I came across a mind-blowing study recently about New Year’s resolutions. You know, the grand declarations we make about eating healthier, exercising more, and all that jazz. Well, what caught my attention is that a whopping 80% of these resolutions bite the dust within just six weeks. Crazy, right?
Bonjour, in this video, I’m excited to share a simple tip for creating new habits that truly stick.
Every six months, I drag myself to the dentist for that checkup and cleaning session. Now, I’m diligent about brushing my teeth every day. But there’s a tiny hiccup – I don’t floss as often as I should. So, like clockwork, the dentist pats me on the back and says, “Good job with the brushing, Cyril, but you’re not flossing.”
Every time I leave that dental appointment, I’m all fired up. I start flossing like a champ. The first day is a breeze, the second, not too bad either. But you know what happens next? Within a week, it all goes downhill, and my flossing habit becomes history. This cycle went on for far too long.
Then, a few years back, I stumbled upon a book called “Tiny Habits” by BJ Fogg. This man is the director of the Behavior Lab at Stanford University, and he’s got this straightforward model called MAP: Motivation, Ability, and Prompt.
BJ’s golden nugget of wisdom? Motivation is the least reliable factor when it comes to habit change. It’s a rollercoaster. Some days it’s sky-high, others it’s in the dumps. Instead, he highlights ability and prompt. Make your habit so ridiculously simple that it’s a no-brainer to do, and attach it to something you already do or a reminder you won’t forget.
He used the example of flossing, suggesting that you start by committing to flossing just one tooth. One single tooth! I was intrigued and decided to give it a shot. I left my floss right next to my toothbrush because I knew I wouldn’t forget it when I brushed my teeth. One tooth – that was my tiny goal.
And you know what? It worked. I’ve been flossing regularly for years now. Sometimes I only do one tooth, and you know what? I’m genuinely thrilled with that one tooth because it’s a win. Most of the time, I manage to do half my teeth. This shift in perspective has completely transformed my approach to building habits.
So, my question for you is this: What’s that one habit that could make a real difference in your life? And how can you make it so tiny, so manageable, that you’ll stick with it?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
I hope you enjoy it.
Have a good brush and floss!
A bientôt,
Cyril
