A lot is written about developing good habits and the difficulty of doing that.  Charles Duigg’s best seller, The Power of Habit, is just one excellent example of a book which tackles this vexing subject. In The New York Times, Tara Parker-Pope’s recent article reminds us that the most effective way to form good habits is to start with small steps that can be added to other daily routines. http://bit.ly/HowtoHaveHealthyHabits

To boil it down, here are three tips to creating better habits:

1. Raise your awareness  – If you find yourself doing the same thing over and over and wish you weren’t -- like rushing to meetings, skipping lunch, taking a cab when you could walk, or watching TV late at night, you have at least raised your awareness of a habit you want to change. You won’t succeed in changing anything without raising your awareness and concluding change is needed.
2. Take small steps –  Big changes, like taking on a new strict diet or a New Year’s Resolution to exercise five days a week or keeping your messy office neat, won’t last. I repeat, it won’t last. Instead, plan small steps and work them into a routine or habit you already have. As Parker-Poe points out, “while you are brushing your teeth, you might choose to do squats or stand on one foot to practice balance.” You can find more time for yoga or exercise if you do it when your nieces want to play with you.
3. Be clear on why you want to change a habit – write it on piece of paper and put it on the fridge or a wall near your bed or home office. Tell someone, with specificity, what you are going to do, when and how often, and make them your accountability buddy.

Margaret M. Enloe, JD, PCC, practices in New York City as a certified professional coach and speaker. She helps lawyers and people in every profession feel more confident and improve their emotional intelligence. This career and life coach can help you adopt a more positive mindset or help you focus on realizing your goals and adopting good habits. To see what her previous clients have said, view testimonials on her website. Email me@margaretenloe.com to schedule an initial consultation.