Building lasting change starts with focusing on one habit at a time. By focusing on just one habit in key areas—personal finance, nutrition, and exercise—you maximize your chances of success, ensure consistency, and build a solid foundation for growth.

Achieving lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, commitment, and, most importantly, the right approach. According to research, it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic—this concept is fundamental when we’re looking at how to make lasting changes in our lives. With a structured approach, you can make a real transformation in key areas like personal finance, nutrition, and exercise.

Inspired by The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, this article explores how you can use simple but effective strategies to focus on building one habit at a time and create the change you desire. In just three months, you can build a lasting foundation for growth in your financial wellbeing, physical health, and personal life. Here’s how.

The Science Behind Habit Formation

Research shows that it takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic, but this timeframe can vary based on the complexity of the habit and individual factors. A study by Dr. Phillippa Lally at the University College London revealed that, on average, it takes 66 days for a new habit to become ingrained, but it could range from 18 to 254 days, depending on the individual and the habit being formed. (Lally, P. et al. How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world, European Journal of Social Psychology, 2010)

What’s more, the book The One Thing highlights how focusing on one key habit or goal allows for better concentration and better long-term results. In a world filled with distractions and endless to-do lists, narrowing your focus on the most important task at hand can lead to more meaningful results. Here’s how to apply this strategy using the 80/20 Rule to identify the one habit that will have the greatest impact in each area.

• Step 1: Set Clear Goals Before we dive into habits, the first step is to set clear, measurable, and achievable goals for each key area of your life: personal finance, nutrition, and exercise. Remember, these goals should be specific, time-bound, and aligned with your broader vision. For example:
  • Personal Finance Goal: Save 20% of your income over the next three months
  • Nutrition Goal: Eat three servings of vegetables daily for the next three months
  • Exercise Goal: Exercise for 30 minutes, 4 times a week, for the next three months
  By setting clear, measurable goals, you give yourself a target to work toward and a sense of accomplishment when milestones are reached.
• Step 2: Apply the 80/20 Rule to Identify the One Habit To achieve your goals, identify the one habit that will have the most significant impact in each area. Focus on the 20% of efforts that will yield 80% of your desired results.

  Personal Finance: Automate Your Savings

  One Habit: Automate 20% of Your Income for Savings

  For personal finance, the habit that will have the biggest impact is automating your savings. Instead of relying on willpower to save money at the end of each month, automate a portion of your income—say 20%—to go straight into a savings or investment account. This one habit takes the decision-making out of the equation and ensures you save consistently, without the temptation to spend.

  Why it works

  Automation takes the guesswork out of the equation and ensures that you prioritize savings before spending. By automating, you build a consistent habit that gradually adds up over time, leading to financial growth.

  Nutrition: Eat Vegetables with Every Meal

  One Habit: Eat Vegetables with Every Meal

  When it comes to nutrition, a habit as simple as eating vegetables with every meal can have a huge impact on your overall health. The 80/20 rule applies here because increasing your vegetable intake can help you meet your nutritional needs, manage your weight, and boost energy levels—all with minimal effort.

  Why it works

  Focusing on just one habit—eating vegetables with every meal—makes it easy to prioritize your health and provides a simple framework that fits into almost any meal. Vegetables are nutrient-dense, and adding them to each meal is an easy, effective way to improve your diet.

  Exercise: Move for 30 Minutes a Day

  One Habit: Exercise for 30 Minutes Every Day

  For exercise, one of the most impactful habits is committing to 30 minutes of physical activity every day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a brisk walk, a workout, or yoga—what matters is consistency. This habit ensures that you’re moving daily and helps you develop a regular routine.

  Why it works

  Just 30 minutes of daily exercise, even at a moderate intensity, can have significant benefits for your physical and mental health. It helps you build a routine that promotes overall well-being, boosts energy, and improves your mood.
• Step 3: Break Down Your Goals into Actionable Steps Once you have identified your key habit in each area, break it down into actionable steps that you can easily incorporate into your daily life. This is essential for maintaining focus and tracking progress. For example:
  • Personal Finance
    • Set up automatic transfers for 20% of your income each pay period
    • Track spending weekly to ensure you're staying within your budget
    • Review savings progress at the end of each month
  • Nutrition
    • Plan meals each week to ensure vegetables are included
    • Stock your fridge with a variety of fresh vegetables
    • Track your vegetable servings each day with an app or journal
  • Exercise
    • Schedule exercise in your calendar every morning.
    • Try different types of activities (walking, yoga, strength training) to keep things fresh
    • Track your workouts in a fitness app or journal to see progress
• Step 4: Create a Structured Plan Having actionable steps is just the beginning; now you need a structured plan to stay on track. Organizing your tasks, setting reminders, and breaking down each step into manageable actions will ensure you stay focused and make steady progress. Here’s how to create a structured plan for different areas of your life:
  • Personal Finance
    • Set up automatic savings by scheduling direct deposits on payday through your bank or CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App
    • Add financial tasks, like reviewing your budget or tracking expenses, to your calendar, and set reminders to check in regularly
    • Break larger financial goals, such as paying off debt or building an emergency fund, into smaller, time-bound steps
  • Nutrition
    • Schedule meal prep or grocery shopping sessions in advance to ensure you have healthy options on hand
    • Plan your meals and snacks, and block out time each week to prepare and pack them
    • Set reminders to drink water and eat balanced meals at specific times each day
  • Exercise
    • Commit to specific workout times every day, whether early morning, lunch break, or after work, and add them to your calendar.
    • Treat your workout schedule as non-negotiable—just like a meeting or appointment
    • Break your fitness goals into smaller tasks (e.g., cardio on Mondays, strength training on Wednesdays) and plan them ahead of time
  Key Takeaways
  • A structured plan helps you stay organized and ensures you stay on track with your goals
  • Use tools like your calendar and reminders to manage and schedule tasks
  • For financial goals, leverage automation through CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App to keep savings consistent
  By creating a structured plan and breaking down tasks into manageable steps, you ensure your actions are intentional and your progress is steady. This approach will keep you focused and motivated as you move toward your goals.
• Step 5: Take Consistent Action Consistent action is the key to turning a habit into a lasting behavior. Perfection isn’t required—what matters is showing up every day, no matter how small the action. By taking consistent steps and tracking your progress, you build momentum toward achieving your goals. Here’s how to apply consistent action to different areas of your life:
  • Personal Finance
    • Regularly check your progress with automated savings features in CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App
    • Set up automatic transfers to savings or debt repayment accounts, ensuring you are consistently putting money aside
    • Monitor your budget daily to stay aware of your spending and savings progress
  • Nutrition
    • Make it a point to consistently eat vegetables throughout the week, whether in a salad, stir-fry, or as a side dish
    • Track your food intake to ensure you’re maintaining healthy eating habits and staying on track with your nutritional goals
  • Exercise
    • Commit to at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, even if it’s just a brisk walk or stretching
    • The key is consistency—whether you’re doing a workout at the gym or a short walk around the block, staying active every day will build lasting habits
  Key Takeaways
  • Consistency, not perfection, is what builds lasting habits
  • Use tools like CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App to track your financial actions and ensure you stay on course
  • Small, consistent actions in nutrition and exercise lead to long-term success
  By taking consistent action every day, you’ll make meaningful progress toward your goals, transforming habits into lasting behaviors.
• Step 6: Set Up Accountability with CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App Accountability is a powerful tool to ensure you stay committed to your new habit. Whether it's through a mentor, a friend, or a tracking tool, having someone or something to hold you accountable significantly increases your chances of success.
  • Personal Finance
    • Use CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App to set and track your financial goals.
    • The app allows you to:
      • Set specific financial goals.
      • Track income and expenses.
      • Monitor your savings and debt repayment progress.
      • Receive alerts and notifications to keep you on track.
    • Regularly check in with your app to evaluate your progress and adjust your budget as needed. With the app, you can ensure consistent accountability for your personal finance goals.
  • Nutrition
    • Join a health-focused group, whether online or in-person, to share your journey and get support
    • You could also share your progress with a friend or a family member, who can help keep you accountable
    • Using a nutrition app or food diary to track your meals and set nutritional goals can also support consistency
  • Exercise
    • Find a workout buddy or join a fitness group to keep you motivated and accountable
    • Alternatively, use a fitness app that tracks your workouts, sets challenges, and gives you reminders to stay active
    • Set goals for physical activity and track your progress to see results and stay encouraged
  Key Takeaways
  • Accountability is crucial for success
  • Use tools like CedisPay’s Financial Wellbeing Budget App to stay on track with your financial goals
  • Surround yourself with supportive people and use apps to track your progress in other areas like nutrition and exercise
  By setting up accountability, you can ensure you stay committed to your goals and make lasting, positive changes in your life
• Step 7: Reflect, Adjust, and Celebrate Wins Reflection is crucial to understanding what’s working and where you need to improve. Schedule weekly or monthly check-ins with yourself to assess your progress. Ask yourself: What’s working well? Where can I improve?
  Celebrate small wins—whether it’s sticking to your savings goal, eating more vegetables, or hitting a workout milestone. These celebrations help you stay motivated and positive as you continue to progress toward your larger goals.

Conclusion: Achieve Big Results with Small Habits

By focusing on one habit at a time and using the 80/20 Rule, you can transform your life in just three months. This approach—anchored in clear goals, focused habits, and consistency—ensures that your efforts lead to maximum results. Whether it's improving your financial health, your diet, or your physical fitness, focusing on the most impactful habits will help you achieve meaningful change. Start today and watch your life transform.

References

• Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology.
• Keller, G., & Papasan, J. (2013). The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. Bard Press.