Change your habits in 21 days with the 21/90 rule

Do you know the 21/90 rule? This rule states that it takes 21 days to make a goal a habit and 90 days to implement it permanently into your lifestyle. 

Is there a change you would like to make in your lifestyle? Then make sure you keep it up for 21 days. You have now created a habit. If you keep it up for 90 days, it will already have become part of your lifestyle! Are you ready to make positive changes? Here are some tips to keep you in the moment!

Set your goal
Decide what you want to achieve or change. This can be a personal goal, but of course it also works for your professional goals! Write this goal down. Use a Post-It, set it as a reminder on your phone or on your calendar. Make sure it is clearly visible so you know you will see it a few times every day. This way you will keep yourself busy subconsciously and this will help you focus on your goal. Don't shy away from starting. Take it day by day! 

Make a plan
In your planning, write out the steps you will take to make your goal achievable. For example, if your goal is to be more physically active, you could write down three activities you will do this week. Or call that friend who is going for a run. Planning clear times and dates will help you to stick to them. It breaks down your goal into achievable targets, and this is more likely to lead to success. Making plans with people who have the same goals can also be a good way to stay motivated. That is why Physicum is here for you! 

Focus
Keep the focus on those achievable goals that make up the new habit! Remember that you cannot do everything! So focus on the one activity you will do today or tomorrow, and the rest will follow.

Commitment
To establish a habit, it is important to be truly committed to your goal. You have to really want it, and the only way to make the 21/90 rule work is to stick to your plan day after day. Be strict with yourself sometimes! 

Be realistic
This brings us to the next point: be honest with yourself and assess yourself properly. Know where your weakness is and try to avoid it or work with it. To speak with Confusius: "When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps."
So don't throw your goals completely out the door on the days when things get tough. You will find some obstacles along the way, that's just part of it. Don't be alarmed but adjust some steps or the whole plan. Remember, you started for a reason. The destination remains the destination; it is the course that may need to be adjusted.

Repeat
Give yourself a pat on the back! You've made it to 21 days. It is now time to adjust your rules. You now have a better idea of where you went wrong, and who or what helped you to stick to your plan. Of course, you can use the 21/90 rule over and over again to achieve your goals, pick up (or maybe unlearn?!) habits and change your lifestyle.

See this blog as the start of 21 days of consistency, willpower and perseverance! What would you like to change something in your personal or professional life? We know you can do it!