It is often said that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in anything. This means that it will take at least 10,000 hours of practice or effort to form a new habit. However, many people make the common mistake of trying to form a new habit too quickly.
If you want to form a new habit, the first thing you need to do is identify the reason why you want to change your behavior. Once you know what motivates you, it will be easier to find the motivation to keep going when things get tough. Next, set realistic goals for yourself and make sure that you are able to see how you can achieve them. Finally, create a plan of action and stick to it!
If you make any of the following mistakes when trying to form a new habit, it is likely that your habit will not succeed:
1) Focusing on the wrong reasons for wanting to change your behavior. Instead of focusing on why you want to change your behavior, try focusing on why your current behavior is unacceptable or harmful. This will help you develop more effective motivation and ensure that your goals are achievable.
2) Trying to change your whole lifestyle all at once. It is much more effective and sustainable to gradually introduce changes into your lifestyle one by one in order to avoid resistance and build momentum. If changing your entire lifestyle seems like too much work or pressure, start with small changes such as eating healthier foods instead of junk food or going for a walk instead of watching TV every night.
3) Giving up too soon. If you find yourself struggling with making any progress towards achieving your goal, don’t give up! Persevere through difficult moments by using positive reinforcement such as rewarding yourself after each successful step in overcoming resistance. For example, if you commit yourself every day to eat healthier food but end up eating unhealthy foods twice a week, reward yourself with healthy meals on those days where you followed through with your plan despite temptation.
