Manthagini

How is your journey with your resolution going? I can almost hear the “Whatever” shrug. And that’s okay! As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, any day is a new year, and any day is a new day.
Sticking to your resolution requires discipline—the act of doing something repeatedly until it becomes a habit. In his book Psycho-Cybernetics, Maltz claimed it took 21 days for his patients to adjust to physical changes, but later research debunked this claim. Other studies suggest it takes 66 days to form a habit. Regardless of the number, one thing is clear: practice is key to building lasting habits.
Start Small
“If your goal is to practice yoga every day, start with a 10-minute session. Play some yoga music, and after a few days, once the music starts playing, your mind and body will automatically shift into yoga mode. I love the idea of using music as a trigger—it’s like creating a mental shortcut that sets the mood and intention for your activity. Personally, I chant mantras and sing songs of divinity, which automatically bring me into meditation mode.”
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by big goals, but breaking them down into smaller, more manageable pieces can make a huge difference. The 66-day rule might not be set in stone, but consistency is certainly essential when it comes to forming habits.
And remember to make your goals SMART. Instead of setting a vague goal like “I’ll do one hour of yoga every day for a year,” set a more achievable goal like “I’ll do 15 minutes of yoga today.” Track your progress, and when you increase your time from 15 minutes to 20, celebrate that win!

Celebrating small victories, like extending your yoga session by five minutes, is crucial. It builds momentum and reinforces your commitment. The key is stacking these small wins until they become second nature.