What is the hardest part of forming a new habit?
Hi guys,
I'm working on getting more data to validate the idea of a product I'm building. To verify the problem, it would help a lot if you could answer this question: "What is the hardest part of forming a new habit?"
Cheers,
Thomas
I recently looked into habit building in-depth and what's 'difficult' varies greatly for everyone. However, if you're interested in habit building I highly recommend reading Atomic Habits. It's a quick read, and it does a great job of removing the resistance that comes with building new habits. However, if you prefer I can just share my notes with you and answer any questions you have.
Thanks for the recommendation, I read Atomic Habits earlier this year and loved it. He outlines a 4 step process of creating habits: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. While you're right, the difficulty varies significantly from person to person; I found that commonly the biggest pitfall is the first step. Because, if I forget to put the water on the nightstand or put the running shoes next to my bed, everything else is lost as well. But what are your biggest hurdles with creating new habits?
For me, it's usually about sticking to it long-term. After a while, I lose enthusiasm, especially, if I haven't seen results and don't actually like the process doing the habit. Exercise would be a good example of this, after a while it feels more like a chore.
That makes sense. Have you ever been able to overcome this challenge? What, if anything, have you done to overcome it?
Good question. Now that I think about it, I've always relapsed back into old habits because they were simply more attractive in the moment than doing the good habit. But after a relapse, I've always managed to get back on the bandwagon.
In those moments where you relapsed, is it fair to say you lost the reason why you wanted to do it in the first place? Even if only for the moment where something else seemed more attractive?
Yeah that's definitely a good way to look at it. After I noticed this pattern, I read atomic habits and started using a habit tracker. (Not a digital one but a printed tracker) I also started to make more of an effort to notice the benefits of the good habits was building and started doing some reinforcement excersises now and again. Like, writing a full page on how perticular habit was going improve my life. All of this helped me keep my 'why' at the forefront of my brain and made be more resilient when the going got tough. And so far it has worked really well :)
Keep repeating the old habit and can’t undo it.
What if you only wanted to create a new habit without replacing an old one?
For me it would be loosing sight or got distracted from the goal, seeing no results and get demotivated. Then end up questioning the process or the routine.
Have you been able to overcome this challenge with some habits? If so, what did you do to overcome it?
I've done this with exercise and healthy eating. I have to keep visiting the image I have in my mind of how I want to be. I've learned that not only there are things I need to do to reach the goal, but also have to identify things that I shouldn't do as well. For instance, eating sweet etc. Then trust the process again. When the result starts to show, then I get motivated, then keep doing it and so on.
Thanks, that's helpful @namwa! So if I understand correctly, the challenge is not only the habit itself but reminding yourself consistently of "why you want to add the habit." When you started eating healthier and exercising more, have you used any techniques of reminding yourself why you want to do it?
Yes. I like the saying 'when you feel like quitting, remember why you started'. My technique is to surround myself with communities that helping each others reaching the same goals. This is also true with starting side hustle or projects - this is why I like being in Indie Hackers community :)
That makes sense, have you been able to find communities for your goals easily? What are some obstacles you have encountered in finding communities? How have you found out about communities like Indie Hackers?
I believe that whatever you're looking for, you'll find it. I can't remember how I found IH but somehow I stumble upon it through google search. I think most communities are out there on social media already, it's more about what one is looking for.
Week #3 :)
In short: sticking with it once it's not exciting anymore.
Ha, yeah, I know that one. What were some ways you used to get the excitement back?