12 Months of Tiny Changes - How to create habits that last

In August 2024, I became an Internationally Certified Results Coach. I decided to commit to one small daily practice: every morning, I'd state my intention for growth as a coach, then actively look for one new way to develop. The question is ' How to create habits that last'.

12 months in, here's what happened.

Some days I'd read a single page from a neuroscience book while sipping my coffee. Other days I'd listen to a 10-minute podcast snippet during my commute or simply reflect on how I'd shown up in a difficult client conversation. Nothing earth-shattering.

But something unexpected emerged. It wasn't just my coaching that changed—it was how I approached problems in every area of my life. I started catching myself making excuses less often. I began noticing opportunities I'd previously walked past.

The math is compelling: 1% improvement daily theoretically gives you 37x growth over a year. But the real transformation happens in your neural pathways, not your calculator.

The Identity Shift We Need To Talk About

Here's what surprised me most: the habit itself mattered less than who I was becoming through the process.

When I committed to 10 minutes of daily meditation, I wasn't just reducing stress. I was becoming someone who keeps small promises to themselves. When I started writing three sentences each morning, I wasn't just capturing thoughts—I was becoming someone who processes life intentionally rather than reactively. When I began writing weekly blogs about mindset topics, I'm passionate about, I wasn't just building my coaching brain—I was becoming someone who thinks deeply about transformation and shares insights generously.

Every action became a vote for a future version of myself.

Instead of "I want to lose 10 kilos," try thinking "I'm someone who moves my body daily." Instead of "I should be more organized," try "I'm someone who creates systems that work."

This shift moves you from relying on willpower (which everyone knows is unreliable) to operating from identity (which tends to reinforce itself).

What Actually Works (From Trial and Error)

Start embarrassingly small. I mean it. Want to read more? Commit to one paragraph, not one chapter. Your brain needs proof this new behaviour won't overwhelm your already-full life.

Attach to something you already do. I linked my intention-setting to sitting in my office chair before turning on my computer. The existing habit became the bridge to the new one.

Make it obvious. I keep my copper water pot at my bedside—a great reminder to stay hydrated first thing in the morning. I hid my phone in a drawer during focused work. Environment design beats motivation every time.

Track simply. A checkmark on a calendar, a note in your phone, or even just telling someone "I did it today" creates surprising momentum. Don't overcomplicate this.

The Part You Don’t Skip, Stay with Me

Breaking old patterns is harder than building new ones. Most of us know what to do—we struggle with consistent execution because we're fighting years of mental conditioning.

I noticed my own resistance patterns: the internal negotiation when my alarm went off, the creative justifications for "just this once" exceptions, the perfectionist voice that said missing one day meant failure.

The habits were just the surface. The real work was rewiring the beliefs underneath my daily choices.

What I'd Tell Someone Starting Today

Pick one ridiculously small action that aligns with who you want to become. Not who you think you should be—who you genuinely want to be.

Start there. Start small. Start now.

Because here's what I've learned: you don't transform by doing extraordinary things occasionally. You transform by doing ordinary things consistently.

The person you'll become in a year is being shaped by what you choose to do today.

Choose Wisely.

If this resonates and you're curious about identifying the patterns that might be keeping you stuck, I offer focused free strategy conversations to help people gain clarity on their next steps. No pressure—just genuine conversation about where you want to go from here.

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