Source: http://zenhabits.net/effortless-habits/
By Leo Babauta
Forming new habits can be life-changing — if you start meditating, create a simple exercise habit, and eat more vegetables, you health and happiness can be transformed in a matter of months.
But sticking to a habit can be difficult, because life gets in the way. And we get discouraged when the habit gets disrupted.
How can we form habits without all the struggle?
I’m going to share two strategies that I’ve found to be priceless:
Slipping into the habit; and
Leveraging your smartphone
They’re so painless you will barely feel them. And your life can be changed as a result, with very little effort.
Slipping Into the Habit
The first strategy is not to try to create a full habit, but to slide into it effortlessly.
Let’s say you want to meditate every day. Instead of setting aside 20 minutes and a meditation space for your new habit … slip into it. When you’re getting out of bed, just pause for a few seconds and pay attention to your breath. That’s it, just a few seconds.
That’s so easy you will barely notice the habit. Don’t try to become the world’s greatest meditator, don’t try to master the habit, just do a few seconds of it, and get on with your day.
After this becomes something you do without thinking about, try doing it for 30 seconds, then a minute. But don’t rush into this, take a week or two before you increase. It will seem…
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