In the spirit of the New Year, I’m here to answer the burning question that you may have…sorry, it’s not the recipe to my homemade cookies…that will remain a mystery, even to my colleagues at NAPO-GPC who I have baked them for! The true question is, how long does it really take for a habit to form? Do a Google search, like I did and you’ll find many different answers. If you’re like me, you won’t get to page 2 of your search, as you just want the clear answer!
It’s the same with New Year’s resolutions. We want what we want and we want it now! Waiting is a difficult thing, in this age where technology is fast but we want it to be even faster. Frustrations abound when there isn’t any instant gratification and hence people give their resolutions up so quickly.
So, what is that answer to: how long does it really take for a habit to form? Well, honestly, there isn’t a magic number. The consensus from the Google answers is that it takes between 21 and 28 days. I know, that can seem daunting, but there are ways to keep your goals and still have fun.
When it comes to organizing, (and I’m assuming that’s one of your goals because you are reading a blog on a site in which we help people get organized!) start small. Have you heard the quote from Francis of Assisi, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!”? If you push yourself and do too much before you’re ready for it, then you may feel like giving up. Try these simple methods to help you get organized a little bit every day, when you might not even think to, so that before you know it, it may just become your favorite habit! Well, a close second, maybe? Ha ha!
1) TV Commercial Breaks – Use these 2-3 minute chunks of time during your favorite shows to organize a shelf or a drawer.
2) On a Phone Call – You know those people in your life who just like to talk your ear off on the phone! You don’t need to neglect them, just put the caller on speakerphone and you have your hands free to straighten up a closet, hang up clothes or put away laundry.
3) While Cooking Dinner – Use this time to straighten up your kitchen counters and go through junk mail.
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4) Just pick any time! Use a timer, either a good old kitchen timer or the one from your smart phone and set it for 15 minutes. See what you can get done in that time in the area of your choice and if you feel motivated to do more, then do it! If not, then don’t!
One final tip is to keep a tote or basket handy, in a central location, for each member of the household. As you are organizing, you are bound to find items that belong to others in their bedrooms or in other rooms. Once a day, make sure that the items from the basket are brought to each respective area by the person it belongs to. With the new tips you’ve learned, you can teach everyone else in the family how to organize just a “bite” at a time too!
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I actually already do most of these ideas but to stay consistent over time is definitely the hard part.
I’ve seen anywhere from 21 days to recently reading something that it takes 6 solid months to form a habit! I think it depends on what the new habit is, how different it is from the normal routine and if you’re seeing the value add. These are great little tips! I don’t watch commercials with DVR and I do most of my talking in the car to multi-task that time, but I do need to start setting a timer and tackling organizing tasks in small chunks. Thanks!
Organizing while on the phone is HUGE. Its a waste of time to just sit and chat. I am always sorting through mail, cleaning up the bathroom, whatever I can do to clear the clutter mindlessly…