486. You’re Underestimating How Long It Takes to Form a Habit
Jan 6, 2025
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Discover why forming lasting habits takes longer than the commonly believed 21 days. Explore the power of accountability and community support in your journey to change. Learn about keystone habits, like making your bed, that set the tone for greater productivity. Embrace the challenge of prioritizing your goals before reaching for your phone in the morning. Uncover practical steps to transform your New Year resolutions into lasting behavior changes.
Habit formation takes longer than most people believe, averaging 66 days for new behaviors to become automatic.
Implementing accountability measures significantly boosts the success of habit formation, enhancing motivation and consistent progress towards goals.
Deep dives
The Reality of Habit Formation
Many individuals underestimate the time required for habits to become ingrained, often believing they can form them in as little as 21 to 30 days. Research shows that the process actually takes longer, with an average of 66 days needed for a new behavior to become automatic. This misconception has roots in the misinterpretation of Dr. Maxwell Maltz’s work, which originally focused on how long it took patients to adjust to physical changes. Recognizing that habit formation is a prolonged journey can help people maintain motivation and reduce frustration when they don't see immediate results.
Starting Small for Success
Starting with small, manageable changes is essential for effective habit formation, as it helps avoid the pitfalls of extreme behavior modification. Many people set ambitious resolutions that encompass multiple significant lifestyle changes, which can be overwhelming and unsustainable. Instead, focusing on one small habit at a time, such as modifying grocery shopping habits, allows for gradual improvement and builds momentum. This approach is more likely to yield positive results than attempting to overhaul one's entire routine all at once.
The Importance of Accountability
Good accountability practices significantly enhance the success rates of habit formation, often through community support or coaching. Individuals who participate in group programs or have designated accountability partners tend to be more successful in achieving their behavior change goals. The effectiveness of accountability is backed by research indicating that those who report their goals and progress frequently are over 76% more likely to succeed. Engaging with a supportive community not only fosters motivation but also encourages consistent progress toward personal objectives.
Goal Setting as a Power Habit
Establishing the 'goals before phone' habit has been shown to effectively align daily activities with long-term objectives, leading to increased productivity. By prioritizing a quick review of goals each day before engaging with smartphone distractions, individuals can maintain focus on their priorities and reduce the likelihood of getting sidetracked. This practice fosters clarity around commitments and helps individuals say no to less important tasks, thus maintaining progress on their goals. Ultimately, this simple yet powerful habit can create a significant impact on achieving desired outcomes over time.
Chances are, you’ve hit the new year with a new resolution—something you wanted to change about your life. In this episode, Jay explains how you can actually stick to your resolution and make your new habit last.
Jay breaks down the research behind behavior change and habit formation, giving you three clear actions you need to take to succeed. Plus, he shares the single most impactful habit that he has seen people take on.
Challenge of the Week:
“Choose goals before phone.” When you wake up in the morning, don’t get on your phone first thing. Look at your list of goals. Take 60 seconds to remember what you are prioritizing. Then you can get sucked into the vortex that is your phone.
If you're a bold risk taker who wants to dream big and achieve a higher level of success in your life or business, visit the1thing.com.
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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.
We talk about:
How habit formation takes longer than most people think
The importance of accountability in habit formation