Still the Sea

The older I get, the more I realize what a powerful role habits play in our lives.

B.J. Fogg is a Stanford professor and guru in the topic of “habits” – specifically, the forming of good habits. He has a “micro-habit” experiment going, which might be fun for you all to try. (I’m trying now.)

(1) Choose a good habit you’d like to cultivate.

(2) Break that down into very small, component parts. (So, if you want to floss more, you’d break the habit down into flossing one individual tooth. If you want to read more, you’d read just one sentence.)

(3) Then choose an “anchor” habit…something you do every day. Like brushing your teeth.

(4) As soon as you do that “anchor” habit, you’ll add the “micro” habit right afterwards. Like…after I brush my teeth, I’m going to floss one tooth. Or…after I turn the coffee machine on in the morning, I’ll throw in a load of laundry. The “micro” habit should be easy to do, and take no longer than 30 seconds.

(5) Do this for five days.

Fogg claims that this “tiny habits” method is the best way to teach yourself how to form good habits.

And you know, I’ve been doing it for a week now, and it’s totally working… What are some habits you’ve been wanting to form? Let us know…we’ll love the inspiration!