Tiny Habits for Massive Growth
What if I told you that this one small change could not only revolutionize your health AND business at the same time? Would you believe me? We’re about to find out.
We talk about Tiny Habits in the Wellness Space all the time as a method of improving our health & wellness. It’s about starting lifestyle changes with teeny tiny habits, so small you could barely notice them - until those become so dreadfully routine and boring that you have no choice other than to increase those at a barely noticable pace… until it happens again, and again, and again.
In the Wellness World, the concept of Tiny Habits is ever-growing in popularity because of it’s sustainablity. Attempting to overthrow your lifestyle in the desire to become “healthier”, all at once, is a tried-and-failed routine for many. It’s just. not. sustainable.
What happens when you start applying Tiny Habits not only to your life but to your business?
The Power of Tiny Habits
The concept of tiny habits might seem modern, but it’s rooted in psychological principles that have been studied for decades. The idea that small, incremental changes can lead to significant transformations is a cornerstone in behavioral psychology, found throughout the work of researchers and practitioners globally.
Historical Perspective
The formalization of tiny habits as a specific method for behavior change is largely attributed to Dr. BJ Fogg, a behavior scientist at Stanford University. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Fogg developed his Fogg Behavior Model, which posits that behavior change is contingent upon three factors: motivation, ability, and a prompt. His subsequent research and teachings about tiny habits emphasize making desired behaviors easy to perform and attaching them to an existing routine, thus reducing the reliance on motivation alone.
Impact of Tiny Habits
Research indicates that the effectiveness of tiny habits is in their simplicity and attainability. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, small but consistent adjustments to behavior can lead to substantial changes over time because they lower the mental barriers to compliance. For instance, a person is more likely to adhere to a regimen of doing two push-ups after brushing their teeth every day than committing to an hour-long gym session once a week. This adherence increases self-efficacy, gradually building a person's confidence in their ability to change.
Statistical Evidence
The potency of tiny habits can also be seen in their statistical success rates. In Fogg’s research, 71% of participants reported that after implementing tiny habits, they found it easier to increase positive behaviors in their lives. This high success rate underscores the practicality of tiny habits; when changes are small, they feel less daunting and are more likely to be implemented.
Start Small, Think Big
Tiny habit changes are more sustainable in business growth primarily because they require minimal effort and disruption to implement, making them easier to maintain over time. If you want to start creating more of an online presence through creating a podcast, it will likely be more sustainable to start by recording one episode per month than expecting yourself to pump out an episode per week, off the bat. This sustainability is crucial for long-term success and can be attributed to several key factors:
1. Consistency Beats Intensity Every Time
I had a client recently who had secured a loan and immediately launched a full-scale expansion. She went all-in - investing in new inventory, introducing new products, over-hauled her website, and hired a marketing team to promote all these changes. Not surprisingly, this going all-in led to massive burnout for her. Trying to manage all of these changes and being the face of the brand was too complicated for her to tackle all at once. It even turned off some of her followers because there were constantly website and ordering issues, and they felt a disconnect between the small brand they knew and loved and this new, foreign company.
I would have recommended a more gradual approach for this client. Because she was a one-woman business at the time, implementing one change at a time could have mitigated risks and reduced the personal toll on her.
2. Building Momentum
Think of tiny habits like stepping stones. You start with one small step, and before you know it, you've built up momentum that can really propel your business forward. These small steps become part of your everyday routine, setting the stage for bigger leaps and bounds down the road.
3. Make New Habits Stick
There's a trick to making new habits last: keep them simple. Tiny habits are all about simplicity. They're easy to start, and even easier to keep doing. Over time, these small actions become second nature, and that’s when you know you’ve made a lasting change. Only once you’ve reached that point, would you then start making those tiny habits greater, bit by bit.
4. See Real Results
What’s great about tiny habits is that you can see what’s working and what isn’t pretty quickly. These consistent actions give you tangible results that you can measure and learn from. This helps you stay on track, fine-tune things as you go, and really see the impact of your efforts.
Small Habits, Big Success
The principle behind tiny habits is that by making very small adjustments to your daily routine, you build momentum that can lead to profound changes over time. These habits are easy to implement and often require minimal effort but are designed to generate substantial outcomes. Here's how you can apply them to various aspects of your business:
1. Daily Goal Setting
Kick off each day by setting a specific, achievable goal. Whether it’s reaching out to a new client, tweaking an ad, or writing a blog post, having a clear target gives your day direction and purpose. This habit ensures you're continually moving towards bigger business objectives, one small step at a time.
2. The Power of Five More
Whenever you're working on a task, push yourself to do 'five more'—five more minutes, five more emails, or five more pages. This tiny extension can lead to significant productivity gains without feeling overwhelming.
3. Regular Reflective Practice
At the end of each day, spend a few minutes reflecting on what went well and what could be improved. This habit helps you learn from mistakes and celebrate successes, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement that's crucial for business growth.
4. Micro-Learning
Dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to learning something new that can help you grow your business. It could be through articles, podcasts, videos, or books. Continuous learning keeps you informed about industry trends and best practices, ensuring that your business does not fall behind.
5. Networking Incrementally
Make it a habit to reach out to one new person a week or even a day, depending on your business scale. It could be a potential client, a fellow entrepreneur, or an influencer in your industry. Building and maintaining a network is crucial for business growth, and doing it gradually makes it less daunting and more manageable.
6. Mindfulness Moments
Integrate brief mindfulness exercises into your day. Take moments to practice deep breathing, meditation, or simply to stand and stretch. Mindfulness increases focus and decreases stress, keeping you at your best.
7. Optimize and Automate
Identify one small process each week that you can automate or make more efficient. Even a minute saved here and there adds up, freeing you up to focus on more strategic tasks.
Start by choosing one or two simple habits from our strategies and start using them today. This could include setting daily goals, engaging with your audience on social media, or doing weekly business process reviews. Each small step helps you move towards bigger success. Review your progress regularly and be ready to change and grow your habits. With persistence and dedication, these small habits will transform your business and improve your personal life, showing how big achievements often start from small beginnings.