Enhance Your Life and Goals through Habit Stacking
"Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement." - James Clear
As a leader and coach, I have constantly looked for ways to enhance my focus, impact, fulfillment, and effectiveness while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
I recently read James Clear's book “Atomic Habits” and discovered the powerful strategy of habit stacking, which has helped me start achieving many of my goals.
Habit stacking is the practice of building new habits by stacking them onto existing ones, creating a chain reaction of positive behaviors that transforms daily routines and elevates desired changes and improvements.
Habit stacking leverages the concept of “chunking,” grouping new habits into existing ones to capitalize on the brain’s natural tendency to establish new routines, making it easier to adopt and maintain positive changes.
Enhancing my potential is a priority goal I set for myself in 2024. I started this process by identifying key areas where I wanted to improve and develop new habits. I settled on my desire to gain new content and information daily through reading, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, etc., to enhance my knowledge, create inspiration, and promote a positive mindset.
Habit stacking is not just about adding more tasks to your day; it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values and long-term objectives. By incorporating habits that support personal and professional growth, you can step into your full potential and become the best version of yourself in all aspects of your life.
Habit Stacking made simple:
Make two lists:
List One: Identify existing habits that you consistently do daily. (e.g., brushing teeth, brewing morning coffee, eating meals - be specific)
List Two: Identify one or two new habits you want to build. Something you can do in two minutes or less.
Stack new habits onto existing habits using this formula. Current habits trigger new habits.
After / Before Current Habit
I will Perform New Habit
Track your progress: Practice new habits regularly (daily) to reinforce them and stick to them. Keep a journal or habit-tracking app to monitor your success, as this will build momentum and keep you motivated to keep going.
Examples:
Before I eat dinner, I will write down two things I am grateful for.
After I shower, I listen to a podcast while preparing for the day.
Before starting my day, I will review what I have prioritized to accomplish for the day.
After getting into the car, I will select a podcast to listen to on the way to work.
Harnessing the power of habit stacking allowed me to unlock new levels of leadership focus, intention, fulfillment, and impact. Leadership is a journey of continual transformation. Start small, stay consistent, and watch as new habits propel you toward your goals.
Let this journey of accountability be your stepping stone to becoming a leader who navigates crises with grace and inspires greatness in others. Sign up for the Leadership Mastermind today and unlock the door to exceptional leadership. Your path to personal and professional transformation starts here. Enrollment ends on April 21, 2024!
“People get so caught up in the fact that they have limits that they rarely exert the effort required to get close to them.”
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear - a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones, emphasizing small changes that lead to remarkable results.
“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg - a compelling exploration into how habits are formed, how they can be changed, and the profound impact they have on our lives and society.
Habitica - a gamified task management app that turns your daily goals and to-do lists into an engaging RPG adventure, helping you stay motivated and organized.
2024 Leadership Mastermind - now open for enrollment through April 21, 2024! Join us to develop the habits that will support you in setting and achieving your more aspirational goals within a space for deep discussion and learning through coaching and accountability to stay focused on what really matters!
Newsletters I read daily to stay informed and get inspired: The Hustle, Morning Brew, Seth Godin’s Blog, Atlas Obscura, Oprah Daily
Podcasts: The Daily, NPR News Now, Marketplace, Marketplace Tech, Don’t Keep Your Day Job, The Highest Self, Planet Money
Well, that’s interesting…
We can’t talk about Habits without talking about procrastination.
Tim Urban gave a fantastic TedTalk on this very topic, give it a watch
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself
How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One
Dr. Joe Dispenza merges science and spirituality to show how changing your thoughts can transform your life.
Drawing from fields like quantum physics and neuroscience, Dispenza offers a practical guide for overcoming ingrained patterns. Through a mix of theory and actionable steps, this book promises a journey of self-discovery and profound transformation.
It is a must-read for anyone seeking to reshape their destiny from the inside out.
Consider how many different pieces of content you see in any given week. See something that resonates with you? Share it with us to feature it in our Social Media of the Week section.
"Over the long run, however, the real reason you fail to stick with habits is that your self-image gets in the way. This is why you can’t get too attached to one version of your identity. Progress requires unlearning. Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and to upgrade and expand your identity."
- James Clear
