How to create habits that serve you

Advice on creating new habits is usually the number one research topic in January, and despite 2020 being somewhat of a time warp, I can assure you that you have not missed out on New Year’s Eve celebrations (yet). I recently came across a saying, “habits start as cobwebs and end up as chains,” which inspired me to reflect on the elements that contribute to turning new habits into lasting ones.

These are the six factors I identified as the major variables in creating lasting habits, regardless of whether they are career or personal habits:

1) Motivation
2) Goals
3) Support
4) Accountability
5) Endurance
6) Celebration

1. Motivation

How likely we are to create or break a habit hugely depends on motivation and where that motivation stems from, whether it is fear-based or rooted in supportive energies. An example of a fear-based or catabolic motivator might be responding to your boss’ demands instantaneously out of angst of getting fired. This type of habit will not leave you with a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment.

On the other hand, if your motivation comes from a place of supportive, anabolic energy, you are much more likely to succeed. As an example, you could have a thirst for knowledge and learning, and going back to school to obtain an additional degree or certification puts you in a much more favorable position for a promotion at work.

Or maybe you are motivated to pay it forward, because you feel abundantly blessed to have come this far in your career and you create or join a group of females supporting other females in the workplace (or whatever your niche might be).

2. Goals

If you work in the corporate world, the acronym SMART probably does not need to be spelled out for you, but to level-set everyone SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based. Most organizations utilize SMART goals as part of the annual performance objective setting.

For many people, goal setting is a daunting task. They might aim too high or too low. The important factor is to break down the goals into small, actionable steps that are entirely doable.

3. Support

Regardless of your goal, or what it is that you are going through, rest assured that you are not alone. At work, you can partner with your manager, your peers, a mentor or the Human Resources function. Outside of work, you have your personal network of family and friends. In addition, there are many other support groups.

In building my own business as a career coach and blogger, I have come across numerous groups on Facebook. The members are more than happy to share insights and experiences that help you shorten the learning curve.

4. Accountability

“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it” (Peter Drucker). So, how are you going to track your progress? Who is going to hold you accountable and how?

When I am cultivating a new habit, I use an accountability tracker. It states my goal in an inspirational way, which reinforces my motivation. Then I check it off every single day with a symbol that indicates the accomplishment of my goal.

On a personal note, with this method I successfully changed my eating habits to eating clean and established a regular yoga practice. I am also utilizing this tool with my coaching clients, one of whom recently sent me a picture of hers. She uses hearts for every day she honors her goal. It made my heart beam to see her level of accountability and the joy she was deriving from it.

5. Endurance

Studies have shown that in order for a new habit to last, you have to stick with it for at least 66 days. It takes more than two months to cultivate change. It is normal to face setbacks and have doubts about achieving your goal. But don’t give up! Stick with it. I assure you it will be worth it.

6. Celebration

Here comes the best part – you made it! All of the little steps you took led to accomplishing your goal and successfully establishing a new habit that serves you. Pop the cork, literally or figuratively, and pat yourself on the back.

HOWEVER, even though celebrating is listed as step six, I highly recommend visualizing that celebration from the beginning and throughout the process. It will be your vibration of that visualization that will empower you to manifest it, and that will make it all worthwhile.

I hope that you utilize this roadmap on how to create a habit that supports you. Please share your successes when you celebrate. If you need help along the way from a career coach, please contact me.

Good luck!