Chapter 1: Understanding Habit Stacking

Have you ever come across the term "habit stacking"? It’s a concept that can significantly boost your efforts toward achieving your goals when combined with what I refer to as Time Leveraging. Before diving into that, let’s first explore the foundational idea of habit stacking.

I was introduced to habit stacking through James Clear’s insightful book, Atomic Habits. The basic premise is simple: begin with a positive habit and build upon it with another, creating a chain of beneficial actions. This method is not only straightforward but also incredibly effective for reshaping your identity and achieving your aspirations.

Clear summarizes it well in Atomic Habits:

“Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it.”

I liken habit stacking to the mortar that holds the bricks of your habits together. By forming strong connections between these habits, you reinforce each one, allowing your confidence and motivation to grow as you accumulate positive actions day by day.

Chapter 2: The Aim of Habit Stacking

The goal of habit stacking is to enhance your life by consistently taking positive actions that yield favorable outcomes. As Clear discusses, we each have 86,400 seconds in a day; how we use them can greatly influence our success.

“You don’t have to be the victim of your environment. You can also be the architect of it.” — James Clear, Atomic Habits

Unleash 365 Hours a Year for Your Dreams

The power of habit stacking alone is impressive, but when it comes to achieving your grandest goals, a more advanced approach is necessary. Your ambitious dreams demand dedicated, distraction-free time. Luckily, there’s a treasure trove of such time available—those early morning hours.

The time before daily distractions arise is where you can invest your energy into concentrated efforts toward your most ambitious dreams. By sacrificing just an hour of sleep each morning, you can accumulate an incredible 365 hours over the year to pursue learning, training, and personal growth.

What could you achieve with 365 focused hours?

Time Leveraging: Enhancing Habit Stacking

The concept I refer to as "time leveraging" involves utilizing those early hours to work on your goals while the rest of the world is still asleep. The combination of habit stacking and time leveraging has been transformative for me. My journey began in 2020 when I enrolled in a challenging real estate licensing course.

I soon learned that North Carolina had one of the lowest pass rates for this exam, with only 35% of participants succeeding. I was unaware of this daunting statistic when I committed to the course, but I was determined to make it work.

My Six-Week Habit Stack

The next six weeks were intense. I woke up at 5 AM, fueled by determination, and tackled the extensive material bit by bit during those quiet summer mornings.

Although I read slowly, I maximized my lunch breaks and evenings for additional study. On August 14, 2020, I was thrilled to be among the 35% who passed the exam on my first attempt.

The real achievement lay in the process of habit stacking combined with time leveraging. Consistent daily efforts over time can lead to remarkable outcomes. Why did it take me over 50 years to uncover this crucial insight?

Embracing the Habit Stacking Journey

Buoyed by my success, I embarked on a new challenge in February 2021: reading the entire Bible for the first time. I set a goal to read for 30 minutes each morning, aiming to complete it within 150 days. However, I finished the project in just 107 days! This experience solidified my commitment to leveraging my mornings.

Now, my daily morning habit stack includes:

• Reading the Bible: 20–30 minutes
• Journaling: 10–15 minutes
• Scanning news: 10–15 minutes
• Online writing courses: 2 hours

If you’re concerned about sacrificing sleep for this intensive routine, consider this insight:

“Problem #1: Winners and losers have the same goals.” — James Clear, Atomic Habits

John Grisham, the acclaimed author, began writing his first novel at 5 AM for three years while working as a lawyer. His early morning dedication has led to over 50 published books and a net worth of approximately $400 million. Do you think he regrets those early mornings?

As you grow more accustomed to your habit stacking routine, the early wake-up calls will become less burdensome, and you'll find yourself excited to start your day.

Habit Stacking for Better Health

Once you begin to see and feel the positive outcomes of your efforts, you'll naturally seek more ways to stack habits. For instance, I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, which took a toll on my health. To combat this, I set a goal to drink 100 ounces of water daily and incorporated exercises into my hydration routine.

Every time I open a bottle, I complete a set of bicep curls, push-ups, or squats. This method not only helps me meet my hydration goal but also keeps me active throughout the day. As a result, I've lost nine pounds this year—steady and sustainable weight loss through small, manageable daily habits.

I track my progress using the Strides app, which helps me stay accountable. While I don’t follow this routine on weekends, it’s easier for me since I work from home, and I have no excuses. However, anyone can incorporate habit stacking into their lives, especially if they're willing to adjust their morning routines.

Ten Habit Stacking Ideas

1. Walk the dog while enjoying an apple or listening to a podcast.
2. Journal and take an online course.
3. Commute to work while listening to an educational podcast.
4. Prepare lunch while reading a few pages from a book.
5. Check emails and return regular mail in one session.
6. Use your morning routine to focus on a goal while brushing your teeth.
7. Build relationships by seeking advice from mentors over a meal.
8. Pull weeds while grilling or preparing food.
9. Create bedtime routines with your children that include reading and affirmations.
10. Incorporate prayer and reflection during quiet moments.

In Conclusion

I encourage you to explore the combination of habit stacking and time leveraging. If you aspire to achieve more in life, it’s within your reach, though it won't come easily. Real change takes commitment and daily effort, just as John Grisham demonstrated.

The right systems can facilitate life changes. As James Clear states in Atomic Habits,

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

By employing habit stacking and time leveraging, you can elevate your dreams and make them a reality. Rise early and pursue your passions—I'd love to hear about your journey in the comments.

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