How to Change Your Habits and Build for Success

January, and the new year in general, tend to be times when people reevaluate their lives, set new goals, and vow to change habits they've harbored for years.

Negative habits can be easy to fall into and seem almost impossible to break. Luckily, this isn't the case. It is entirely possible to break old habits and form new, more productive ones. It just takes a little know-how and a lot of work.

This post will take you through what you need to do in order to reorganize your life, take control of your actions—conscious and subconscious, and form lasting habits for success.

How Long Does It Take to Change Habits?

There are differing opinions about how—and how long it takes—to change a habit. As more and more research is carried out into the human brain and how it works, we are beginning to better understand the psychology of habits and how they are formed.

Conventional wisdom used to tell us that it takes around 21 days to form a new habit. However, more recent research now suggests that it actually takes around 2 months. Sixty-six days, to be precise.

Of course, different habits may take longer to form, and one person may be far quicker to pick up habits than the next, but, on average, the consensus seems to be that habit formation takes time and patience.

Tips for Successful Habit Formation

So, aside from time, what is the secret to habit formation? There are certain things you can do to help you form habits more easily—and to help them stick.

Self-awareness and accountability are two things that are absolutely vital for proper habit control and formation. To stop yourself from slipping back into old habits, and to help you to form new ones, you must be aware and engaged with all your actions.

It can be a good idea to keep a detailed diary of your day. You can use this to read back on and identify any behavioral patterns you may otherwise have missed. Once you realize the specific situations that prompt certain actions, it will be easier to alter your behavior when these situations arise in the future.

Another important component of habit formation? Consistency. Many experts agree that in order to truly change a habit, you need to practice it each and every day. This is the fastest and most surefire route to true habit control. Successfully change your daily habits and you can change your life.

Habits for a Better Life

Now you know how to change your habits, you must decide what kinds of new habits you want to form. There are several actions you can institute into your daily life that will set you up for success.

• Practice visualization
• Eat more mindfully
• Set stricter boundaries
• Create a morning routine

Your Future Is in Your Hands

Are you ready to take control of your life and set yourself up for success? If you truly want to change habits in your life that are holding you back, Live Life Driven can help. Get in touch today to take the first step toward unlocking your true potential.