Have you ever heard of someone being an overnight success? That person doesn't exist. No-one can achieve great results without putting in consistent effort.
Even social media influencers, who might have you believe that their lives are a constant parade of free, luxury products, perfectly-styled outfits and immaculate interiors work really hard to make it look that way.
We see the 30-second Instagram reel but we don’t see the hours of planning, scripting, filming, editing, uploading and captioning that went into it.
And that’s the way life is. If you want to see the results you desire, you have to be prepared to put the work into it. You do this by establishing small daily habits that fit into your lifestyle and that you can eventually do without having to think about it.Â
For example, if you want to become a great piano player, you need to practice every day. It doesn’t have to be for long. In fact, it can be as short as five minutes but just the act of showing up will get you into the mindset of a piano player.
And instead of setting a goal like ‘I want to be able to play [Insert Song Here]’, aim to become someone who plays piano regularly.
Â
5 ways to implement good habits in your daily lifeÂ
1. Write down your dream or goal
You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down than if you just think about them. The act of writing them out forces you to think about each goal, strategise and come up with a plan. Be as detailed as you can – no vague statements. State what you want and how you’re going to get it.
2. Break your goals into small daily tasks
If your task is too big, you’ll constantly find a reason not to do it. Instead, break each task down into tiny, bitesize chunks. Do you want to get fit? Spend two minutes each day doing a plank exercise or pull ups.
3. Name a time and place to do your daily task
Clearly stating when and where you’re going to do a daily practice will make it clear that it is doable. It’s also a good idea to attach it to another daily habit. For example, “I am going meditate for two minutes in my bedroom after brushing my teeth.”
4. Make your task easy and obvious
If your goal is to run a 10k for charity, write little post-it notes and stick them around your room reminding yourself why you’re doing it. To make the habit easier, set out your running gear and trainers at the bottom of your bed each night so you don’t have to think about it when you get up the next morning.
5. Motivate yourself with a small reward at each milestone
Small habits lead to long-term success but it can take a while before you start seeing any noticeable results. With that in mind, if you’ve stuck to your healthy habits for the week, treat yourself to some self-care at the weekend. It could be a trip to the beach, a shopping excursion, a movie night, your favourite pizza, a face mask, an hour of video-gaming – whatever you feel like, you’ve earned it!
