Management Tip of the Day: Use Personal Rituals to Make Changes Stick

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile APRIL 10, 2013 Use Personal Rituals to Make Changes Stick How many times have you promised to exercise more, or start meditating, or spend less time at the office? To make changes that last, create rituals — highly specific behaviors that you do at the same time every day (or on specific days you select). Willpower is a limited resource, so use less of it by making challenging activities automatic. By setting a time for your routine, you don't have to spend energy thinking about when to get it done. If you find yourself faltering, reduce the challenge but stay the course. Run three days a week instead of four. Repetition, even in very small doses, builds capacity. Any positive change you can make will be hugely satisfying — and a source of inspiration to make the next one. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Make a Change that Lasts" by Tony Schwartz. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Work Smarter with Twitter and Hootsuite HBR Press In Work Smarter with Twitter and HootSuite, social media expert Alexandra Samuel helps you take Twitter to the next level by using the free tool HootSuite, which allows you to focus on the people whose tweets matter to you and easily establish the relationships and presence you want.This short, practical book shows you the most effective ways to use this popular system to focus on the people and relationships that are the most important to you, track tweets that matter, keep your Twitter stream free of clutter and much more. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Get Customers to Advocate for You Choose the Right Chart for Your Slide Quickly Quiet Your Mind Evaluate Remote Workers Fairly Make Yourself an Expert Strike the Right Tone in Your Writing Keep Your Company's Secrets in the Digital Age Reframe a Tough Interview Question Make Your Mission Meaningful When You Become the Boss, Build Your Credibility All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2013 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)