Creating Small Habits to Reach Big Goals

Are you trying to implement some new, healthy habit into your life?  If you are like most of us, the new desired activity may last a day or two or even a week or two only to fall to the wayside and we are back into our old behavior.  It is a universal, human problem!  Our brains naturally want to keep doing the same thing. We have created ruts in our neural pathways, much like a dog creates a worn path around his perimeter.  In order to overcome and get out of our ruts we have to be proactive. Creating small habits to reach the bigger goal, one step at a time is very effective. When we break down the "big picture" into smaller frames, we create a road to success.
Try this simple method to get you out of your rut and on to new things!

Goal Example: Healthy Lifestyle (big and undefined goal)  Break it down one small habit at a time.

A new small habit to help get me to the bigger goal:

Drink more water

So now that we have a smaller more manageable goal (tiny habit) we need to tie it to a trigger, something that you do everyday.   And then after you accomplish the new habit, celebrate with saying out loud "Great Job!"  or "I'm Awesome"  (I know it's corny but it works!)
Use this simple format:  You can fill in the blanks with whatever habit you want to create (as long it is small)!  Remember we are breaking down big goals into small, doable steps!

After I :                                 walk downstairs in the morning
I will:                                    fill my water bottle
Then I celebrate with:        I am awesome!
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 You will find that because of the very fact that you tied the desired action to something you do everyday, it becomes easy to stay with it.  Celebrating afterwards reinforces our brains to continue the activity!  Super simple!  

If you try this method, I would love to hear how it went.  Just comment in the space below!