How long does it take you to build a habit?

February 13, 2025
3:37 PM

Last night, there was a heavy snowfall in my city, making it nearly impossible to drive anywhere safely. When I woke up in the morning, I didn't think much of it and got ready to go to the gym. On my way, my car slipped at every turn. While my gym was only a few minutes away, there was a car accident blocking the road, police officers directing traffic, and ambulance sirens ringing from a mile away.

While I went and came back from the gym safely, it took me 3 times longer than any other day. I wouldn't have left my house if I had known the road conditions were so poor. However, it taught me something important about developing new disciplines.

The most difficult part of building new habits isn't doing them every day, but breaking the pattern of deciding whether to do them. Once developed, a habit is automatic and effortless because you don't waste energy considering whether to practice it. You may even look forward to it as it creates a sense of structure that holds your life together. It's struggling to decide what to do, when to do it, and how to do it that drains your energy.

If you are working to build a new discipline in your life, know regardless of whether it's the first day or 3rd month, there will be many days when it doesn't feel like a habit. However, what changes isn't the difficulty, but your relationship with doing the task. As long as you are looking for reasons not to get it done, you will find them. Don't burn yourself out by making the same decision day after day. Instead, make one decision to build a habit, and when you remember to do it, follow through.

4:26 PM
Chris X