jody fransch

‘Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.’ ~ Spanish Proverb

Believe it or not, but my year just started about 2 weeks ago. Reason being I was away from home on holiday from mid December last year up until the beginning of February this year. So now that I’m home and back into the swing of things (and no longer on holiday) I feel that my “New Year” has finally kicked off.

Just like most of you, I too began thinking of some new year’s resolutions to implement and follow through on. Over the years I’ve not had much success with my new year resolutions, by the time mid February comes they all normally are history. Let’s face it: most of us fail when it comes to sticking to resolutions — so much so that many people swear never to make resolutions again. Not good, I know.

That’s why this year I want to try something different. It’s called the 6 Changes Method by Leo Babauta.

The 6 Changes Method

Here is the gist of the 6 Changes Method:

• We only focus on one habit change at a time, so our focus and energies aren’t spread thinly.
• We implement the habit changes gradually, so we don’t run out of steam.
• We start out really, really easily, so it isn’t intimidating.
• We focus on enjoyable activities, so we don’t need “discipline”.
• We have two months to do the habit change, so if something comes up, it’s but a small bump in the road. And because we’re publicly committed, we’re going to get back on track.
• We have a very specific plan with actions built in, using proven habit change techniques.

If you stick with the method, you’ll do much better than you’ve done in the past with New Year’s Resolutions. You’ll focus on creating long-lasting habits rather than trying to reach a short-term goal that fails. You’ll maintain your enthusiasm for longer and not become overwhelmed by the difficulty of change. You’ll have habits that will change your life, and that’s no small feat.

The Method

So how does the 6 Changes method work?

It’s simple:

1. Pick 6 habits for 2010.
2. Pick 1 of the 6 habits to start with.
3. Commit as publicly as possible to creating this new habit in 2 months.
4. Break the habit into 8 baby steps, starting with a ridiculously easy step. Example: if you want to floss, the first step is just to get out a piece of floss at the same time each night.
5. Choose a trigger for your habit – something already in your routine that will immediately precede the habit. Examples: eating breakfast, brushing your teeth, showering, waking up, arriving at the office, leaving the office, getting home in the evening.
6. Do the 1st, really easy baby step for one week, right after the trigger. Post your progress publicly.
7. Each week, move on to a slightly harder step. You’ll want to progress faster, but don’t. You’re building a new habit. Repeat this until you’ve done 8 weeks.

So that’s it! Next time I’ll share with you which 6 habits I’ll be focusing on this year.

Question: What do you think about this method? What would you suggest that works for you?

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