We all know how to get results.
Consistency.
But how do we achieve consistency?
Willpower, right?
Wrong.
Willpower is a limited resource. If we rely on it to force ourselves into action every day, we’ll quickly burn out, fall back into old routines, and end up frustrated—lowering the chance that we’ll even try again.
So, how do we stay consistent?
Simple.
Habits.
Willpower vs. Habit
Make no mistake—willpower is essential for getting started. But it should never be your primary tool for staying consistent.
Think of it like this:
Imagine you buy a state-of-the-art coffee machine with all the bells and whistles. You want a cappuccino, but you have no idea how to use it, so you spend five minutes reading the instructions. Eventually, you make your coffee—and it’s amazing.
Now, imagine that every time you wanted a coffee, you had to read the instructions again.
No matter how good the coffee is, you’d eventually stop using the machine altogether. It’s just too much effort.
That’s what happens when we rely on willpower alone.
It can help us get started, but if we have to consciously force ourselves to take action every day, we’ll eventually quit.
That’s where habits come in.
Think about how many things you do automatically every day:
Brushing your teeth
Tying your shoelaces
Making your morning coffee
If every single one of these tasks required active decision-making, you’d never get anything done. Habits exist to free up mental energy so you can focus on bigger things.
Left unchecked, bad habits will keep you stuck.
But when designed with purpose, habits can be the catapult that launches you to success.
What Is Habit Stacking?
Now that we understand the power of habits, how do we introduce new ones into our lives?
Enter habit stacking—a concept first coined by S.J. Scott in the early 2000s.
Habit stacking is the process of linking a new habit to an existing one, so that over time, the new habit becomes just as automatic as the old one.
For example, if you want to add daily affirmations to your routine, the perfect time would be right after you brush your teeth.
At first, this requires conscious effort. You’ll have to remind yourself. But soon, it will become second nature—you’ll spit out your toothpaste, then find yourself saying your affirmations without even thinking about it.
Once a new habit is locked in, you can add another.
And another.
And another.
That’s the beauty of habit stacking—it allows you to build a powerful routine effortlessly.
Mastering Success Through Habit Stacking
Willpower and discipline will get you started, but only through mastering habit formation will you achieve true, lasting success.
Habit stacking is one of the most effective ways to build momentum, automate discipline, and create a system for success.
But don’t just take my word for it—seize the day and see for yourself!
Want to Build High-Performance Habits?
If you’re ready to take your self-discipline to the next level and build powerful habits that create lasting success, my coaching programs are designed to help you unlock your full potential.