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Building a new habit often sounds harder than it has to be. Instead of relying on willpower, a subtle tweak can make habits almost automatic: pairing a new behavior with something you already do every day.

A Small Shift That Makes Habits Stick

This method is known as “habit stacking”, and it works because your brain loves patterns. If you already have a morning coffee routine, for example, you can add a one-minute stretch right after pouring your cup. The key is chaining your new habit to a stable anchor—the kind of action you do regularly without much thought.

Here are a few ways to make habit stacking more effective:

• Choose anchors that are truly consistent. “After I brush my teeth” is better than “after I check email,” since you don’t always check emails at the same time—but you (hopefully) brush your teeth daily.
• Start small, then build up. If your goal is to read more, try opening a book for just two minutes after lunch. Once it becomes autopilot, gradually increase the time.
• Reinforce the chain with a visual cue. A post-it on your mirror or a note near your coffee maker can nudge you at the right moment.

It helps to treat building habits a bit like engineering, not like a test of character. You design a process, and the process keeps you on track. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, for example, followed rigid “before the pool” routines every day—not because he lacked commitment, but because routines removed decisions from the equation.

Want a specific next step? Identify one daily action you never skip, then attach a new, tiny habit to it. Keep it so small that it would feel silly not to do. (Brushing teeth? Add a squat. Pouring coffee? Drink a glass of water right after.)

"Small, reliable shifts beat grand promises every time."

— Leon, Founder & CEO, LifeHack

LifeHack All-Access: Get More From Your Habits

If you’re looking to design more smart routines—or want help from an AI Life Coach for habit ideas—take a look at LifeHack All-Access. You’ll find tools to help you set, track, and maintain better habits with less friction:

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