If you are like me, then you’ve tried many times to integrate a new habit into your daily life; only to fall short because you lost motivation, it didn’t feel “relevant” to keep on doing it, or …………. (fill the blank with another excuse). In a next moment of inspiration, you would promise yourself the same, this time you were actually going to do it, until….

Sounds familiar?

When I truly desire change, I know by now that I have to prioritize 1 habit:

The habit of keeping any promise I make to myself.

If not, why bother even to start?

I know now that integrating new habits are never about just doing these habits, it is about the transformation I go through because of the habit(s). It is about creating lasting change in my way of thinking, behaving and being. And change only happens when I am persistently doing/being what I say I want to be doing/being.

In other words: I focus on keeping any promise I make to myself, instead of just the habit(s).

The Benefits

1. Building Self trust: When I consistently follow through on the promises I make, I develop trust in myself and believe in my abilities. I am building credibility with myself.
2. Improving self-discipline: I am demonstrating (to myself) that I am capable of achieving my goals and making progress.
3. Achieving goals: No matter how tough it gets, I am overcoming anything that is in the way of my transformation and goals, because I am committed to keeping my promise.
   
   

To make sure that my promises are in alignement; I get clear on these 4 questions:

1. Why do I want to do this?
2. Is it an absolute ‘Fuck Yes’ and NOT a ‘I think I should do this’, ‘I like the idea of doing it’, or ‘I want only the outcome (and not what it takes to change.)’
3. What are the specifics of my promise: What is the timeframe I commit to? What is the duration? etc.
4. Can I wholeheartedly say to myself: “I want to do this and I am going to… This is the promise I make to myself!”?

When I am clear and I make the promise, I know that there is nothing in the way of creating lasting change when I keep my promises!

To be honest it isn’t always easy, but the benefits and the transformation are worth every temporary pain or struggle.