365 Days With Self-Discipline: 365 Life-Altering Thoughts on Self-Control, Mental Resilience, and Success

Day 142: On Keystone Habits

Typically, people who exercise, start eating better and becoming more

productive  at  work.  They  smoke  less  and  show  more  patience  with

colleagues  and  family.  They  use  their  credit  cards  less  frequently  and  say

they feel less stressed. Exercise is a keystone habit that triggers widespread

change.

—Charles Duhigg

 

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A  keystone  habit  is  a  habit  that  results  in  other  positive  changes  in

your  life  without  directly  focusing  on  them.  For  example,  the  decision  to

start  exercising  will  affect  your  diet,  productivity,  patience,  and  overall

well-being.

Instead of focusing on several different habits, you can concentrate on

making one change and, as if by magic, it will lead to other improvements

that are introduced virtually without effort.

If you want to get the best return on your efforts, focus on establishing

keystone  habits  first  and  only  work  on  other  routines  when  you  already

have  established  the  keystone  habits  as  habits.  Some  keystone  habits

include:

- regular exercise;

- making your bed every morning;

- tracking what you eat;

- saving money;

- meditation;

- waking up earlier;

- expressing gratitude;

- regularly getting enough quality sleep ;

- trying a new thing every day.

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