Are Your Habits Tiny Enough?
A good rule of thumb is that it should take less than 30 seconds to complete your behavior, especially when you are brand new to the Tiny Habits method. Your habit should be something that you could very likely do even on a day that you are super busy or not feeling well.
Start With a Starter Step?
Absolutely! A starter step such as putting on your walking shoes or sitting in your meditation spot for 3 breaths can work very well. Remember–the habit should be your minimum baseline and you can always do more if you feel like it! As BJ often points out, anything extra is “extra credit.”
Why So Small?
We are aiming for consistency and automaticity so that our habits become wired into our daily routine. A well wired habit is one you can easily pick up again (for example, after returning from a vacation) and one that you rarely miss. If you do have a disruption in your routine and miss a day, you can easily pick up the very next day without skipping a beat, and without freaking out.
Can Such a Small Habit Have Any Impact?
Again, my answer is a resounding “YES!” One of my most effective habits happens to be my habit of holding a plank for 5 breaths after I turn out the bathroom light. I also have a well-wired water drinking habit so I have the opportunity to hold a plank many times throughout the day. I noticed my stomach muscles getting stronger after only a few days! It is really amazing how such a quick exercise done several times a day can really add up quickly and make a huge impact over time.
