When it comes to creating new healthy habits your chances of success are increased to 91% if you write down what you intend to do – with the day / time / location – this is called Implementation Intention
This alone is amazing info that you can put to good use.
BUT
I have MORE for you 🙂
You see often if you are trying to achieve a major goal or introduce a significant lifestyle change for the better there is more than 1 habit that you need to create.
So I now want to introduce you to a special kind of ‘Implementation Intention’
Called ‘HABIT STACKING’
Put simply you stack 1 [or more] habit/s on top of another.
Before I explain this in a little more detail though, do you mind if I ask you if
you have ever bought a new outfit [let’s say a nice new dress] and then thought to yourself that this alone is NOT enough?
– now you need some new shoes to go with the new dress?
– may be some new make up as well?
– how about a new handbag?
Believe it or not this is normal behaviour. – purchasing goods that are complimentary to one another.
[That’w what I keep telling my husband Ricky anyway!!}
It’s called The Diderot Effect.
Well Habit Stacking uses the exact same principle.
When you do perform one good habit, you can ensure that another one follows.
eg.
After I wake up I will make a healthy high protein breakfast.
or
After I exercise on a Friday, I will write my shopping list of healthy foods for the following week.
or
Once I have had my healthy breakfast in the morning, I will fill up a 2 litre bottle of water for the day.
or
Once I get into bed each night I will always kiss my partner good night and say ‘I love you’
Again you write them down in the following format
‘After [Current Habit], I will [New Habit]’
So to get this up and running you just add a new habit to something you already do.
Then once you have managed to perform this you can add another one……and then another one.
STACK THE GOOD HABITS UP.
They all compliment each other.
After I get up each morning I will have a high protein healthy breakfast.
After breakfast each morning I will fill up a 2 litre bottle of water.
After I have filled up my water I will make a healthy lunch.
etc.
Whilst this may not be quite as exciting as going out and buying a new wardrobe it will lead to long term positive changes.
MOTIVATION = short term success
GOOD HABITS = short and long term success.
Anyway I hope this helps you to may be look at things a bit differently
and start to understand why things have not worked out in the past.
Alex
x
Ps: Just click here if you would like any info regarding our upcoming 6 week body transformation programmes.