“What am I doing wrong?” is, of course, a question we’ve all had to ask ourselves at some point in our lives. It can feel a bit like you’re a hamster on an endless wheel when it comes to organizing your home because life is constantly in flux and constant REorganization is inevitable. Do you want to know what will make the endless task of organizing more bearable? ROUTINE! Organization will become second-nature and feel less like a never ending to-do list item if you create household routines that stick. And it must be your lucky day because we’re here to share our professional tips to do just that!

Most routines fail because they’re too ambitious. To have the most success creating routines that turn into natural habits: start SMALL! Small actions = lower mental resistance! For example, instead of working out every day for 45 minutes, you are more likely to follow through on a new routine if you begin with a smaller goal such as: “get in five minutes of movement after waking up”.

It’s best to start off easy so you can’t/won’t say, “no”. Once a habit becomes automatic and you are doing it without thinking, you can begin to increase your goal! And when your new habit is stable and automatic/consistent? Then you can begin layering one on top of another. This will lead to entirely new and revamped routines! Be sure not to try to change everything about your routines all-at-once, though! You’ll have more success sticking to the new habits if you pick one high-impact routine and start there.

YES! You are, in fact, even more likely to have new routines stick if you “attach” them to your existing habits! If you attach a new routine to one that is already automatic, you are more likely to remember to do it. So, to make a new routine stick, attach it to something you already do daily. Floss immediately after you brush your teeth in the morning, review your to-do list while you drink your morning coffee, get 15 minutes of your audio book in on your commute to work, etc. Eventually the new routine will also become automatic!

Ironically, you’re more likely to stick to new routines if you focus less on your motivation and more on the TIME and PLACE of the routine. Setting a specific time and place for the routine you want to make habitual will create a stronger cue for you to do it. You want your surroundings to make good routines easier… not more difficult! For example, put your workout clothes next to your bed so they are readily available when you wake up. When setting a desired action your goal is to set a path of least resistance. So, keeping workout clothes near your bed creates an easy path to moving your body first thing in the morning. Charge your phone away from your bedside at night so a bad routine (waking up and scrolling aimlessly) becomes harder.

You need to plan for low-motivation days because they will inevitably come up. Have a plan in place so you don’t lose momentum or the habit altogether. Create a “bare minimum” version of the new routine you’re hoping to make stick. If you have an off day or get tired? Do the minimum! The goal is to always do some version of the habit to keep it intact. For example, instead of a 30-minute workout, opt for squeezing in five push-ups and 5 sit-ups on a low-motivation day.

When creating new routines, it helps to adjust weekly. Once a week, review what worked, anything that might have been too difficult, or something that needs to be simplified. Routines should be treated like an experiment, not a rigid rule. The more difficult you make it on yourself, the harder it will be to keep it going. Allow for slight flexibility and have a plan ready for days it feels like too much.

Rewarding yourself for success and tracking your goal-achievement progress will make new habits truly stick as part of your routine. Use a habit tracking app to visually track your progress. If you prefer a written calendar or planner, you can mark a “✅” or “🙂” when you accomplish your new task each day, or, simply mark an “X” on days you fall short. This creates a visual record of your streak and will increase motivation. Building up momentum also helps develop motivation, so having a visual of where you are at each day/week/month will help you keep going.

Make it a habit to never miss doing it two days in a row – even if you need to just do the minimum on the second day! Occasionally taking one day off is normal, but more than that will create a new pattern and reinforce a bad habit. Your brain will continue to repeat things when it feels rewarding so reward yourself any time you show up, complete the routine, and stay consistent.

Still struggling to stay consistent? Trying to build new habits, but they haven’t quite found their place in your day yet? Often, it’s not about motivation, but more about the environment around you. The spaces we live and work in can either support our routines or quietly work against them. By shaping your surroundings with intention, you can make everyday habits feel more natural and sustainable.

Need someone to help rework your space to better support your goals and routines? Give us a call or reach out. Our professionals are (quite literally) trained to shape an environment that makes your habits easier to follow and your routines feel natural. Together, we can turn today’s goals into tomorrow’s routine that sticks!

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Tonia