I’m working on Better Than Before, a book about how we can change our habits. It’s nearing completion — both thrilling and slightly terrifying. In each chapter, I identify a strategy we can use to make and break habits.

1. MY NEW BOOK ABOUT
HABIT FORMATION,
as Distilled in 21
Sentences.

3. You may think, “Twenty-one strategies! That’s overwhelming.”
It may seem like a lot, but it’s actually helpful, because you
can choose the ones that work for you. For instance,
if you’re a Rebel, you’re not likely to use the Strategy of Scheduling,
but the Strategy of Identity would work well. Or if you’re
an Obliger, the Strategy of Clarity will be much less
important than Accountability.

4. Many experts suggest one-size-fits-all solutions for habit change —
and boy, it would be great if there were one magical answer
that helped everyone. But we’re all different, so different
strategies work for different people.
In fact, that’s why the first two Strategies relate to Self-Knowledge…

5. Self-Knowledge
The Four Tendencies: To change your habits, you
have to know yourself, and in particular,
your Tendency. (Are you an Upholder,
Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel?)
Distinctions: Knowing yourself is so important that
it’s not enough to know your Tendency, you must
also recognize your Distinctions.
(For instance, are you a Marathoner or
Sprinter? Under-buyer or over-buyer? Finisher or
Opener? Novelty-lover or Familiarity-lover?)

6. Pillars of Habits
Monitoring: You manage what you monitor, so find a way to
monitor whatever matters.
Foundation: First things first, so begin by making sure to get
enough sleep, eat and drink right, move, and un-clutter.
Scheduling: If it’s on the calendar, it happens.
Accountability: You do better when you know someone’s
watching– even if you’re the one doing the watching.

7. The Best Time to Begin
First Steps: It’s enough to begin; if you’re ready, begin now.
Clean Slate: Temporary becomes permanent,
so start the way you want to continue.
Lightning Bolt: A single idea can change the habits of
a lifetime, overnight. (Enormously powerful, but hard
to invoke on command.)

8. Desire, Ease, and Excuses
Abstaining: For some of us, moderation is too tough; it’s easier to give up something
altogether. (Works very well for some people, and not at all for others.)
Convenience: Make it easy to do right and hard to go wrong.
Inconvenience: Change your surroundings, not yourself.
Safeguards: Plan to fail.
Loophole-Spotting: Don’t kid yourself.
(The funniest strategy. I love collecting loopholes.)
Distraction:Wait fifteen minutes.
Reward: The reward for a good habit is the good habit, and that’s the reward to give
yourself. (The most misunderstood strategy.)
Treats: It’s easier to ask more of yourself when you’re giving more to yourself.
(The most fun strategy.)
Pairing: Only do X when you’re doing Y. (Simple but surprisingly effective.)

9. Unique, Just like Everyone Else
Clarity: The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely
you are to stick to your habits.
Identity: Your habits reflect your identity, so if you struggle to
change a particular habit, re-think your identity.
Other People: Your habits rub off on other people, and
their habits rub off on you.

10. Download My Free
Habits Manifesto
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Learn more tips for a happier life and healthier habits
at GretchenRubin.com