Habit Maker

Victoria Frances Jackson
Sep 20, 2021
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

VFJ Pilates | Quick Reads

New habits are hard, but they do not have to be heroic. Just a little planning (and a tiny bit of sneakiness) goes a long way.

Start Small

A huge mistake is trying to start with something big or time consuming. If it takes too long or too much effort, it feels like a chore, and you will likely ditch it after a few short days.

Break your habit down into something smaller, shorter, and easier. The goal is to make it so simple you barely notice it. Once it’s part of your day, you can always build on it.

Want to meditate? Start with ten minutes at the beginning or end of your day. Trying to eat better? Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning or swap just one snack for something healthier. House a mess? Start by making the bed or doing the dishes before bed. Get fit? Try a ten-minute HIIT session on your lunch break. Want to read more? Get up or wind down ten minutes earlier with a book.

Keep it small. Keep it doable. That’s how it sticks.

What’s Stopping You?

Ask yourself: what’s really standing in the way?

You might think you dislike exercise, but maybe it’s just the hassle. Getting home, changing clothes, going to the gym, coming back, showering. That’s a lot. But what if your gym was near work, or you exercised from your living room?

Maybe your workplace has showers. Could you cycle or jog there instead, and get your movement done before 9am? Finding the real barrier often reveals the solution.

Make a Plan

Think back to the last time you tried to start something new. If it didn’t stick, what did you do?

Probably: gave up. But you are human. That is normal.

This time, make a plan for what to do when you stall or wobble. First rule? Let go of the guilt. So you had a beer instead of skipping it, or ordered the takeaway instead of going straight home, okay. Move on. Reset. Tomorrow is a fresh start.

Try the “never miss twice” mantra. If you skip a habit one day, commit to doing it the next. No spiralling. No all-or-nothing thinking. Just course-correct and keep going.

You might fail once, or ten times. That’s okay. If you’ve got a plan, you can bounce back.

One small habit at a time, your future self will thank you.

Wishing you patient progress and sneakily clever routines,

Victoria xx