February 2 - Half the Habit

Is there a habit you’ve been trying to form this year, but you’re having little or no luck?

Cut your goal in half. So, if you want to read 50 pages a day, cut it to 25 pages a day. If you want to work out 60 minutes a day, change your plan to 30 minutes. Ready to do it? No?

Cut it in half again. Keep lowering your expectation until you roll your eyes with the simplicity of the task. Instead of trying to force yourself to read 50 pages a day, you could change your goal to six pages a day.

You might think that’s not enough, but it’s better than zero pages. And, if you don’t have time to read 50 pages, then chances are you won’t bother reading a few pages.

However, if your goal is six pages, then you’ll be likelier to do it (and maybe you’ll read more pages when you have the chance).