There are several techniques that you can use to build better habits. But what’s most effective is starting with your mindset. It’s like building a house — you start with building your foundation before building anything else. And what’s your best foundation? Yourself. You can do many practices — such as building a good reward system, getting valuable insights from a positive mindset speaker, or just harnessing your intrinsic perseverance.
Obsession with money can be a cause for concern, but it can also help you form the right habits. An app called StickK is founded on the premise that people who did not perform a certain promised habit pay up money for failing. The premise is simple. You provide your credit information when you first sign up and make a promise to perform a habit, say post relevant content on social media every single day for 30 days. You then pay – an amount of your choosing – if you do not follow your pact. This will be verified by a third party whom you will nominate such as your life partner or manager. It’s that simple.
Would the idea of using the motivation of losing money work? Perhaps so, especially in this part of the world where money is a highly regarded commodity. Culturally, we have always been taught to respect money. My parents, who grew up in tough pre-independence times, drilled the idea of “a penny saved is a penny earned” into my mind since I was young. Hence, losing money due to our inability to keep to a pact will definitely play strongly on our conscience.
Using a Rewards System to Build Better Habits
If punishment seems a wee bit negative to you, consider exploring rewards instead. There are some guidelines, though, if you plan to use material rewards to motivate you. Here are three guidelines to adhere to:
1. The Item Must Be Something You Can Live Without
This may seem obvious, but many people make the mistake of choosing items that they need. For instance, if your reward is to get a new watch to replace the old one which you misplaced, you will get the watch anyway because you clearly need one.
2. The Item Should Not Be Something You Need For Your Business
This is another common mistake. Telling yourself that you will buy a new HD webcam once you have completed your cold calls for a month does not make sense since you already need a camera for your Zoom meetings.
3. The Item Should Be Small But Satisfying
Unless you are Bruce Wayne, you shouldn’t be splurging on Armani suits and shirts every time you finish about of appointments. You should start weaning off pricey rewards from the beginning. Start with small rewards, and you may be surprised how happy you are with them. After all, it’s the little things that matter in life, right?For me, the “I can master a new habit” reward is sufficient. But if money is a big driver for you, I will be more than happy to help you out in your goal. Email me your pledges (money goes to charity, of course!)
Other Practices to Do in Building Better Habits
If the rewards system doesn’t suit your lifestyle, don’t fret. You can do many other practices besides the rewards system to build better habits. Here’s some of them:
1. Keep a Habit Tracker
It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can just use an old notebook that’s lying around somewhere. Keep a list of the habits you want to do more frequently and write down how many days you have been diligently doing that habit. Seeing how responsible you are with your habits can motivate you to fill those pages even more often!
2. Start Small
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, it’s best to start small. This will make these habits more manageable instead of piling all of it on your plate at once. Make it a rule to start with a habit that takes less than two minutes to do. This makes it easy to get started. Once you’ve started, you’re more likely to continue.
3. Surround Yourself with the Right People.
Do you know that peer pressure can be good sometimes? Surround yourself with people who have similar habits or goals. Peer pressure can be a powerful motivator when it encourages positive behaviors. You can also attend social events or motivational seminars to gather insights from professionals, preferably from a positive mindset speaker.
Keep in mind that big actions aren’t always what lead to significant changes. Small wins are often the real game-changers.
Moreover, you have other options when working on developing better habits. You can keep a simple habit tracker, start with small changes, and be around people who think like you. Or you can attend events where motivational speakers, especially those who are positive mindset speakers, share helpful advice.
In simple terms, getting better at your work and business habits starts with the way you think. Whether you like rewards or consequences, or you’re trying different methods, the main thing is to stick with your plan for improvement. It’s not just about changing what you do; it’s about changing yourself, one good choice at a time.
