NEW You in Charge of Yourself Series Part Ill: Identify the MicroHabit to Install

The first two articles in the ‘You in Charge of Yourself’ series have focused on building structural tension and creating a habit loop.

This week, we will share guidance on identifying the new MicroHabit you would like to install.

According to Co-founder and independent OPTAVIA Coach, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, a MicroHabit is a small doable behavior that can always be completed. The vital role of a MicroHabit is that the level of effort is so easy and simple, that daily repetition is never in question. You can always do it. It is this consistency and predictability that creates the new behavior.

In order to identify and install a MicroHabit ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it appealing? Do I want to do it? This is your level of motivation or your desire to act in the moment. You must want the outcome in order to be successful in achieving it.
• Is it achievable? Can I do it? For it to be achievable, you must be able to do it every day. This includes the days when your motivation or desire to do the action is low, but you still do it and avoid breaking the chain of daily habit installation.
• Is it easily activated? Is there a prompt that reminds me to do it? Until the habit becomes an automatic part of your daily life you will need reminders; something that triggers you to act on your MicroHabit. This is the cue in the habit loop discussed last week and can be a reminder on your phone, a specific place, or even a certain person.
• THANKS DR A!

Now that you have the questions and considerations to identify the MicroHabit you would like to install, connect with me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, so we can discuss the MicroHabit you selected to focus on and how you would like to approach it!

Remember, it takes an average of 66 days to install a new habit, so keep going!

We’ll be back next week with the final element of the series!