If you struggle to stay consistent with your habits then this post is for you! This post will show you how to build habits that stick with simple, game-changing strategies!
Knowing how to build habits that stick completely changed my life. It transformed my health journey, helped me lose 20kg, improved my daily routines, and even helped me grow my online business. I realised that lasting change doesn’t come from making huge, unrealistic changes overnight — it comes from building small, consistent habits that fit into your lifestyle and support the goals you want to achieve.
Whether you’re trying to improve your health, become more productive, start exercising, eat better, or create a better daily routine, the habits you build are what create long-term results. The key is choosing habits that you genuinely enjoy, that feel achievable, and that you can maintain even when life gets busy.
However, simply knowing which habits you want to create isn’t enough. Many of us start with motivation, set goals, and make big plans, but struggle to stay consistent after a few weeks. The real challenge is learning how to make habits stick so they become a natural part of your everyday life.
Understanding how habits are formed, how to change habits permanently, and how to create habits that stick can help you move away from the cycle of starting over and finally build routines that last.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing 5 simple strategies that helped me build healthy habits that stick, stay consistent, and create lasting changes in my life. These are practical, realistic tips that you can start implementing today to build habits that support the healthier and happier version of yourself you’re working towards.
This post is all about how to build habits that stick!
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5 Tips On How To Make Habits Stick
1. Habit Stacking
One of the most effective ways to build habits that stick is through a technique called habit stacking. This method was popularised by James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, which is a book I highly recommend if you are serious about creating lasting habits and changing your routines.
Habit stacking works by attaching a new habit you want to build to an existing habit you already do consistently. Instead of trying to find extra time or relying on motivation, you use something that is already part of your daily routine as a trigger for your new habit.
For example, if you want to build a healthy habit of drinking more water, you could stack this with a habit you already do every morning. Making breakfast or making your morning coffee is already part of your routine, so you could use that as a reminder to drink 500ml of water before starting your day.
This is exactly what I do. Every morning while I’m making breakfast, I sip on my 500ml water with electrolytes. Because I attached this new habit to something I already did daily, it became automatic — and it’s now a habit I have been able to stick to for years without even thinking about it.
The key to creating habits that stick is making them as easy and natural as possible. Instead of adding a completely new task into your day, attach it to something you already do.
Simple habit stacking examples:
- After brushing my teeth = I will do my skincare routine
- Whilst making my morning coffee = I will drink a glass of water
- After putting my children to bed = I will spend 10 minutes reading
- After finishing work = I will go for a walk
Small changes like these make it much easier to build healthy habits that actually last.
2. Be Flexible (Don’t Aim for Perfection)
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to build habits is believing they have to do everything perfectly. They create a plan, miss one day, and immediately feel like they have failed — which often leads them to give up completely.
But the truth is, consistency does not mean perfection.
Life happens. Some days you will have less energy, unexpected plans will come up, or things simply won’t go the way you expected. Learning how to adapt is one of the most important parts of learning how to make habits stick long term.
For example, if your goal is to workout for 30 minutes, 3–5 times per week, but one day you have zero energy, being flexible is key. Instead of skipping it completely, try:
- Following the 10-minute rule — commit to just 10 minutes and often you’ll find you have the energy to continue
- Lowering the intensity or using lighter weights
- Doing a shorter workout instead
- Moving your workout to another day if needed
The same applies to other healthy habits. If the weather is bad and you can’t go for your usual walk, do a YouTube walking workout at home. If you don’t have time to cook your usual healthy meal, choose the next best option.
The goal is not to have a perfect routine. The goal is to create a routine you can maintain through real life.
I love the quote: “Change the plan, not the goal.”
Being flexible allows you to keep moving forward instead of giving up whenever things don’t go perfectly.
3. Tackle the Hardest Habit First
When it comes to building habits that stick, I always recommend prioritising your hardest or most important task first.
When you complete something challenging at the start of your day, it creates a sense of accomplishment and builds confidence. That positive momentum can make you much more likely to follow through with your other habits throughout the day.
For example, if your main goal is to exercise consistently, but you always find yourself too tired after a busy day, try making your workout a priority earlier in the day. Once it’s done, you’ll have that feeling of achievement instead of carrying the guilt of putting it off.
This doesn’t mean you need to have a perfect morning routine or wake up at 5am. It simply means identifying the habit that matters most and giving it your best chance of success.
Ask yourself:
“What is the one habit that would make the biggest difference in my day if I completed it?”
Start there.
4. Use a Habit Tracker to Stay Accountable
One of the best ways to build habits that stick is by tracking your progress.
Not everyone has someone who can hold them accountable, so creating your own accountability system is incredibly important. A habit tracker allows you to clearly see the habits you are trying to build and gives you that satisfying feeling of ticking them off at the end of each day.
You can track simple habits like:
- Drinking enough water
- Getting your daily steps in
- Eating a protein-rich breakfast
- Moving your body
- Practising self-care
- Reading for 10 minutes
Seeing your progress visually can be incredibly motivating and helps you stay consistent, especially on days when motivation is low.
I personally love using habit trackers because they remind you that small actions add up over time.
Download my FREE habit tracker (inside my weight loss starter kit) that you can use to start building healthy habits, stay accountable, and create routines that support your goals.
5. Reward Yourself
One of the easiest ways to make habits stick is by creating a positive association with them.
Our brains naturally repeat behaviours that feel rewarding, which is why celebrating your progress is such an important part of habit formation. This doesn’t mean you need a huge reward every time you complete a habit — even small rewards can help reinforce the behaviour.
For example:
- After completing your workouts for the week = enjoy a relaxing bath or self-care evening
- After sticking to your morning routine = enjoy your favourite coffee
The reward helps your brain recognise that the habit is something positive, making you more likely to continue doing it.
Remember, building habits is not about punishing yourself into becoming a “better” version of yourself. It’s about creating routines that make you feel good and support the life you want to live.
Other Posts You’ll Find Helpful:
- 30 Day Self Improvement Challenge
- 9 Powerful Mindset Shifts For Success
- 10 Personal Development Habits To Transform Your Life
This post was all about how to build habits that stick!
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