It’s important to celebrate. (I think that’s just as true in life as it is with habits.)
When it comes to sticking to better habits, there is an important reason to always reward
yourself: we want to continue doing things that make us feel good.
And that is why it’s especially important that you reward yourself each time you practice your
new habit.
For example, if I’m working towards a new fitness goal, then I’ll often tell myself at the end of a workout, “That was a good day.” Or, “Good job. You made progress today.”
If you feel like it, you could even tell yourself “Victory!” or “Success!” each time you do your new habit.
I haven’t done this myself, but some people swear by it.
★ Floss one tooth. “Victory!”
★ Eat a healthy meal. “Success!”
★ Do five pushups. “Good work!”
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Rewarding yourself with positive self–talk can take some getting used to if you’re not someone
who typically does that. But even if it sounds silly, research has proven that the reward is an
important part of the habit process. Give yourself some credit and enjoy each small success.
Make sure that the habits you are trying to build are actually important to you.
It’s tough to find a reward in something when you’re only doing it because you think other
people expect it or would approve of it. It's your life, so make sure you're spending your time
on things that are important to you.
