Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Glenn Brule, Program Leader and Leadership Coach at MOR Associates. Glenn may be reached at [email protected] or via LinkedIn.
Forming a new habit can feel like an uphill battle, but the key to success is not about sheer willpower—it’s about finding your personal “sweet spot.” This sweet spot is the method, timing, and motivation that align best with your natural tendencies, lifestyle, and preferences. Since no two people are exactly alike, the approach that works for one individual may not be effective for another. Understanding this can help you craft a habit-building strategy tailored just for you.
Why a One-Size-Fits-All Approach Fails
Many self-improvement guides preach universal strategies for building habits—wake up early, exercise daily, or meditate before bed. While these methods work for some, they can feel unnatural or even counterproductive for others. If a prescribed approach feels like a constant struggle, it may be a sign that it’s not aligned with your personality, energy levels, or daily rhythm.
For instance, some people thrive in structured routines, while others need flexibility. Some individuals find motivation in external accountability, while others prefer self-directed progress. Recognizing these differences is crucial in developing habits that stick.
How to Find Your Sweet Spot for Habit Formation
1. Consider Your Natural Rhythms
Consider when you feel most energetic and focused. If you’re a morning person, incorporating a new habit in the early hours may be effective. If you’re a night owl, forcing yourself into morning routines could lead to frustration and failure. Aligning new habits with your natural energy peaks increases the likelihood of consistency.
2. Choose the Right Incentives
People are driven by different incentives. Some respond well to rewards—treating themselves after achieving a goal—while others thrive on progress tracking, social accountability, or personal satisfaction. Understanding what truly motivates you can make habit formation more enjoyable and sustainable.
3. Start Small and Customize
Instead of overhauling your routine overnight, begin with manageable changes. If you want to start exercising but hate the gym, find an activity you enjoy, such as dancing, hiking, or yoga at home. Tailoring habits to your preferences increases the chances of long-term success.
4. Leverage Your Environment
Your surroundings play a crucial role in habit formation. If you want to read more, place books in visible locations. If you want to eat healthier, keep nutritious snacks within easy reach. Structuring your environment to support your habits removes unnecessary friction.
5. Experiment and Adapt
What works for you today may not work in a few months. Be open to adjusting your strategies based on what feels natural and sustainable. If a method isn’t working, tweak it rather than abandon the habit altogether.
Embracing Your Unique Path to Habit Formation
The journey to forming lasting habits isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about finding what fits seamlessly into your life. By discovering your personal sweet spot, you can develop habits that don’t feel forced but instead become an effortless part of your routine. Whether through trial and error, self-reflection, or adapting proven techniques to suit your lifestyle, the key is to make your path to habit formation a natural and enjoyable process.
In the end, the best habit-forming approach is the one that works for you.
Which strategy will be most helpful to you in evolving how you form new habits?
Last week, we asked how to best “practice the pause.”
- 37% said delaying my response
- 24% said active listening
- 20% said visual reminders
- 18% said check in, not just check boxes
Well-placed silence can be as important a part of communication as the words we choose, especially when it involves managing our own response or truly digging into what the other person is saying. We use a variety of strategies and ultimately need to each find our own sweet spot here as well.