Four ways to turn goals into habits

How we can turn goals into habits so that we can get to where we want to be?

Goal-into-habit Tip #1: Break it down on paper.

When we write things down, they become real. The key with this one, however, is to not only write down your goals, but to write down what actionable steps you need to take in order to achieve them. These steps will become your habits. For example, if you want to finish a 200-page book in a month, decide how many pages you can commit to reading daily. Ten pages every morning, evening or during lunch is a lot more digestible than a bulk sum of 200 pages in 30 days.

Goal-into-habit Tip #2: Make it your happy place.

Create your habit into something that you start to crave. Even if you’re training yourself to do something challenging or outside of your comfort zone, find a way not only to make it enjoyable, but to find peace in it. The aim is to start needing ‘it’, whatever that may be — like reading a book, going for a run, or learning a new language — so that when you don’t do it you’ll feel ‘off’.

Goal-into-habit Tip #3: Choose your habits and enjoy the process.

“Habits aren’t destiny,” said Duhigg. We can choose which habits we want to start. This shouldn’t be a chore. Pick something that excites you and something that’s in line with where you want to go.

Goal-into-habit Tip #4: Start Small.

We’ve all heard this one before and that’s for a reason: When making a change and wanting something to stick, take baby steps. If you want to make exercising a habit, instead of starting with a two-hour run one day, commit to short 15-minute fast walks over a week. The more you do it, the easier it’ll be and the more routine it will become. Once you get into that habit, turn a 15-minute walk into a 30-minute jog and then an hour run, will seem simple.