What is the secret ingredient of establishing new healthy habits, and sticking with them?
You might have invested your time watching countless YouTube videos on habit forming and read books, including the excellent Atomic Habits by James Clear, yet here you are, still struggling to stick with the commitments you made.
There is one single ingredient to sticking with your habits and it's not motivation or better systems.
It's alignment with your purpose.
Why do you want to do this thing you have decided to do?
But don't ask yourself this question only once, because you will answer it only superficially. Ask it several times.
e.g. You want to write a book.
Why? Because I have ideas worth sharing.
OK, but why do you want to share your ideas?
Because I feel I want to leave a legacy.
And why do you want to leave a legacy?
Because I want to make a dent in the universe (quoting Steve Jobs here...) and feel like I have contributed to a better world.
Additionally, ask yourself:
How does it align with my values?
See how the idea of writing a book starts aligning with your higher purpose and deeper motivation? This will give you a have a stronger hook than just a commitment based on superficial reasons, especially when your motivation will start dwindling.
I created the graphic below to help you remember the full process.
You can print it and stick it somewhere where you see it often to remind yourself of it.
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