Four steps to changing a habit

Growing up, we've all heard that letting go of a habit is harder than picking up one. So what do we do when we have a habit we need to get rid of? Change doesn't come without some effort but there are strategies that can aid and even speed up the process.

Make a resolution
I know, we hardly ever stick to our New Year's resolutions but changing a habit takes willpower. There's no way around it. Tell yourself what you resolve to do, write it down, tell your friends and family - make sure you create sources to push you towards your endgame.

Having clear cut ideas about exactly what you want is great help. Be it on sticky notes or a notebook, lay out your plans. Do you want to stop biting your nails? Chart out the timeframe in which you wish to attain that. 

These will help you stay on track so you don't wake up and forget all about what you planned the night before. We all know we're guilty of doing that.

Prepare ahead
Sometimes jumping into things help but usually preparing ahead gets us into the mindset to tackle them better. Your preparation can be anything from buying equipment if, for example, you plan on getting fit. It can even be, as mentioned earlier, telling your loved ones because having a support system is a great way to stay motivated and on track. 

Preparing beforehand makes it easier to ease into changes as well. You become more accepting of what you're getting into and it also prevents obstacles from sidetracking you.

Create a reward system
Milestones help you monitor progress and including a reward system helps you stay motivated while you work towards your goal. Motivation is key to fueling determination and it also makes the process seem easier and overall more rewarding.
If you're trying to get into the habit of studying for longer hours, give yourself a break at pre-determined intervals. However, make sure you set a milestone while doing so. This way you know your progress and you also feel rewarded for 
what you've achieved.

And don't forget to celebrate.
Giving yourself a treat for what you've achieved and celebrating plays a large part in finding motivation to keep doing more. 

Nooha Sabanta Maula enjoys juggling many things at once and drinks her coffee cold. She can be reached at facebook.com/noohamaula