creating habits + working backwards from the future

the first monday of the new year. i just browsed one of the blogs i follow regularly, zen habits - and came across some notes on habits, and a guide on how to stick to new year's resolutions: basically by breaking them into small steps, and turning them into habits:

- Pick 6 habits for 2010.
- Pick 1 of the 6 habits to start with.
- Break the habit into 8 baby steps, starting with a ridiculously easy step.

reading this made me remember 2 blog posts i read 2 years ago, and copied on a page back then. the first was from Reb Livingston's blog (she is editor of NoTellMotel). this is what she wrote:

“Getting a jump start on 2007 resolutions --

1. Focus and work harder on outstanding projects.

2. Take better care of my health.

I try not to make unrealistic resolutions, mine are more in the vein of improvements. There was an AOL VP of Member Services (i.e. customer service) who was all about 1% improvements. The idea is we can always make a 1% improvement from what we're doing now and if we keep doing that, over time, wa-la, the noticeable difference.”
(link)

i liked that: not planning to take huge steps, but take 1% turns.

and another interesting page, about habits: an essay from Shelley Stile, who works with people who face changes in their life.

here's a passage that sums the essay up in 2 paragraphs:

“Seek to develop new habits. If your life was run by bad habits then conversely it can be run by good habits you consciously choose. To develop a habit you simply must stick with for about three months and you are home safe. Just create the picture of what you want your behavior to look like and list ten habits that will get you to that picture of yourself.

It works the same with your life. Where would you like to be in ten years in terms of who and what you are and what you are doing? Think of ten habits that will get you to that Future Self and start today in adopting those guideposts. Work backwards from the future.”
(article, shelley's blog)
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