What Is Habit Stacking? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What Is Habit Stacking?

Your guide to building new habits that stick.

487
What Is Habit Stacking?
Pexels.com

Have you ever made a resolution to do something new, like drink more water or have vitamins everyday? I've made tons of resolutions like that, but they've never really stuck.

So when I came across S.J. Scott's book "Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take 5 Minutes Or Less" (free for Amazon Prime Members by the way), I was pretty excited.

Habit stacking, according to Scott isn’t supposed "to nag you about developing positive routines." He actually aims to show us how to create a simple routine that we are to repeat every day.

This routine is managed by a checklist so we don't have to remember all the good habits that we need to do every day. All we need to do is remember to follow the checklist.

Scott says that these little changes can have a lot of impact on your life, and you can check out the science behind being consistent with them too.

His focus is to "make giant leaps forward in your business, strengthen your personal relationships, stay on top of your finances, get organized and improve your health."


So how do you stack habits?

Check out Scott's 8 elements below:

1. Each habit takes less than five minutes to complete.

This makes sure that your tasks are easy, which makes you more likely to do them.

2. It’s a complete habit (or an action that cannot be built upon).

This means that you can't keep making it harder, like exercise. It's like drinking a glass of water when you wake up.

3. It improves your life.

That's the whole point of this exercise.

4. It's simple to complete.

Given that your tasks are short, they probably aren't too rigorous. This way you can see improvement quickly.

5. Your whole new routine takes less than 30 minutes.

This will make sure you aren't overwhelmed.

6. It follows a logical process.

An example: if you plan to drink a glass of water, brush AND floss, take out your trash from the kitchen, brush your hair, and moisturize it's probably a good idea to split the tasks into bathroom and kitchen so you don't have to move back and forth between the two rooms.

7. It follows a checklist.

This is so all you have to remember is to follow the checklist.

8. It fits your life.

This is so habit stacking makes you feel great and start your day off better!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

3624
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

3179
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments