5 Tips for Establishing Good Habits and Sticking to Them

Nikole Stewart |

Updated: Jan 8, 2025

Establishing Good Habits, Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

How many resolutions and goals have we given up on along the way? So many of us toss our goals to the side after only a few months, whether it’s about being more active or saving money. But that doesn’t have to continue this year. Establishing good habits and sticking to them doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, establishing good habits is easy if you know how to set the right goals with the right help. If you want to start to see positive change this year, here are a few tips to work on better habits.

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1. Set Small and Large Goals

To accomplish goals you have to be able to look at both the large and small picture. This means that you need to set monthly goals but you also need to set five-year goals.

For example, in terms of budgeting, outline a precise budget and how much you spend in each category. At the time, choose how much to save and what to do with the savings in the next five years. Reachable goals help you stay motivated so you don’t miss achievements.

2. Choose One Habit At a Time

One Establishing Good Habits, Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

Don’t try and change your life all at once. Be realistic and choose one goal at a time that you’d like to achieve. Don’t decide that you want to lose weight, budget, and work out every day all at once. When you have too many goals, you’re likely to water down your intention.

3. Eliminate Slip-Up Moments

establishing good habits, Unsplash+, Getty Images — Credit: Unsplash+, Getty Images

To establish good habits you have to eliminate slip-up moments. One realistic way of doing this is envisioning your long-term goal and truly and completely knowing why you want to achieve it. If you make the goal truly worth your while you’re a lot more likely to want to meet it. Additionally, focusing on one good habit at a time will prevent you from slipping up.

4. Remove Temptation

Temptation Establishing Good Habits, Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

Know your triggers and remove them when you can. For example, if you tend to snack and you want to lose weight, stop buying snacks or switch to healthy snacks. If you’re trying to budget, and window shopping causes you to spend money, stop window shopping.

5. Get Your Partner on Board

Partner Establishing Good Habits, Unsplash — Credit: Unsplash

It’s much easier to stick to a good habit when you’re both on board. If a partner is keeping you up late a night, it’s impossible to stick to a morning routine. And dieting is difficult if your partner keeps chocolate bars in the fridge.

It’s much easier to accomplish the task at hand when you’re both working toward similar goals. If you don’t live with someone, then it’s a little simpler, but if you live together, work with your partner to establish and maintain the habits you want to keep in your life. Then you’ll enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with meeting goals.