The Secret To Habit Forming

It’s that time of year again. New year new you right? All around the world people are setting positive intentions regarding the year ahead. At Inhale Health we’ve learned a thing or two about habit forming. In 2020 we helped several hundred thousand consumers around the world adopt new behaviors in support of a healthier lifestyle. So what’s the secret to following through with your resolutions this year? Here are some proven methods and thought frameworks to ensure you meet and exceed your goals for 2021.

1. Formulate a Detailed Plan.

Don’t be vague. The devil really is in the details. Rather than an abstract goal such as “I will exercise more this year”, plan and outline the exact schedule you will follow in order to easily hold yourself accountable. For instance, as opposed to “I will workout more”, outline the precise days and times each week you plan to exercise. Take out a good old fashioned pen and paper and write out your plan. Be specific and be detailed. Write out precisely when, where, and how you will take action. Don’t underestimate the power of putting things into written form.

Take your written plan and leave it somewhere it will be in your line of sight everyday. Do this before digitizing your schedule on your smart device and setting the corresponding alerts and reminders. There is always power in bringing your intentions into physical form. The act of writing out your goals carries weight on your subconscious. In a highly digitized age, notes and reminders that remain strictly digital can get lost in the cloud. Your hard copy will serve as a physical reminder, and the act of writing it will help set your intention and hold you accountable.

2. Get in touch with your “Why”

What is the true reason you’ve chosen to set these goals for the year ahead? Go deep and do some true soul searching. There is a version of you in the future who has succeeded in achieving the outcome of the goals you are setting now. Success is the process of taking action and connecting the dots one day at a time. Who we are as individuals is the cumulative outcome of the choices we make in each moment.

Every day truly is an opportunity to improve any aspect of your life you choose to focus on. Deeply resonating with your intentions will serve as the fuel you need to succeed. Take a few minutes to close your eyes and visualize the version of you who has crushed your 2021 goals. This version of you is waiting on the other side of consistent action.

3. Remember, The Micro Becomes the Macro.

It takes time and consistency to adopt a new behavior. Changing one’s behavioral patterns is hard at first, but day by day as you fall into a routine it becomes progressively easier. Break up your goals into monthly, weekly, and daily metrics. It can seem daunting when you set an annual goal. Setting monthly, weekly, and even daily milestones transforms your goals into digestible, attainable steps.

Keeping track of daily wins allows you to celebrate the small victories and creates a positive feedback loop to keep you motivated to achieve consistency. As Aristotle said “we are what we repeatedly do, excellence is not an act but a habit”.

4. Find an Accountability Partner

Pick a friend, colleague, or family member to share your goals with. Ask them to check in with you periodically and hold you accountable. Offer to do the same for them. Perhaps you and your accountability partner have similar goals and can work on them together. Making a third-party aware of your intentions will give you that much more reason to follow through. Most of us have a competitive spirit and want to be known by our peers as someone who follows through. Make you goals known to others. Watching you succeed will serve as a motivational force to others in your network.

5. Set your “back on track” plan at the onset.

So many people start off the new year strong, but once February rolls around many find they have slipped back to their old ways. This will not be you. Messing up a single day is no excuse to let the downward spiral ensue. Whatever your goals may be, outline how you will make up for it in the event that you momentarily come off course. If you miss a workout, immediately add an additional hour to your next scheduled session. If you slip up with your diet plan, forgo your next scheduled cheat day. Having a back on track plan outlined in advance gives you a fast track to get right back on the path to consistency.

The occasional misstep is no reason to deviate from your plan. Many people set lofty goals, and as soon as they have a single misstep they fall off entirely. Your back on track plan provides a premeditated corrective protocol in the event of a minor deviation. Being consistent in the long term beats out being perfect in the near term every time. Imperfection is part of the human experience. Plan for it, and commit now to overcoming any mistakes when and if they occur.

6. Own Your Outcome.

Make a firm commitment to succeed.Be tenacious. Mindset is critical, especially when you’re up against a challenge. The secret to success is persistence in the face of adversity. You have the true power to achieve everything you set out to do.

We’ve reviewed testimonials from thousands of consumers in the Inhale Health community who have transformed their lifestyle habits since we first got to know them. 2021 is a clean slate after a year of unprecedented challenge for us all. Make this your best year yet. Set clear intentions, decide that failure is not an option, and own your outcome. We know you can do it, and our team at Inhale Health is here to help in anyway we can.