It’s a rainy hump day here in St. Louis, but you can’t rain on our long-term success parade.
In fact, nothing can stop you once you know the “How”.
So yesterday, we talked about how changing too much at once almost always derails new habits you’re trying to build.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight. Gain muscle. Or read more books.
It boils down to building habits to get you to your goals.
Changing to much at once is the #1 on the top of the list. So, what is #2?
Picking a goal that is too large.
Do you know what the most difficult part of starting a new habit is?
Starting it!
- The hardest part about pumping iron at the gym…GOING to the gym.
- The hardest part about eating a higher-protein diet…MAKING the protein-rich meal.
- The hardest part about running…STEPPING out the front door.
In other words, on the days when motivation has slipped away and you’re not “feeling it”, it can take a lot of effort to put on your sick workout clothes (you have to look good), hop in your car, drive to the gym, walk into the gym, and lift your first dumbbell.
But once you’re there, it’s normally not too tough to go through your routine.
It’s all about getting going – kinda like Newton’s 1st Law in that an object in motion will stay in motion.
So, the million dollar question is how do you make it so that getting into motion is not a choice when you’re starting a new habit?
Less is More.
Make your new habit easy, so you can’t say no.
Lower the obstacles so much, that doing the new habit is easier than feeling guilty about it later.
- Want to start walking every morning? Start with 5 minutes.
- Want to eat cleaner? Serve yourself one vegetable at dinner.
- Want to save money? Put $10 into a jar each month.
Don’t worry if it seems too small – that’s the point. Once the habit is secure, we can scale up the intensity.
The other half of Newton’s 1st Law is that an object at rest will stay at rest…
So, in the beginning, the most important part is to break that initial inactivity. From there, the sky is the limit.
Your #1 Fan,
Jeff Pelizzaro
PS – Tomorrow, we’re going to keep this rig rolling and uncover the #3 reason fail to build habits.
And if you haven’t already, I highly, highly recommend you join me and the Crew in the 18STRONG Membership.
Inside, you’ll find the Daily Motion already on your calendar. It’s the 5-8 minute mobility routine that will grease up your joints. Not only that, but it’s so simple that it checks all the boxes just to simply GET GOING.