To Build New Habits, Get Comfortable Failing

Every year, we say we’re going to change — to build new habits or reach grand new goals. But such resolutions don’t often produce long-term change because we don’t give any thought to what it would require. Running a marathon may sound great, until your first run and you’re out of breath by your second mile. We tell ourselves this setback is something to learn from, yet we let it stall our progress.

If you want to succeed at new habits, you need first to learn to succeed at failing. First, inoculate yourself to build strength by building small experiments where you can experience small failures and bounce back from them. Second, make a commitment with someone else before your self-doubts cause you to you chicken out. Third, publicize what you’ve learned with others. Finally, keep a progress meter and allow yourself to stop when you’re at your peak.