Building Habits and Creating a Lifestyle: Understanding the 21/90 Rule
Introduction
In the journey of self-improvement, forming good habits plays a big role. The 21/90 rule, credited to Dr. Maxwell Maltz, offers a clear way to do this. It says that if you stick to a new habit for 21 days straight, it becomes a habit. Keep it up for 90 days more, and it's likely to stick around for good.
What is the 21/90 rule?
The 21/90 rule says that if you do something every day for 21 days straight, it becomes a habit. Keep it up for 90 days, and it becomes a normal part of your life. Lots of people see this as a great way to make positive changes stick.
Who created this idea?
Dr. Maxwell Maltz introduced the 21/90 theory in his 1960 self-help book titled "Psycho-Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life." Despite the book becoming less well-known over time, Maltz, a cosmetic surgeon, presented this concept, which has stuck around.
Does the 21/90 rule really work?
The 21/90 rule is a simple method for building habits and changing your lifestyle. But, is it actually true? Let's break it down into two parts: first, can you really form a habit in just 21 days? And second, can you make a lasting change in your life within 90 days?
Here's a simpler breakdown: