Have you ever felt like life is just a rush? Waking up at the last possible minute, running out the door, and barely having time to breathe before the day starts? That was me about a year ago. I used to wake up just 30 minutes before I needed to be at the office, always in a hurry, and still arriving late. I didn’t have a routine, no structure—nothing to keep me accountable.
But today, things have changed drastically. Now, I’m ready by 8 AM, 60 minutes before my day officially starts. And that shift didn’t happen overnight. It took time, patience, and stacking small habits on top of each other to create a routine that works for me. Here’s how I did it.
Step 1: Start with One Simple Habit
My journey started with a single change: incorporating regular workouts into my routine. After gaining some weight during COVID, I realized I wasn’t moving enough. I knew I needed to start small. Instead of signing up for the gym again and letting the membership go to waste (like I’d done so many times before), I committed to working out at home for just 20 minutes each day.
I didn’t buy any fancy equipment or follow complicated routines. I kept it simple—Zumba, dance workouts, anything that got me moving. To hold myself accountable, I recorded my workouts on time-lapse every day. This made me feel proud and helped me stay consistent.
Step 2: Adjust to Fit Your Schedule
As the days passed, I found it harder to maintain the evening workout routine. My job was unpredictable, and after long days, I was too tired to work out. So, I made another change—I moved my workout to the morning.
Inspired by Brian Tracy, I decided to give myself 30 minutes at the start of the day. It wasn’t always perfect. Some days, I only managed 15 or 20 minutes, but that was still progress. The key was showing up for myself every day.
Step 3: Build on the Foundation
After consistently working out for a month or two, I felt ready to push myself further. I added small weights to my routine—2.5kg to start, and eventually 5kg. I didn’t need to go to the gym because I was already proving to myself that I could stay disciplined at home.
Step 4: See the Results Beyond the Scale
Even though my weight didn’t change much at first, I saw the results in other ways. My clothes became looser, my face looked slimmer, and most importantly, I felt stronger. I had built a habit that was sustainable, and it was paying off.
Step 5: Stack Habits for Greater Success
Once I mastered the habit of working out, I didn’t stop there. I started stacking other habits on top of it, such as waking up earlier and preparing for my day with intention. Today, I’m more productive, energized, and ready to take on challenges because I’ve created a routine that works for me.
How You Can Start Building Stackable Habits
If you’re reading this, you might be in the same place I was a year ago—feeling unmotivated, without a clear routine. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Identify What You Want: In my previous blog, I talked about the power of writing down your goals in the present tense. Spend a day or two reflecting on what you really want to achieve.
2. Start Small: Pick one habit you can commit to. It doesn’t have to be a big change—maybe it’s 10 minutes of stretching every morning or drinking more water. The goal is to build consistency.
3. Hold Yourself Accountable: Find a way to stay on track. For me, recording my workouts helped, but it could be as simple as checking off a daily goal in your planner.
4. Make Adjustments: If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to tweak it. I had to shift my workout from the evening to the morning, and that’s what made the habit stick.
5. Celebrate the Wins: Each time you accomplish a small habit, celebrate it. The wins will add up, and you’ll be amazed at how much progress you’ve made over time.
If I can go from rushing through life with no routine to showing up for myself every morning, I believe anyone can. It doesn’t take drastic changes, just small, consistent steps. The journey isn’t about perfection, but about progress. So start today, stack those habits, and watch your life transform, one small step at a time.
Are you ready to take control of your day and build habits that will transform your life? Start small, just like I did. Pick one habit you can commit to this week, write it down, and take action. Share your progress with me by tagging @HON_inspires on Instagram—let’s hold each other accountable! You’ve got this, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. Start now, and a month from today, you’ll thank yourself for it!