Study Prof

(continued from Change a Bad Habit: Step Two)

Start NOW

Don’t wait until tomorrow or next week to get started. Start right this minute! Do something—anything!—to put your new commitment into effect. When I decide something like this I’ll write it on my wrist and keep renewing the ink until I’ve performed the habit five times.

Keep records

Whatever behavior you pay attention to will tend to increase, so keeping a simple record of each performance of your target habit is a really easy way to increase its occurrence. Don’t worry about getting fancy with a calendar, spreadsheet, etc. Go for simple. Every day I get out a 3×5 card and label it with the date. Each time I perform the behavior, I make a check mark on the card. Then I total them up at the end of the day. Try to beat your record. You’ll be amazed at the results!

OPTIONAL: Keep track of your daily totals and add them up by week or month. Gives you a real sense of accomplishment, and makes it more likely that you’ll continue building the habit.

Continue…