When you take on a new habit or routine, it always feels like an exciting challenge in the beginning. Then, reality sets in. The day-to-day effort feels more taxing, and the motivation wanes. You don’t feel like it anymore. How do you make it easier to consistently follow through?
Consider:
- Choose a predictable time:
- Ask yourself: When is it most convenient for me to do this? What time, day, and circumstance is easiest to consistently follow through? Choose a time and a place with no interruptions.
- Verbalize the plan to yourself or write it down: “every Monday, I call my Grandmother on my way home from work.”
- Create a predictable routine:
- Create a ritual of actions around the new change that you repeat.
- For reading, choose one or two things to do immediately before you read each day, so that you first do X, Y and then read. For example, eat breakfast, make tea, then read.
- Schedule it before a desired, much-anticipated activity:
- Do it right before something that you look forward to each day–like your morning coffee or afternoon snack.
- Verbalize or write down the plan for yourself: “Every day after work I do _______, then have my snack.”