The two part system to jumpstart any habit.

To form a new habit, you need to make it easy. These two methods will help you keep working at your habit, every day.

To form a new habit, we need to remember to do it (or work on doing it) every day. However, this doesn’t have to be daunting. Research demonstrates the importance of “cues” to forming good habits. Cue yourself up for success with these two methods described by James Clear in Atomic Habits.

Method One: Habit Stacking

“One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day and then stack your new behavior on top. This is called habit stacking.” — Atomic Habits

Habit stacking is rather straightforward. As described by Clear, you start your new habit by piggybacking it on an old one. If you want to take a vitamin each day, pair it with something you already do. Make it specific. “I will take my vitamin after I brush my teeth.” By stacking the new habit with the one we already do, we are more likely to carry out on the intended new habit.

The Formula for Habit Stacking

When I [current habit] I will also[new habit]

Method Two: Implementation Appointment

Make a plan with yourself for when you are next going to act to further your new goal. Be specific. In particular, plan the specific time and specific place at which you will next act. If you make this plan real by noting when and where it will happen, you’re far more likely to follow through.

“At eat a healthy lunch in the cafeteria at 12pm tomorrow in my office.” By setting the plan in motion, you prepare yourself to execute. When the time comes, you’ll do your plan because the decision was already made.

The Formula for Setting an Implementation Appointment.

I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION]