When we’ve had enough of everything, when we want to change things in our lives, the secret is to start by developing better habits. After all, it’s the little things we do day after day that determine our level of happiness and satisfaction in life. But how can we succeed in changing our habits? Here are 8 secrets to help you do it easily and sustainably!

1 – Start somewhere to change your habits

The problem is that when we start to feel the need, the desire to change our habits, there’s too much to do.

In fact, we’d like to change everything at the snap of a finger.

So it’s even possible that you’ve already tried. You changed everything, you lasted 15 days, maybe a little longer, but after a while, you gave up.

It’s also possible that right now, you’re rather sceptical about your chances of success and even doubt yourself.

That’s why I’m simply inviting you to start somewhere. Instead of trying to change EVERYTHING, start by changing ONE habit.

Just one.

The one you like best, the one that seems easiest or most important.

But start somewhere.

We tend to put too much pressure on ourselves: it’s either I change everything, or I change nothing.

But if we think like that, we don’t do anything, and our level of happiness and satisfaction can’t increase.

So take a moment, right here, right now, and trust yourself: which habit are you going to change first?

2 – Start small

Just as we put pressure on ourselves about how many habits to change at once, we put pressure on ourselves about how to change them.

In effect, we think like this: it’s either I go all out, or I don’t go all out.

That’s why people who are not at all sporty sometimes set themselves the goal of going for a 1-hour run 3 times a week.

Which, when we take a step back, is far too much to ask of our bodies and even our minds.

So we run the risk of giving up, because it’s too hard, too much effort.

In other words, when it realizes that we’re going to suffer, it blocks our motivation and creativity. It puts on the brakes with all its might, and that’s why we give up on our goals all the time.

In other words, don’t scare your mind, and don’t martyr your body either.

Start small.

So, when we change our sporting habits, for example, let’s learn to go slowly.

Because the aim is to anchor the habit permanently in our lives.

In fact, doing sport intensively for 1 week or even 1 month won’t produce any long-term results, whereas doing a bit of sport every week for the rest of your life, then something incredible will happen in your daily life.

So, take a moment, right now, to ask yourself: how can I slowly start the habit I’ve chosen for myself? What small steps can I take each week?

3 – Set yourself 30-day challenges to change your habits

Changing your habits also means feeling like you’re achieving your goals. Indeed, we need to feel a sense of accomplishment, and for that we need a summit to reach.

Not too high, of course. But not too low either.

In fact, we need to awaken our fighting spirit sufficiently, without stifling it.

That’s why 30-day challenges are ideal.

Because the duration is long enough to represent a definite effort, yet short enough not to scare us.

So, in concrete terms, I wholeheartedly invite you to set yourself 30-day challenges.

Let’s say you want to change your exercise habits, and you’ve decided to start somewhere by doing yoga at home.

And you’ve decided to start small, with 2 30-minute sessions a week.

Then the 30-day challenge could be as simple as keeping up that pace for 30 days.

Then, for the next 30 days, move up to 3 sessions or 40-minute sessions.

Or simply change your discipline.

In fact, the other big advantage of setting ourselves 30-day challenges is that every 30 days, we take stock of our habits by taking the time to listen to ourselves: how did it go over the last 30 days, what did I like, dislike and what do I want to do now?

4 – Note your progress

Changing your habits is quite a long but exciting process. In fact, over time, your whole daily routine will change, and your life will take on a whole new flavor.

Even the way you look at yourself will change. You’ll feel better about yourself and so much more confident.

In fact, it’s a new path you’re about to take.

That’s why I invite you to take note of your progress.

This can be done in a notebook or simply in a note on your phone.

In concrete terms, ask yourself regularly (at least once a week) where you are with your habits and your 30-day challenges.

Take stock with curiosity and kindness.

Because one of the levers of motivation is the awareness that we’re making progress, that we’re getting where we want to go.

So it’s very powerful.

5 – Provide rewards

Another powerful motivational lever when we want to change our habits is to plan rewards.

For example, at the end of your 30-day challenges, plan a reward.

It could be the purchase of an item of clothing or our favorite pastry. It could be the purchase of something related to your habit (a new yoga mat, for example).

It can be anything you want, as long as it makes you happy.

And plan this reward at the very beginning of your challenge, and note it in your diary or planner.

To think about it, to savour the pleasure it’s going to give you, and to motivate you to succeed in your 30-day challenge.

6 – Use inspirational models to change your habits

Changing habits isn’t always easy. Our motivation can be a roller-coaster ride, and everyday life is full of obstacles and temptations.

So your mind is bound to give you doubts. Often. All the time. Especially in the beginning.

In fact, it’ll spend its time trying to negotiate with you: are you sure you want to do your yoga session? Because we could keep watching social networks or television.

And, at times like these, it’s hard to stay focused on our habits and goals.

So how do you do it?

I wholeheartedly invite you to find some inspirational models to keep your motivation high.

In fact, depending on your current change of habit, find people who have made that same change and show you how right they were.

Get their advice and motivation by reading their books, for example. Or find them on social networks.

And, when you feel your motivation slipping, when your mind’s arguments for not doing what you need to do start to make you waver, go and draw energy and motivation from your role models.

7 – Praise yourself for changing your habits

All too often, we look outside ourselves for what we can offer ourselves.

Indeed, when we lack the motivation to change our habits, there’s one person you can count on, but never think about. That’s yourself.

In fact, when you’re in doubt, when you’re procrastinating, turn to yourself. Not to criticize yourself, but to motivate yourself.

To do this, congratulate yourself, while giving yourself a little kick up the backside.

Be proud of yourself.

Changing your habits is a big deal, but it’s essential, vital even.

So keep at it. Don’t give up.

So, when you have doubts, take a moment to congratulate yourself on 10 things, and give yourself 10 compliments as well.

Give yourself the gift that will boost your energy and motivation levels.

8 – Start again instead of making excuses

Sometimes you’re not going to keep your commitments. That’s normal. It happens to everyone, every day.

So what do you do in those moments?

All too often, we let our hard-headed, critical mentality get the better of us: “I knew it. I’m too bad anyway. Besides, I’ll never make it.”

Stop!

Do it again. Just do it again.

Take up your habit again. See if you still like it, if it’s still important to you.

See if you can change the way you do things: either cut back on what you’ve set out to do, or do it differently. In a lighter, happier way.

Listen to yourself.

If you’re not keeping to your commitments, something isn’t working. So find solutions instead of excuses. You can do it to yourself, you deserve it, so do it differently, but do it again.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Wanting to change your life: 5 tips for successfully changing your life
Discover Tired of everything: 20 questions to change your life

I recommend this inspiring book:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Covey’s book examines the principles and habits that lead to personal and professional effectiveness. He focuses on proactive behaviors, prioritizing important tasks and continuous improvement. If you’re looking to change your habits, Covey’s timeless wisdom provides a framework for cultivating positive habits that can have a profound impact on your life and productivity.

It reminds us that if we lead our lives according to the laws of life (higher thinking), success will come to us in ways we could never have imagined!
Great book!

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself