How to Create a Habit

Many people could reach that next break-through in life by simply incorporating one or two new activities consistently in their routines. What follows is a guaranteed way to install new habits into your life.

Choose a time of day to consistently conduct your task. An anchor time is important because it will help you remember to do your activity. I suggest using a time or event in your day such as first thing when you get into the office, last thing you do before going to bed, right after you brush your teeth or before meals.

Start out extremely slow. Set up your activity so that it will not take more than 10 minutes the first day. If you are increasing your cold calls, start out by making 3 a day. The next day do 4, then 5, then 6... using this formula you'll be calling on 35 new prospects a day by the end of the first month. If your goal is to run a marathon and you're out of shape, start out by running 100 yards, the next day 125 yards, then 150, and so on until you reach your target distance.

Build slowly. Add one rep, one call, or one minute of your chosen activity everyday. This is an exercise in patience. Think of a date in the future and consider what your activity will be up to by then. This will keep you from becoming discouraged.

Always repeat. If for some reason you're unable to fully conduct your chosen activity on a particular day, do at least a token number of reps, even if you have to pretend! We're installing a habit which requires consistency. Choose to never compromise on this. Remember, your dream is riding on it!

Keep repeating and building until you get to your desired level. Once you reach a desired number of reps, your target distance, et cetera, it's time to focus on making the first few reps better or faster. Now repeat the process until you are doing your entire regimen at that level.

They say it takes 21 days of repeating an activity to make it a habit. Make sure you stick to it. If you get out of your routine for some reason, start back up where you left off, or where you're able.

The preceding is an excerpt from my e-book entitled, "The Little Book of Big Transformations." You can view the entire e-book for free at http://mikes-ebooks.blogspot.com/.