It's the last few weeks of 2018! It's practice time!
For the last couple of years, I've used the last few weeks of the year to gently implement and practice tiny habits that will propel me into the new year.
I used to make HUGE plans to start January 1st with shiny new habits, a brand new attitude, and hope that a list and a plan would be enough to carry me through with drastic new goals.
It rarely worked.
In fact, I failed.
Every year.
By about January 15.
I started thinking that if I had some sort of boost to help January 1 not be so jarring maybe that would help. Maybe if December Kari was just a little more kind to January Kari, maybe I'd be able to make it through not just a few weeks, but a few months of new habits.
Today, as I publish this, it's the beginning of week 50 of 2018. The perfect time to work on micro habits to make January a bit more kind.
We're going to work today, right now, on setting just a few micro habits. It's not the time to get sidetracked with the thought that you need to set your intentions or write out your big goals first. Instead, we're just going to write down one area (just ONE) you know you need to work on for 2019.
Maybe it's losing weight, getting finances on track, or being intentional about daily Bible time, or something totally different. Choose just one.
Take 30 seconds right now to write down one area you'll work on.
Next you just need to brainstorm three micro habits you'll need to increase your chances of success.
For example, if you know you want to lose weight next year, jot down three mini-habits that don't need much work or thought to implement and build one on top of the other like:
If you want to lose weight next year maybe you'll do something like this:
- Week 50, go for a 15 minute walk five days a week.
- Week 51, Go for a walk each day, get rid of all junk food and roast up a pan of veggies to eat as side dishes and have raw, sliced veggies on hand for snacks.
- Week 52, go for a walk each day, prep veggies, and plan your meals for the week and practice sticking to the plan.
Or, maybe you want to get your finances in order?
- Week 50, make a written budget for the next paycheck, spending every cent on paper before you spend it in real life.
- Week 51, review and stick to the budget, and no fast food drive throughs, no matter how busy you are, pack snacks or lunches.
- Week 52, stick to the budget, no drive through purchases, learn more about budgeting, saving, and spending.
Or maybe you want to be deliberate about daily time reading the Bible and praying?
- Week 50, practice getting up 15 -30 minutes earlier than usual.
- Week 51, Get up 15 min early, read just one page in your Bible. (Bonus points if you write a summary on the top of that page!)
- Week 52, Get up 15 min early, read and summarize one page, and write out a prayer based on that page or a verse that stood out.
Take 30 seconds right now to write down one habit for each of the next three practice weeks.
Practice: perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency.
Now, you get to practice! This means you are nice to you. You don't get to beat yourself down for not hitting perfection, this is PRACTICE. You only try to keep repeating that habit every day for the next week. Then you build on that habit the following week. But, since it is practice, you allow yourself grace for the days you miss or don't do well.
My Week 50 habit is to intentionally move my body 15 minutes every day this week. This might be a walk, a short workout video, or raking leaves. Simple, no planning required, and a great habit to build on.
Let me know in the comments below what your mini habit will be and we an cheer each other on!
Week 50 - Wash dishes and clean sink every evening
ReplyDeleteWeek 51 - Wash dishes and dry dishes and put away every evening
Week 52 - Wash dishes, dry and put away, set up coffee maker every evening
Yes! Perfect!
DeleteKari! This is brilliant!!
ReplyDeleteWeek 50; Drink 4 glasses of water every day
Week 51: Drink 6 glasses of water every day
Week 52: Drink 8 glasses of water every day
Oh, this is great! Excellent mini habits!
DeleteWeek 50: no sugar
ReplyDeleteWeek 51: no sugar, no fast food
Week 52: no sugar, no fast food, plan meals and snacks ahead of time.
Oh, great idea! Love it!
DeleteWeek 50 - Read Bible 10 minutes every morning
ReplyDeleteWeek 51 - Read Bible 10 minutes and journal something to remember
Week 52 - Read Bible 10 minutes and journal something to remember, Journal 10 minutes at end of day
Perfect mini-habits! I love it!
Delete