We all have goals we want to achieve, but forming a new habit can be difficult. Whether it’s exercising more, reading daily, or waking up earlier, sticking to new routines often feels like an uphill climb. The good news is that you don’t have to do it all at once. In fact, trying to make big changes right away can lead to burnout. The solution? Start small. By doing a smaller version of the habit, you build consistency, which is the foundation of long-term success.
Here’s how to start with less and turn it into something automatic over time.
Make Your Habit Smaller
One of the most common reasons people struggle with new habits is that they try to do too much at once. If you want to start running, for example, you might think you need to run several kilometres straight away. But when it’s tough, or you can’t fit it into your day, the habit dies before it even starts.
Instead, start with a tiny version of the habit. If running is your goal, try running for just five minutes. The key here is to make it so easy that you can’t fail. It might seem too small to matter, but this approach helps you get started without overthinking it. Once the habit feels natural, you can increase the amount over time. Small habits are easier to stick to, and consistency is what turns them into something automatic.
Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection
When you’re working on a new habit, it’s tempting to aim for perfection from the start. But perfection is a trap. If you miss a day or don’t do as well as you hoped, it’s easy to give up completely. The real focus should be on showing up, no matter how small the action is.
Imagine you want to start reading more. Instead of trying to read a whole book in a week, commit to reading just one page a day. That may seem like nothing, but doing something every day builds momentum. Once it becomes part of your routine, you can add more pages when you’re ready. The key is to keep going, even when it’s small. Over time, the habit will grow naturally.
Build Gradually Over Time
Once you’ve established consistency with your small habit, it’s time to think about making gradual increases. This doesn’t mean doubling your efforts overnight. Instead, think of it like climbing a staircase. You take one small step at a time, increasing only when the smaller version of the habit feels easy.
For example, if your goal is to do 50 push-ups a day, start with five. Once you’ve mastered five push-ups consistently, move up to 10. The gradual approach keeps you from feeling overwhelmed. It also allows you to build confidence as you improve, turning the small actions into bigger achievements without forcing it.
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