Every year, many of us attempt to form new habits in the form of New Year’s resolutions, but we find ourselves struggling to incorporate the new behavior or routine. In fact, at some point, we abandon our efforts altogether when we fail to get traction.
Before you tackle your next attempt of forming a new habit, try the concept of Habit Stacking. This process involves “stacking” a new behavior on top of an old habit. In other words, you build a new routine by anchoring a new novel habit with an existing activity that you perform every day. For example, if my goal is to stop checking my email first thing in the morning, and I habitually eat breakfast every morning. I will plan to only check email once I’ve sat down to have my morning cup of coffee after I start my day.
If I’m attempting to drink more water in the day, and I habitually brush my teeth every morning, I will “stack” drinking 8 ounces of water before I brush my teeth every morning.
The concept of Habit Stacking is a great way to set yourself up for success, because it leverages your current habits and daily routines and uses them as mental cues for the new behavior. This strengths-based approach increases the likelihood that you will create a memorable, long-term behavior change. What habit will you start stacking today? Give it a try and share it with us on social! @Doctor_Mosley (Twitter & IG)
For more about the power of habits, check out the episode “Creatures of Habit” from one of our favorite podcasts, NPR’s Hidden Brain.