In this engaging conversation, Andy Bachert, COO of Friends in Action International and a business owner, shares his insights on habit formation. He discusses the myth of the 21-day habit, emphasizing that building good habits often takes longer. Andy highlights practical strategies he's used, including the Full Focus Planner, to overcome setbacks and maintain consistency. He also illustrates how habit trackers can foster personal and professional growth, alongside tips on balancing responsibilities through effective planning.
Establishing new habits requires time and consistency, as initial enthusiasm often wanes during the challenging 'messy middle' phase.
Incorporating new behaviors into established routines and using visual reminders can significantly enhance habit formation and adherence.
Deep dives
Introducing the Full Focus Wellness Planner
The Full Focus Wellness Planner is designed to enhance self-care and overall well-being, incorporating features that were not present in the regular Full Focus Planner. It allows users to track essential aspects such as sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress levels, alongside maintaining traditional planning functions like setting daily and weekly goals. This new edition has garnered positive feedback within its community, highlighting its comprehensive focus on personal wellness. The added tools like a self-care planner and gratitude sections further support users in achieving their wellness objectives.
The Challenge of Habit Formation
Establishing new habits can be difficult, especially when external factors like illness disrupt momentum, as noted in personal experiences shared in the discussion. Acknowledging that it takes time to form lasting habits, the conversation emphasizes the importance of consistency to see long-term benefits, such as improved communication skills through daily video creation. It is also noted that initial enthusiasm often fades, leading to what the speakers term the 'messy middle,' where maintaining habits becomes a struggle. Recognizing this cycle can help individuals approach habit formation with a realistic mindset and renewed strategies.
Strategies for Building Lasting Habits
Several strategies can enhance the process of establishing new habits, including rewriting existing rituals and setting effective reminders. By integrating new behaviors into established routines, such as placing breathwork before making coffee, individuals can create a more seamless habit integration. Additionally, utilizing visual reminders, like sticky notes, can maintain focus on daily tasks and goals, increasing the likelihood of following through. Finally, rewarding oneself through enjoyable actions or treats can provide motivation, as demonstrated by combining workouts with binge-watching a favorite TV show.
Why is forming new habits - the good ones, at least - so hard to do? We've often heard that it take 21 days to develop a new habit, but personal experience tells many of us that it takes much longer than three weeks to truly install the kinds of habits that we feel will make our lives happier, healthier, and more productive. It's important to understand how to do this right because every time that we feel like we've failed at developing a new habit, we're likely to have feelings of extreme disappointment or shame and, maybe we'll be less inclined to try again next time. Luckily, there are ways to help us get back on track!
In this episode, Blake and Verbs talk about three strategies to help your new habits stick. Also, Nick speaks with Andy Bachert about how he's used the Full Focus Planner in his own life as an organizational leader.
Make sure to get the free Spring Cleaning Guide for your To-Do List at www.fullfocus.co/spring