Whatever new habit you choose to embrace , be sure to make it highly specific and easily measurable .

For example ...

Do not say : “ I want to eat better .” This is basically code for : “ I don ’ t want to commit to anything in a specific way .”

Say instead : “ I will start eating vegetables and fruits for snacks .”

Basically , when you ’ re crystal clear about the specifics of a new habit change , you ’ re more likely to adopt it and / or drop it !

Sometimes you feel ready for change only after you start to change your behavior . So , don ’ t try to change your mind in order to change your behavior . Change your behavior to change your mind .

There ’ s a famous expression attributed to Martin Luther King Jr .: “ You don ’ t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step .”

Just start climbing with small steps . Eventually , you will see the staircase of happy change emerge in front of you .

Habit research reports that you should “ stack ” a new habit you want to create alongside an already-existing habit .

For example , let ’ s say you are a coffee drinker who wants to do morning yoga .

Before going to sleep , put your yoga clothes in the kitchen - right near your coffeepot . When you wake up and drink your coffee , you will see your yoga gear right smack in your face .

Be sure to personalize the habit you want to stack — so it ’ s as persuasive as possible for you ! Pick a habit that you already regularly do and brainstorm how to best “ merge ” a new habit with it .