The Scientific Argument for Mastering One Thing at a Time
If you want to master multiple habits and stick to them for good, then you need to figure out how to be consistent.
Here‘s how you can develop habits and change your life:
#1 Make a Plan
You are 2x to 3x more likely to follow through with a habit if you make a specific plan for when, where, and how you are going to implement it.
This is known as an implementation intention.
#2 Focus on One
You should focus entirely on one habit.
Research has found that implementation intentions do not work if you try to improve multiple habits at the same time.
#3 Practice Until Its Automatic
Research has shown that any given habit becomes more automatic with more practice.
On average, it takes at least two months for new habits to become automatic behaviors.
The counterintuitive insight from all of this research is that the best way to change your entire life is by not changing your entire life.
Instead, it is best to focus on one specific habit, work on it until you master it, and make it an automatic part of your daily life.
Then, repeat the process for the next habit.
The way to master more things in the long-run is to simply focus on one thing right now.