We’re all guilty. We all have bad habits. Some of them we’d like to change — others feel like they make us who we are.
There are many ways to approach change. James Clear wrote an entire book about the power of small shifts and how to build better habits that stick. If you’re even a little interested in habit change, Atomic Habits is a must-read.
But here’s the thing most people overlook: they try to change everything at once. Or worse — they don’t even realize what habits are holding them back.
Before anything else, you need clarity.
If you want to change something, you need to know what exactly you’re changing. That sounds obvious, but when was the last time you actually sat down and reflected on your own behaviors?
If you keep a journal, take a moment to reflect. If you don’t, no worries — grab a piece of paper, a pencil, and give yourself a quiet moment (or an hour if you need it). Write freely. Be honest. No one else has to see it.
Benjamin Franklin did this kind of reflection every night.
As part of his daily routine, he examined his actions and asked himself serious questions. He identified thirteen personal flaws that, if left unchecked, would hold him back.
But instead of tackling them all at once, he made a system.
Every day he picked one of his thirteen bad habits to focus on. He’d track whether he managed to beat it that day — or whether the habit won. The next day, he’d move on to the next one. And so it went, cycling through all thirteen habits, one day at a time, for two years straight.
You don’t have to do it like Franklin. But there’s something powerful about his approach: one habit at a time.
Small chunks.
Doable goals.
Nothing overwhelming.
And that’s what sets you up for success.
It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being intentional. Even just tracking a habit makes you more aware of it. And awareness is often the first step toward change. You start noticing patterns. You see what triggers you. You figure out what actually helps — and what doesn’t.
So if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by all the things you want to change, start simple. Pick one habit. Pay attention to it for a day. Then pick another one tomorrow. You might be surprised how much progress you can make — one day, one habit at a time.
🧪 Let’s Experiment
Clarity plus consistency beats willpower every time.
So if you’re curious to try Benjamin Franklin’s method — here’s a simple version to start with. Adapt it to fit your life, and most importantly, keep it doable.
🎯 Try This:
- Get clear.
Write down a list of personal habits or behaviors you’d like to change — and also the ones you’re okay with. Be honest, not harsh. - Pick your battles.
Mark the ones you actually want to work on, and assign them a day.
Example:- Monday — Fault #1: Scrolling social media for 2+ hours → Limit it to 1 hour or skip it entirely.
- Tuesday — Fault #2: Snacking on sweets between lunch and dinner → Try skipping it for the day.
- Track it.
At the end of each day, reflect: Did you “win” or did the habit win? How did it make you feel? Write it down — even one sentence can help you see progress.
🧠 Final Thought:
You don’t need to fix everything overnight. Just pay attention. Show up for yourself. Change happens quietly — one habit, one choice, one day at a time.
Keep it simple, stay curious, and keep learning—you’ve got this.
Take care,
Carina 🦊