The five steps to building a habit

So you want to consistently workout. Now what? To set yourself up for success, and avoid a lack of follow through, follow these five steps. You got this.

1. Understand if the habit truly matters to you.

A habit you are trying to build should fall into one of your top five priorities. Why? Because it’s better to focus on five goals and achieve them as opposed to half-accomplishing twenty things and feeling like you're never enough. A habit that is a part of a top priority sets you up for success. For example, if personal wellness is a top priority, the habit of working out three times a week directly links to it.

2. Break the habit down.

The habit you are trying to build is probably a series of habits. To set yourself up for success, break this habit down so it fits into your lifestyle and isn’t overwhelming. For example, if a badass woman want to workout four days a week and currently works out one day a week, these would be the series of habits she’d build over time:

• Habit 1: Take two fitness classes a week

• Habit 2: Take two fitness classes a week and weight train once a week

• Habit 3: Take two fitness classes a week and weight train twice a week

3. Identify the resources you will use to make the habit happen.

The brain makes 35,000 decisions a day. To make a new habit happen, take the guesswork out of it. Resources like exercise programs and nutrition plans set you up for success. For example, if a badass woman wants to workout out three times a week at home, she will pick an exercise program to follow that meets these specifications. She will know exactly what workouts she is doing before it’s time to workout. This resource reduces the amount of decisions she needs to make and increases the chance doing this habit will happen.

4. Plan when the habit will happen.

Every Sunday, plan when the following week you will make the habit happen. Physically mark your calendar, it makes all the difference. If you don’t plan it, other life happenings will get in the way. For example, if a badass woman is working out twice a week, on Sunday she would identify which two days the following week she plans to workout and she would put these times on her calendar.

5. Commit to the habit by having someone hold you accountable.  

To set yourself up for success, have an external source hold you accountable. Whether that is a friend, your spouse, or Habit House, tell them when you plan to accomplish your habit and have them ask you how it went the following weekend. Having someone share encourage your progress and support your goals is key.

Looking for someone to provide the resources and accountability you need to build a healthy habit? Join Habit House. We are currently private beta testing the product and are admitting select women as space becomes available. Request an invitation.