Frequently Asked Questions About Morning Routines
As you begin this journey, questions will naturally arise. Here are answers to some of the most common ones we hear at The Focused Method.
How long does it really take to form a new habit?
You’ve probably heard the number “21 days.” More recent research, however, suggests the average is closer to 66 days, with a huge range depending on the person and the complexity of the habit. The truth is, there is no magic number. Focusing on a specific deadline can be counterproductive, leading to frustration if a habit doesn’t feel automatic by that date. A better approach is to forget the timeline and focus on the process. Concentrate on not breaking the chain (the “never miss twice” rule) and on celebrating the small win of showing up each day. The feeling of automaticity will come, but it will happen on its own schedule. Your only job is to take today’s small step.
What should I do when I travel or my schedule is disrupted?
This is where the Minimum Viable Action (MVA) becomes your superpower. The goal during periods of disruption is not to perform your routine perfectly, but to maintain the thread of consistency. If your normal routine is a 20-minute workout, your travel MVA might be to do 2 minutes of stretching in your hotel room. If you normally journal a full page, your MVA might be to think of one thing you’re grateful for while you wait for the elevator. These tiny actions send a powerful signal to your brain: “Even when things are different, I am still a person who does this.” It keeps the habit alive and makes it much easier to return to your full routine when your schedule returns to normal.
I was doing great, but now I’ve hit a plateau. What’s wrong?
Plateaus are a normal part of any growth process. They don’t mean you’re failing; they often mean the habit has become so automatic that the initial reward feeling has faded. This is a good time to introduce a small, novel variation. If you’ve been doing the same 5-minute walk every morning, try walking a different route. If you’ve been writing in the same journal, try a new pen or a different type of notebook. You can also try “upping the stakes” slightly. If your MVA of one deep breath has become second nature, perhaps you try a 1-minute guided meditation on an app. A small tweak can be enough to make the experience feel fresh and rewarding again.
Can I try to build multiple new morning habits at once?
While it’s tempting to overhaul your entire morning at once, it’s generally more effective to start with one single “keystone” habit. A keystone habit is a foundational behavior that naturally creates a ripple effect, making other positive changes easier. For many, a good keystone habit is something like laying out workout clothes or not checking your phone for the first 30 minutes of the day. Focus all your energy on making that one MVA consistent. Once it starts to feel automatic, you can then use habit stacking to add the next small habit. Trying to build too many new habits simultaneously divides your focus and depletes your willpower, making it more likely that you’ll abandon all of them.
