Have you ever wondered why some people seem to achieve their goals easily, while others struggle to make progress? The secret often lies in the power of small habits. These seemingly insignificant actions, when performed consistently, can lead to remarkable transformations in various aspects of life.

Small habits are like seeds that, when nurtured daily, grow into mighty trees of change. They work by gradually rewiring our brains, creating new neural pathways that create positive behaviors. This process, known as neuroplasticity, allows us to reshape our lives without the overwhelming pressure of drastic changes.

My Own Experience:

In my life, I can tell you that after surviving two strokes, for a time, I struggled with memory and cognitive skills. Yet, by actively engaging in things to challenge myself, new skills and habits formed.

Now, I realize that it seems like I’m comparing apples with oranges, two different things. I’m really not. We do nothing without the mind being a part of it, whether it is recovering from a medical event or creating better habits.

By taking action with small, incremental changes (see the next section on compounding), my writing improved, and I began a new skill: songwriting. I never saw that coming at all, but now (as of today), I have 30 published songs, with more coming.

When we are open to moving forward (even with something new), rather than sitting still, you can surprise yourself with new perceptions and skills.

The true magic of small habits lies in their compound effect. Just as compound interest can grow modest savings account into a fortune over time, consistently practiced small habits can accumulate into significant life improvements. This principle applies to personal development, career advancement, and even physical health.

Another Personal Example:

For over a decade, I worked with female abuse clients from all over the country. The various types and levels of abuse destroyed their view of their personal worth and confidence to create a better future. Many of these women were stuck in the daily abuses for 30+ years.

Through the many ways that their abuser consistently applied small bits of destructive behaviors toward them, their internal sense of value declined. A habit of seeing themselves as unworthy took root.

Through our work, I got them into a calm and safe place. They hadn’t experienced calm or safe in decades. Then, by interacting with their subconscious, I sequentially focused on their value as a person and let them see and feel what it’s like to be proud of themselves. By repeatedly compounding small successes, we gained ground and then we went after bigger successes.

You can get the same level of successes by starting small and growing your life with good habits.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to improve their lives is attempting too much too soon. This often leads to burnout and disappointment. Instead, focus on habits so small they seem almost trivial. For example, if you want a good habit of exercise, begin with just one push-up a day. The goal is to make the habit so easy that you can’t say no.

My Example:

In my case, after the strokes, I struggled with extreme dizziness. Sitting still in a perceived spinning recliner would not help me. I began going to the gym and spending time on the exercise bike and elliptical machines. At first, I needed to hang onto something. Over time, my body made small shifts and today I can spend 35-minutes on either without holding onto handles or stability rods.

Am I still dizzy? Yes, sometimes, but at a lower level because my body learned to adapt. I know that I no longer have to be held hostage to it. Through consecutive small habits, and neuroplasticity, changes started happening.

A powerful technique for incorporating new habits is “habit stacking.” This involves attaching a new habit to an existing one. For instance, if you already have a morning coffee routine, you could add a brief meditation session right after. By linking the new habit to an established one, you increase the likelihood of sticking to it.

Each time you successfully complete a small habit, you experience a sense of achievement. These small wins create a positive feedback loop, boosting your confidence and motivation. This ripple effect can spill over into other areas of your life, encouraging you to take on bigger challenges.

When you’re feeling resistant to a habit, use the “two-minute rule.” This means breaking down the habit into a two-minute version. If you want to read more, start by reading just one page. Often, once you’ve started, you’ll find it easier to continue.

Keeping track of your habits visually can be a powerful motivator. A simple calendar where you mark off each day you complete your habit creates a chain that you won’t want to break. This visual representation of your progress can be incredibly motivating.

This is really a great habit to track your successes. Unfortunately, the world is full of people looking for ways to call out your challenges and falsely label them as failures. When you keep a log of the many successes you actually have, it becomes a great motivator for you.

With my songwriting, I created a “Songwriting Production List”. This is a great motivator for me, and it’s become useful to producers that get to see my progress and new songs each month.

When the nanny goats show up and try to define you as a failure, don’t listen to them. These are the ones that make us look good on our bad days.

As you grow and change, your habits should evolve too. Regularly reassess your habits to ensure they’re still serving your goals. Don’t be afraid to adjust or replace habits that no longer fit your needs.

Sometimes, changing one key habit can trigger a cascade of positive changes in other areas of your life. For example, developing a regular exercise habit might lead to better eating choices, improved sleep, and increased productivity at work.

Remember that forming new habits takes time. Be patient with yourself and focus on consistency rather than perfection. Even if you miss a day, get back on track immediately. The goal is progress, NOT perfection.

By using the power of small habits, you can create significant, lasting change in your life. Start small, be consistent, and watch as these tiny actions compound into remarkable results. Your future self will thank you for the small steps you take today.

Let’s Keep in Touch!!

Anthony M. Davis is a Certified Leadership, Success and Stress Coach. He is a clinically trained Board Certified Hypnotherapist.

He has earned a national reputation for his Transformative Life Centering work with clients from across the nation. As a 2x stroke survivor, his unique approach helps clients remove underlying fears and triggers, and then, through coaching, helps them pursue and accomplish life and career goals.

He provides Coaching and Hypnotherapy sessions remotely through Zoom. If you have challenges and are ready to move past them, Contact him Here to create the life change you want.