Change of Heart, Change of Habit: Tips on Creating New Habits for the New Year
January seems to always come with good intentions that arise from a conscious and triumphant change of heart. But those changes only stick when starting from the inside out, and our actions and habits might take some time to get on board.
Once we’ve had a true change of heart, how do we go about changing our habits?
This week we gathered pro tips on changing behaviors - translating a change of heart into a true change of habit. Here are four simple steps towards building new habits and making our actions reflect what’s inside:
1. Down to the Details
Write it down and make it plain. (Habakkuk 2:2) Start by defining in detail the new habit and what exactly you’ll accomplish once it’s formed. How often would you like this activity to take place? What does it entail? Where will it happen? Then get clear about all you’ll accomplish, visualizing your objective and the end results to the fullest. You can even write a play-by-play to get this habit going, knowing what to do first, next, and last to get it done.
2. Make it Easy
Make the new habit as easy to incorporate as possible by lowering the initial effort it takes to get started on its growth. Trying to eat healthy? Meal prep every week. Want to read the bible every morning? Leave it open on your desk the night before. Don’t make building habits harder than it has to be. In fact, make it as easy as possible!
3. Let Others In
To sustain your growth, it can be helpful when others are able to see, affirm, and support it. Accountability partners, or groups, can work wonders when it comes to keeping you motivated and focused during the early stages of incorporating and tracking new habits. Maybe you post your running log on the fridge for your family to see or start a group chat with like-minded friends. Even having someone ask about your new habit once a week will help you stick to your goal and get the results you desire.
4. Call in Reinforcements
This is where you treat yourself for all your hard work! Reinforce your new habit by giving yourself a reward once the task is finished and you’ve stuck to your goal. This creates a sense of progress and positive motivation while your habit is forming in its baby stages of growth. So as soon as you hit your target, reward yourself right away! The quicker the gratification the more likely you’ll do it again.
If you’ve had a change of heart, work with intention and dedication to create habits that align to the direction God pointing you in. Remember that real change doesn't happen overnight, it takes patience, persistence and prayer.
