Make a new habit

Written by Jim Chaput
After a 19-year career in financial services, Jim left a leadership position to focus on health and fitness. Jim is a Master Practitioner of Applied Movement Neurology and holds Certificates in Applied Functional Science and 3DMAPS from the Gray Institute. His passion is empowering people to help resolve the pain, tension and insomnia that prevents them from living well.

It’s often said that it takes 21 days to make a new habit. The idea is that your new behavior becomes automatic after 21 days. Is this a minimum, an average or something that sounds good so it stuck? Like most things, it depends on you.

A compelling “why” could help you make a new habit fast. When Trish learned that certain foods were likely causing long-term damage to her brain, she gave them up immediately. Decision made on day 1, no temptation and no looking back. So much for it requiring 21 days.

If you want to make a change and are still looking for a compelling why, 21 days may not be enough. One thing is sure, you need start with a different choice. The more days you make that new choice, the more likely your habit will stick.

How long does it take you to make a new habit stick?

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