The Power of Pairing: Building Better Habits

If you've been listening to me for a while, you probably know I'm not the biggest fan of traditional meditation. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve tried the popular apps and followed some of the most recommended practices. But to be honest, sitting still and attempting to meditate for extended periods has just never worked for me. However, I recently came across an app called Balance, and it’s been a game changer. Now, I’m not affiliated with Balance, but I like to share what works.

Finding Balance and Pairing Habits

One of the standout concepts from Balance is something called pairing. Essentially, the app encourages you to pair short three to five-minute meditations with activities you already do daily. The idea is that you’re more likely to be consistent if you connect new habits with established ones. For instance, every morning at 4:45 AM, I record this podcast. It’s a consistent part of my daily routine. So, now, right after recording, I do a brief meditation. It fits seamlessly into my morning flow.

It got me thinking, “What else could I pair with existing habits to create new habits?” Zig Ziglar, a legend in my industry, used to call these twofers—doing two things simultaneously to make better use of your time. For example, Zig used to get his reading done while watching football, because as he put it, “If a play is good enough, they’ll show it again.” I’ve subscribed to that mentality ever since.

Stacking Habits for Personal Growth

When you consider this pairing concept, it’s not just about time efficiency; it’s about maximizing growth in areas that matter to you. For me, a simple pairing is listening to audiobooks while driving. After all, you can’t exactly read while you’re behind the wheel, but driving isn’t necessarily an engaging activity either. By listening to audiobooks, I turn my drive time into self-development time. And if you’re listening to this podcast while commuting, you’re already stacking those habits!

So, before you dive into pairing, you have to ask yourself a few questions.

What Habits Are You Trying to Form?

It all starts with being honest about where you’re trying to grow. Personal growth isn’t just about monetary gains or career progress; it’s about continuously finding ways to improve. One of my current focuses may sound simple, but it’s been a struggle—consistently drinking water. I know it sounds trivial, but water impacts both cognitive and physical functions, so it’s something I’m actively working on.

Once you know the habit you’re trying to develop, you need to look at what’s already part of your daily routine. In my case, pairing my meditation with the podcast routine works because it’s a consistent part of my schedule. Habits are often subconscious actions, so it helps to write them down. What’s something you do every day without thinking about it?

Pairing Your Habits

After identifying your current habits, ask yourself, “How can I introduce a new habit to pair with my existing one?” Think of it like finding a big brother for a little brother habit. Pairing a new practice with an existing routine strengthens both.

For example, I’ve combined my meditation with recording the podcast, and on days when I hit the gym at a consistent time, I listen to affirmations or reflect on my upcoming tasks. Stacking habits doesn’t mean overloading your day; it’s about strategically compounding things that complement each other.

Embrace Flexibility and Experimentation

Now, I know the temptation to go all-in and overhaul your routine completely. But here’s the key: when introducing new habits, think of it like speed-dating. You’re not making a lifelong commitment right away. You’re experimenting to see what works and what doesn’t. For example, you might find that pairing your evening meditation with your cool-down after a workout helps you wind down effectively.

That’s why writing down a list of habits is so crucial. If something doesn’t fit initially, try pairing it with another activity until you find the sweet spot. Flexibility is essential because not every combination will work perfectly. But when you approach it as a puzzle with interchangeable pieces, it makes the process more enjoyable.

The Bigger Picture of Habit Pairing

It’s easy to feel stuck or limited in life. But let me remind you: you’re only as stuck as you choose to be. When you look at pairing habits, consider them like puzzle pieces. The beauty of a puzzle is that the picture is always bigger than the piece you’re holding at the moment. Your job is to stay flexible, keep trying different pairings, and trust that the pieces will fit together over time.

Remember, it’s not just about doing more in 24 hours. It’s about making the most of those hours by doing things that align with where you want to be. Pairing habits not only makes growth achievable but sustainable.

Action Steps:

1. Identify the Habit: Be specific about the new habit you want to form.
2. List Current Habits: Make a list of your existing daily habits that are already consistent.
3. Experiment with Pairing: Try pairing the new habit with one from your list. Be open to adjustments.
4. Track Progress: Monitor what’s working and what’s not, and refine your pairings over time.

If you want to take your team, event, or conference to the next level, book Baylor to speak. For more mindset motivation, check out his 10-minute-a-day podcast, Shark Theory. Purchase Baylor's self-development books here. Mindset Matters: Let's make yours unstoppable.