What is THE Key Habit To Start Off Your Best Year Yet?
Here we are in the early days of the new year, when we’re still hopeful that something will be different. It is my mission to shake things up and find the shiny new habits that will fix everything!
And ok, I’m kind of kidding.
Obviously that’s why resolutions don’t stick, there is no perfect set of habits to fix everything.
Everyone has different limitations, goals, and dreams. I mean, if I lived in New Mexico and went on long morning walks every morning before heading to my studio to paint, maybe I’d come up with something as brilliant as Georgia O’Keefe? Hey, I could always try taking micronaps like Salvador Dali! He used to fall asleep holding a key, and when he dozed off and it fell to the ground, he’d wake from that in-between state and channel it for inspiration.
We’re always looking for that magic plan that will turn us into a prolific, inspired, and organized artist or entrepreneur or professional, whipping up new works while balancing family responsibilities and home chores. Even once we retire, there are so many possibilities that sometimes we just stick to the status quo.
So let’s back way up and just investigate where to start.
Morning or Evening Habits?
The benefit to starting with a consistent morning routine is, it’s a clean slate, theoretically. You could wake up before everyone, have your coffee, work out, and start your day all pepped up. The problem is, it just doesn’t always happen like that. It’s too easy to hit snooze, especially on those mornings when you stayed up late the night before, or didn’t sleep well. Maybe mornings are not the perfect time to start a new habit for everyone. It’s true that a consistent evening routine can set you up for a better morning.
If you can avoid late-nights snacks or drinks, you sleep better. If you sleep better, you have more energy and can rise earlier.
Now, this is all assuming you actually follow the routine, skip the snacks, and go to bed when you had planned.
So maybe evenings aren’t the magic bullet either.
Just (Really) Know Yourself
This is when the key advice, “Know Thyself,” (attributed to Socrates) comes into play. See, even in ancient times they were trying to figure this stuff out! It’s time for you to reflect on your ACTUAL reality. Don’t overthink it, but be brutally honest, no one’s looking. When are you the weakest, or most likely to be exhausted and struggle? What do you ALWAYS do, like always? Do you always eat a certain breakfast? Are you pretty consistent with bedtimes? Do you have to get up at a certain time for work? Do you despise getting up any earlier than you absolutely have to?
So I’m going to have to come to terms with finding a different time to do it, and then stick to it.
Me, I would theoretically love to exercise at 6am and have it out of the way. But, I like to run or walk outside, and I hate to do so in the dark.
So I’m going to have to come to terms with finding a different time to do it, and then stick to it.
The 5 Steps to Choosing YOUR Key Habit
Here are five simple considerations that will lead you to your key habit. We want to strip it down to the essentials, or let’s face it, it’s not happening.
Pick a Time of Day: Do you have more control over your day in the morning, or at night? Factors include work, kids, a partner’s schedule, and just whether or not you’re good at going to bed at the same time or waking up at the same time. Pick either morning or evening for your signature routine - don’t try to have an elaborate routine both at night and in the morning, at first.
Your Key Habit: What would you like to do daily? Start even with just one thing, but no more than three. As much as I have ignored this advice in the past, it’s so true. Adding too many habits at once is a recipe for bailing completely and going back to floating through your days at the whims of others. And then being mad at yourself because you didn’t do the one thing you actually wanted to do. If you can’t decide, think of it using “The One Thing” focusing question, from the book by Gary Keller: “What one thing would make everything else easier or unnecessary?” For me, it’s exercise, as much as I hate to say it. If I’m moving regularly, I just have more energy, eat better, and sleep better. Then my whole day just goes better, I get more done and feel happier. It’s that simple, but not that easy. It might not be the same for everyone though. Maybe for you, it helps you feel on top of your game to consistently clean up the kitchen right after dinner each night, and that helps you have a relaxing evening and good start to the next day. Picture your life as it is NOW, not your dream routine, and just find that one habit that can get the ball rolling in the right direction.
Stack New Habits Onto Current Habits: Okay, so you decided on your most predictable time of day, and your key habit. I’m best in the morning, and my key habit is going to be exercise (rotating between running, walking, yoga and weight training). Now, attach it to a habit you already have. We all have something we already do daily. Brushing our teeth, driving home from work, or even just waking up. Stack your new habit routine RIGHT after what you’re already doing. For me, I’m going to work out RIGHT after the kids walk out the door to school. It’s the only time of day I have open, with more control over my activities, and it’s light out so I can’t complain about walking in the dark. The cool thing with habit stacking is that once you nail one habit down, you can add onto it much easier. You’re already on a roll!
Lower Your Expectations: Now I’m famous for unrealistic expectations. See Exhibit A below, which is a birthday card my brother wisely got for me. I laugh at it, but I’m still under the delusion that all my unrealistic expectations CAN come true. And hey maybe they will. The key isn’t to give up trying to reach for the stars, the key is not beating yourself up when you don’t quite get there. It’s ok. You’re trying something new, and that’s a good thing.
Write it Down: You did it! Now write it down in your calendar, or put a sticky note on your mirror, or add an alert on your phone. Do your new key habit three days in a row. Then four. Then…just keep going! If you miss a day, no problem, just don’t skip two days in a row and you’ll be automatically flying through your new routine in no time. Check in with a friend, or me - because I need some accountability with this morning exercise thing. I’m writing about it now, but I already didn’t do it today because my trigger - the kids going to school - didn’t happen! It’s a snow day! Ah well, I’ll wrap this up and head outside now for a wintery walk.
WHICH NEXT ACTION FITS YOU?
Here are three first steps to your new habit routine for 2025. You know which one you’re more likely to do, so start there!
Quick Win:
Take 5 minutes to list all the things you’d like to start doing this year. Now circle ONE. Put it on your calendar for tomorrow. Adjust the timing from there if it doesn’t quite fit!Solid Solution:
Set aside 15 minutes, grab a piece of paper, and write out brief thoughts on the 5 steps above. Put your 1 or 2 key habits in your phone as a repeating event. Now add an event for next week to reassess the routine and see if it needs to be adjusted based on your realities.Treat Yourself:
What is your key habit? Buy something about it! I’ll use my exercise example - now go buy yourself new workout gear, like sneakers or some warmer leggings. This is always nice for a boost to get going!
I believe that WE have the power make the daily decisions that shape our lives, for better or worse. So let’s start small, decide on a key habit or two, and throw them into a morning or evening routine that will stick. If you feel good, your brain and body are ready to be more creative! Keep me posted!
With enthusiasm for art & life,
Heidi
Key Reference & Resources:
All of these books are awesome, 10/10 recommend!
The One Thing, by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan. Bard Press, 2013.
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, by Mason Currey. Knopf, 2013.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg. Random House, 2012.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear. Avery, 2018.
Exhibit A
EXHIBIT A
The spot-on card from my brother. I laughed, but still plan to make ALL those expectations come true!
And I wish this for you as well!