Minimize Obstacles First, Then Make Improvements to Stick to Habits
When you start a new habit (or even stick with an old one), the more things get in your way, the more opportunities you have to get rid of it. Instead of trying to develop this habit at its best, focus on removing obstacles first.
As the Riskology blog on improving lives notes, obstacles are the enemy of habit. You want to start exercising, but that could mean buying sportswear (which you don’t have the money for) and finding a gym (which you don’t have time for). Except it doesn’t have to . Rather than immediately trying to get the most optimized version of the habit, take the minimum number of steps you need to get started. Once it becomes a routine, you can start improving the habit if you need to:
I successfully deal with my running habit (and completely fail with others) because I decided that the only thing that would stop me from starting a run (rep) and improving my streak (impulse) was illness. Without waiting for a good deal on the chassis. Don’t feel too busy. Nice weather. To me, none of these potential points of failure are part of the habit maintenance process. If I am alive and feel at least well enough, I work according to a predetermined schedule.
This may mean that your habits are not revolutionary changes all at once. If you do ten push-ups every day at lunchtime, that alone probably won’t help you in shape. However, it can make you think about exercising, and when you do, you can start adding exercise or developing your daily routine. Impulse is important.
Reinforce New Habit, Optimize For Repetition | Riskology via Rockstar Finance