatever I am trying to add into my daily routine has found a spot in the day it likes and a pattern starts to emerge around day five or so. This is the point it’s beginning to stick. By day ten you know you can do it. If you’re good to go, then GREAT! If not, I suggest adding more numbers and continuing the process as all new things usually take at least twenty-one days to become a habit. Keep goin’ girl! You got this!
PINPOINT IT’S PLACE
Going back to the example of adding drinking more water into your daily routine, pinpoint it’s place. For example, I’ve heard one podcast say if this is your goal try drinking a full glass of water while your coffee is brewing! Great tip! Don’t let that be the only place you add it in. Your goal is to drink more, so don’t stop there. Find other places in your day when you can get it in. If you’re at work try getting in a full glass on the half hour every hour if the sipping throughout the day thing isn’t doing the trick for you. Certain events or certain times throughout the day will serve as great reminders to get your water in. Take a look at the things you do daily and pinpoint the place to take in that full glass, preferably eight places. Pinpointing has been a great strategy for me when adding new things into my daily routine, and I can’t wait to hear how it works for you. (If you haven’t already, join our exclusive FB community group to share your experience!)
Adding something into your daily routine can be hard. You’re mixing up the flow, so be gentle with yourself in that first week or two. Try it out, make adjustments and then count it as your new normal. Just setting the goal is a WIN all in itself and I’M PROUD OF YOU. Keep it up and use some of these tips to make that routine stick. You got this!
Virtual Hugs,
Jess
