Keystone habits are a powerful tool for moms like us, because they make all other habits easier to accomplish! Think of a keystone habit as the one big domino in your day that successfully knocks all the other dominos (your daily tasks) over quickly.
Keystone habits serve as a foundation for other positive changes, and help to create a stable structure that supports the development of other habits.
One obvious example of a keystone habit is exercise. When you make exercise a habit, you have more energy and focus throughout the day, which makes it much easier to make your bed, get laundry done, play with the kids, and spend time with your spouse. It sometimes feels like exercise is something we just don't have time for, but in reality, if we put this habit first, we will have more energy and motivation to do everything else! What's more, discipline and consistency developed through exercising can spillover to other areas of life, making it easier to stick to other habits.
Another keystone for many moms is keeping a gratitude journal. When you take the time to reflect on what youre thankful for, you may find that your mood throughout the day improves. This positive mindset can make it easier to tackle other habits!
To identify your keystone habits, think about the course of a typical day for you, and what you need to do. What are the one or two critical things that can make or break the rest of your day? That's a big clue that these things are what you need to prioritize. Do those things first, and make them your "non-negotiables."
Remember that your vocation is worth the effort and examination!
Learn more about keystone habits on the Productive Catholic Mom podcast!
Cheering for you always!
God bless,
Deirdre