Why Most Habits Don’t Stick
You’ve been here before: You set new habits, feel motivated, and start strong.
But then life gets busy… and the habits fade away.
It’s not because you didn’t want to improve or because you’re unmotivated - I know you went in with the best of intentions.
The problem is…you built habits without building structure.
People often rush in thinking they know what needs to be done, load up a hefty to-do list, and fail at the first hurdle.
I can promise you now, if you follow the steps laid out below you will achieve. It’s not complex, and it shouldn’t be.
Let’s get clear and fix your habit building step by step.
1. Start With Goals, Not Habits
I see this all the time (and I’ve done it myself in the past). You cut right to the action - the habits or “to-do list” without first taking the time to set your goals.
Goals are the outcome - they are what you want to achieve. Habits support the goal - these are the consistent, small actions you take to get to where you want to be.
Most people start by listing things they think they “should” do:
Eat healthier. Read daily. Go to the gym.
But if those habits don’t connect to a clear outcome, they won’t last.
Start with clarity and ask yourself 3 simple questions:
What’s my goal?
Why does it matter?
When do I want to achieve it?
Get as specific as possible. Clarity makes it easier to choose the 1-2 habits that truly move the needle.
Here’s an example of someone looking for promotion or the next level up:
Goal: Get promoted or a new job as Head of Marketing.
Why?: I want to earn more money and continue to climb the corporate ladder for future success in this field.
Timeline: 12 months.
When habits are tied to meaningful goals, they stop feeling like chores and start feeling like tools for progress.
2. Do Less, Start With the 1% Method
That’s right…do less! A big mistake at this point is trying to change everything at once.
They add five new habits, overhaul their routine, and expect instant transformation.
The result? Overload, burnout, and inconsistency.
The 1% Method flips this completely. Start small, master one habit, then stack the next.
Using our promotion example earlier, some initial habits could be:
1. Weekly Impact Review: Spend 30 minutes each Friday tracking wins, lessons, and results to build visibility and proof of progress.
2. Weekly Skill Upgrade: Dedicate 20 minutes a week to sharpening leadership or marketing strategy skills that make you promotion-ready.
Some other simple habits outside of this example:
Want to become a writer? Begin with 2 minutes of daily journaling.
Want to get healthier? Commit to one short workout a week.
Want to become less stressed? Start with 1 minute of daily meditation.
The goal isn’t intensity, it’s consistency.
Because 1% progress done regularly compounds into massive results over time.
3. Choose Habits You Can Actually Do
Ambition is good. Unrealistic expectations aren’t.
If your new habit requires too much effort, time, or setup, it’s unlikely to stick.
Habits grow best when they start small and feel achievable.
Start where you are, not where you wish you were.
Ask yourself: “Can I do this even on my worst day?” If the answer is yes, it’s the right place to start!
Keep success simple. Make the next step obvious.
4. Review Your Progress Every Week
You can’t improve what you don’t review.
A simple weekly reflection helps you spot patterns early:
Which habits did I complete this week?
Which ones slipped and why?
What can I change next week to get better sticking to my habits?
This is an exercise in awareness - be honest with yourself and you’ll see real progress over time.
Even five minutes of review creates accountability and helps you stay consistent long-term.
5. Build Accountability
On that point…accountability is key. Even the most disciplined people need accountability.
You can seek accountability in a few different places:
A friend or family member checking in weekly
A coach who tracks your progress
A digital community where you share wins and setbacks
When someone else knows what you said you’d do, you’re far more likely to follow through.
Accountability turns intention into action.
Final Thought
Structure beats motivation, hands down. When you combine the steps I’ve noted above, you create a system that carries you forward, even when you don’t feel like it.
Set one clear goal.
Build 1-2 habits that support it.
Start small.
Review weekly.
Stay accountable.
Do this consistently, and you’ll finally close the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” - Jim Rohn
Til next time, Joseph @ 1% Growth
