The Habit Hobby

A friend of mine, Rachael, wants to start exercising daily. She asked me for tips on how to stick with it and make it a habit, as she tends to give up after a couple weeks. Mysore practitioners are skilled habit-makers, so I was so glad she asked! Here's what I told her:

• Start Small: To build a habit, you need to be consistent. That's easier if the plan is doable. 

• Pick a Time: Designate a specific time each day for your practice. This eliminates the exhausting mental debates of "Should I or shouldn't I work out?"  Your mental resources become depleted with each decision you make.  Save your cognitive power and commit. So, at 7AM (for example), it's workout time—no internal negotiations. 

• Find a buddy: To stay accountable and find support, share your goal with a friend or join a community with similar goals.

What I didn't mention, but I hope my friend discovers, are two transformative advantages of cultivating a practice. 

→ Firstly, you start recognizing yourself as your most dependable friend who consistently shows up for herself. 

→ Secondly, you gain control over your life as you change the narrative from 'I don’t have time' to 'I prioritize what matters most.'