Tips for Starting Routines and Creating Habits

It can take 18 to 284 days to create a habit depending on the complexity of the desired habit. Habits are established through creating routines. To create a routine you need commitment, structure, and brain support to be successful. 

Use a white board with magnet slides. This is a great visual and tactile method to support your brain in remembering your tasks for your new routine. Create your list and when you have completed a task slide the magnet over to the done side.  An example would be to have a white board list of the things you need for your day: car keys, wallet/purse/backpack, computer, lunch. Check the whiteboard before you go out the door to ensure you have everything for the day. This helps set up a routine that you can reliably follow every morning. 

Creating reminders or timers on your phone or echo is a great auditory way to support your memory of your new routine.

Visual reminders, if you need to take medicine or remind yourself to floss, put that item in a prominent spot that you will see and remember to do. 

Create a reward that follows the routine. This acts as an incentive and also a great feeling when the routine is finished. It can be as small as swiping all the magnets to the done side, or rewarding yourself with a tv show. 

The act of doing a task and seeing it crossed off consecutively on a chart or calendar builds up and serves as a motivator and confidence booster to continue. 

Sometimes bigger routines need accountability from a friend or a coach to keep you on track and give you encouragement. Share what your goal is with a friend. They may want to join you or have a similar goal that you can work on together to be successful.

Add a new routine on an established routine or habit. If you are already doing a routine successfully adding a new routine after it is a great way of ensuring that you will follow through. For example, If you want to remember to floss your teeth at night and you already have a great habit of brushing your teeth, put your floss out on the counter so it's a visual reminder and floss immediately after brushing. Maybe you get to listen to a relaxing song while brushing and flossing. Now you have incorporated several techniques to be successful.