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Writer's pictureThe Productive Hack

4 Must-Try Habits to Stick to Your Plan Like a Pro

Updated: Aug 1

Keeping up with habits shouldn't be more difficult than starting them, but it often turns out that way. Once you've got a habit down pat, you tend to move on to the next one without even thinking about it. If you want to keep your habits strong, it's important to have a solid plan in place to keep them going strong.


Green turf that says Finish
Photo Courtesy of Joshua Hoehne

When you're in the process of forming a new habit, there's a whole lot of focus on that behavior. You're all about controlling and reinforcing it: keeping track of it, letting everyone know about it, and even setting up some sweet rewards. Contrary to popular belief, it's not exactly a widespread practice to come up with a detailed plan to sustain habits beyond the initial phase. If you want to make sure all your hard work doesn't go to waste, it's a good idea to consider a maintenance strategy.


1. Monthly, Weekly, and Daily Habit Tracker


Habit tracker journal
Photo Courtesy of Prophsee Journals

Making a habit of jotting down your daily activities is a must-do. Keeping track of your progress on a daily basis can really boost your motivation and help you stick to those healthy habits.


Using a habit tracker during the consolidation phase is a pretty standard practice for those who want to give their habits some extra TLC and keep them in check. Once this initial phase is over, it's important to keep things interesting to prevent attention from fading away.


It's actually a good idea to wait until you've solidified one habit before diving into the next. Trust me, it'll make things a lot easier! It's quite a hilarious situation when you find yourself encountering little to no resistance when trying to start a new habit. However, even if you've moved past that moment, certain habits remain delicate and can easily be undone if you become unfocused.


When you start getting used to a habit, it becomes a breeze to do without much effort. However, the way you feel can vary depending on the situation. What may seem effortless now could become quite challenging when faced with a difficult moment. Our habits have a tendency to lose their strength when we find ourselves in tricky situations, like a crazy work schedule, a personal dilemma, or an unexpected disruption to our routines. If you want to keep up with your established habits, the registry will be a lifesaver for you. It's a great tool to help you overcome those pesky moments that can throw you off track.


Even long-standing habits can lose their automatic nature over time. Once you overcome this challenging period, you'll need to put in the effort to regain them. Keeping a daily record can be a real game-changer. It helps you stay on top of those pesky habits that just aren't working out, giving you the chance to make a change before things go completely off the rails.


2. Monthly Business and Personal Review


Goal Review sheet on table
Photo Courtesy of Isaac Smith

So, when you're doing your monthly planning, take a moment to reflect on how your habits have been over the past month. It's always good to see where you've been and where you're headed! Keeping a daily record of habits can make this step a breeze, but it's not a must-do.

  • So, if you're into keeping track of your habits, it might be worth checking out how well you've been sticking to them. You might be surprised by the percentage of compliance you've achieved! If you notice a decrease in your progress, a string of failed days, or a rollercoaster of ups and downs, it might be time to dedicate a week to strengthening that habit.

  • Without a habit tracker or daily habit log, this task can get a bit tricky. It requires a sharp memory and a healthy dose of honesty to steer clear of self-deception. Let's take a moment to reflect on how your month has been in terms of habits. If you've noticed any areas that could use some improvement, let's come up with some specific actions to take.


3. Simple Tweaks for Maximum Impact

Some habits can stick around for quite a while, but others might require a little tweaking. In order to keep up with your habits, it's crucial to be able to spot these differences and determine if any adjustments are necessary in your behavior.


Over time, habits that are solely focused on training skills can sometimes fall a bit short. Just like with meditation or exercise, what used to be enough in terms of time or intensity may no longer cut it as your capacity grows. When this unfortunate scenario unfolds, your motivation might take a nosedive or you might find yourself succumbing to the clutches of boredom. It's always a good idea to periodically review and make adjustments to this type of habit, whether it's the timing or the intensity.


Why not spice things up with a little variety? While the core of this habit is sticking to a routine or to stick to a plan, it's worth considering some fun variations that can actually be quite beneficial. Why not mix things up a bit? Take a stroll in an unfamiliar location, give some new workouts a try, or dive into a different genre of books during your reading sessions.


4. Goal-Oriented Habits

If you want to stick to your habits, you've got to have a solid plan, seamlessly integrate them into your daily routine, and find clever ways to stay motivated. Linking your habits to your goals can be a great source of motivation to keep going.


Building personal productivity starts with the big picture and gradually narrows down to the nitty-gritty details. It's important to begin with your personal mission, vision, and objectives. So, let's talk about these elements that will help you set your goals, build your planning system, and choose habits.


To keep up with healthy and productive habits, it's crucial to connect them with your goals. It can be quite challenging to stay motivated when you don't see how your efforts align with your desired outcomes.


Man running on path
Photo Courtesy of Jenny Hill

When it comes to annual planning, it's crucial to take a moment to reflect on your objectives and consider the habits that will lead you to success. So, here's the deal: you gotta come up with an annual plan, and make sure you tie in some specific habits to each objective. Trust me, it's gonna be a game-changer! So, when you find yourself struggling to stick to your habits, just take a moment to reflect on your goals and remind yourself why that habit is so darn important.


The Bottom Line is This...

Stick to the Plan

Keeping up with habits in the long run requires more than just setting them up initially. It takes a structured approach to stay on track. If you want to keep your habits strong and beneficial, here are some tips for you: use habit trackers, do regular reviews, make adjustments when needed, and link your habits to your goals. Trust me, it's worth it! Being consistent and adaptable is crucial if you want to transform good habits into long-term routines that will help you grow personally and professionally.


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