#6: Happy New Year and Habit Stacking

Photo by Daryl Baird on Unsplash 

Dearest Reader,

Happy New Year! 

As we all know, resolutions never seem to work.  We all go in with the best intentions.  Some of us last a few days, some a week, and the strong-willed may go a month. (I’m in the weak-minded 3-day camp.)  Creating significant change and making it stick is tough.

James Clear, in his New York Times bestseller, Atomic Habits, points out how micro changes in daily habits can create a huge impact. 

He suggests the reader try habit-stacking.  One takes an established habit and pairs it with a desired one to create a new, better routine.  I drink coffee every morning and want to implement an exercise routine.  I do my upper body exercises while the coffee is brewing.  My reward, when I am finished, is the coffee.  Simple.  
 
Inspired, I have also implemented habit stacking in my evening routine.  I took an enjoyable activity and stacked it with a desired one.  I'm not fond of planks, but I love playing word games on my phone, so I habit stacked.   At night I do 3 sets of one-minute planks.  To make them more palatable, I play word games on my phone while I am "planking." The benefits are trifold:  I’m building my upper body strength, my brain is being stretched, and I look forward to my evening ritual.

I hope you’ll try habit stacking and read James Clear’s book.   After all, healthy routines are definitely part of a Life Well-Lived.
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Love,
M.J.

P.S.  Do you have any habit stacking ideas?  I would LOVE to hear them!