Intentional Implementations to Make New Habits Stick

If you are trying to start a new habit and are struggling, take a moment to read this email. I will give you the details on how to intentionally implement a new habit into your daily routine. These new habits do not have to be limited just to your health. Maybe you desire to start to meditate. Or your a student & need to improve your study habits. Even in your marriage maybe you are striving to add more couple time.

In my previous email, I talked about HABIT STACKING. If you missed that email you can find it on my blog here: HABIT STACKING ​

Today I want to share another way to create a new habit with using implementation intention. In the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, he discusses this method which I teach to my clients. With the new year fast approaching you may be thinking of your New Year's Resolutions, I thought it was a perfect time to share this method with you to hopefully make your resolution a new habit that lasts.

Implementation intention is that plan you make beforehand about when and where to act. In simple terms fill out this sentence:

I will [behavior] at [time] in [location].

If your goal is to start to meditate yours may look like this: I will meditate for one minute at 7 am in my kitchen. You are already in your kitchen at that time so by adding this specifically to this place and time adds the intention and how exactly your will implement the new habit.

Here is one for studying: I will study History for 20 minutes at 7pm in my bedroom.

Exercise: I will exercise for 1 hour at 5pm in my local gym.

Marriage: I will make my partner a cup of coffee at 7am in the kitchen.

The benefit to implementation intentions is that being specific about what you want and how you will achieve it helps you say no to things that derail your progress, distract your attention, and pull you off course.

If you are like me I have to add almost everything to my google calendar so I remember. I even add when I need to bring something to an event so I remember to buy it. If I already do this effortlessly to remind me, look how easy it can be if I also add my new habit I desire to my calendar.