Nearly 2 months since the first of the year, we should be well on our way to realizing our new year’s resolutions. Are you still exercising regularly, eating better or getting more sleep?
It is routinely stated as
“Scientific Evidence” that it requires 21 days to create a new habit. Where is the proof?
This mythical number may have arisen from the 1960 book
“Psycho-Cybermetics” by a plastic surgeon,
Dr Maxwell Maltz, who noted amputees took, on average, 21 days to adjust to the loss of a limb. From his observations he hypothesized that people took 21 days to adjust to any major life change.
This correlation between adapting to a permanent physical change and altering ones lifestyle choices is a major leap.
Realistically, there are just too many variables in play with most lifestyle changes to think that they all are on a linear path toward the magical 21 days.
A study published in
The European Journal of Social Psychology showed that it took participants of the study from 18 to 254 days to create a 95% involuntary habit. This indicated a considerable variation in how long it takes people to reach their limit of
automaticity and underscored the fact that it can take a very long time.
Here are some basics to keep in mind when trying to change habits.
1. One habit at a time
2. Start small
3. Give yourself ample time
4. Write out your habit and your goal
5. Tell others of the habit change, be very specific
6. Make sure you define your motivation factor
7. Understand the obstacles to the change and plan how to counter them
8. Missteps happen to everyone, stay persistent
