At first glance, this tip on how to change your life may seem simple. This is why it often gets overlooked or dismissed. But when we really think about it, it’s at the root of why so many people struggle to create the positive (and lasting) change they desire in life.
Here it is…are you ready!?
If you want to change your life, avoid trying to change your entire life at once
Think about it for a minute. Change is a process. It takes time, focus, and consistency. Old habits must be overcome and new habits built.
The biggest issue with change is that people get motivated, excited, and attempt to change too many things at once. This complicates the change process, makes it way more difficult and demanding, and ultimately more doomed to failure.
Instead, try focussing on one specific habit and work on it until it becomes part of your normal routine each day. The interesting result is that this one change begins to change other areas of your life.
This creates a domino effect and the small changes accelerate into big changes. As James Clear likes to say, “Improve the whole by mastering one thing.” You may have also heard the mantra to strive to be 1% better each day. This is the same principle. We aren’t trying to make a 100% improvement in a day.
1% is simple. Doable. There aren’t any mental blocks over 1% (other than some people thinking it’s too small to make a difference). However, just like compound interest in the bank, these small “tweaks” done consistently will add up to BIG CHANGE over time!
Which habit/behavior is best to change
While each person will have their own unique areas of focus, through working with thousands of clients over 30 years, I can say that there are three foundational success habits that almost every happy, high-performing person has.
In terms of “bang for your habit change buck”, starting here is your best option.
These three habits are:
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A solid morning routine such as the “FRESH! Start Morning Method™”
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Daytime “energy accelerators, focus finders, and pattern interrupts”
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A strategic end-of-day routine such as the “Evening Wrap-up Ritual™” that we recommend to clients.
The morning routine sets your mindset, motivation, and focus for the day. The daytime habits keep you focused and firing on all cylinders so you get the right things done at the right time. The evening routine helps you wind down from the day, check in on your progress, and set you up for success the following day.
With our High Performance Habits course, you will learn the secrets to creating and breaking any habit quickly and effectively!
It’s pretty straightforward, yet few people have simple, effective, and proven systems in place to maximize their performance in these areas.
As mentioned earlier, you don’t have to implement all of them at the same time.
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Pick one (usually morning or evening routine) to start.
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Do it consistently for 2-4 weeks before adding the next component.
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Repeat until all three Daily Success Habits are in place
Try it! You will be amazed at how you feel and perform each day.
“Zombi on autopilot” or a high-performer
Remember, this isn’t rocket science. It’s just not done by most people most of the time. THAT’S the major difference between being a “zombie on autopilot” each day and a high performer who is actually happy and enjoys their life each day!
Now, not every day is ideal, but having these success habits in place make the majority of them much better. I know which camp I prefer to be in. 🙂
If you want the step-by-step script for creating these Daily Success Habits in your life, you can find it in my book The Fitness Curveball (Pillar #2 specifically).
Be well and keep active!
Coach Tim
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Comments
Great tips! I need a better morning routine. I’m basically in survival mode right now. 🙂
Thank you Adriane. And good luck with getting out of that survival mode, into the happy, healthy, and productive living mode 🙂
Very informative, I definitely would love to improve my moring routine better. This is will help a lot of people.
Hopefully, it will! Thanks for engaging!
This is great – especially picking one habit to start with. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Nia!
Great advice in this article. I am one of those people who tends to try to incorporate changes all at once. Will try your advice and slowly add good habits!
Good luck Stephanie and thanks for commenting!
This makes a lot of sense and makes change seem more manageable too. Thanks for the fresh perspective.
Thank you Lisa for engaging!
I agree with your tip. Changing your life does not happen overnight and it’s a slow process. Stop trying to change your whole life all at once.
I am guilty of this. Wake up one morning and decided to change my life by deleting my friend’s contact, decluttering my whole apartment and going to the shops to buy new things. I started practising new habits etc. It didn’t work. Taking it one step at a time is the best.
Ah yes! Changing your life ought to be done one step at a time. Once it’s rushed, everything is bound to crash!
Exactly Ntensibe! Thanks for commenting!
It can be tough to figure out what to change in life . This makes sense as a strategy.
Thanks for engaging Marysa!
Definitely something to think about and possibly try. Changing things is so hard.!
Yes, it is April. One step at a time! And make realistic goals!
Yes! I agree with this. Baby steps! It’s easier to conquer that way…but I do understand the inclination to want to change everything all at once.
Exactly Nicole! We want to see results fast. But nothing solid and permanent in life comes fast…
Right! Small steps get you towards your goal if you’re consistent with your actions. Big leaps lead to being overwhelmed.
Agreed Rosey! Thanks for commenting!
I think everyone wants to change life to be better, but how to do is a big question..
Thank you for commenting!