How long does it take to build a habit?

For a long time I believed that it only takes 21 days to form a habit. Haven’t you heard that? I had heard it, I had repeated it, and I believed it. Of course, because all information is at our fingertips, I looked it up this week.

Turns out it’s a myth.

According to a recent column in Forbes, the idea that magic happens after 21 days “couldn’t be further from the truth.” Writer Jason Selk explains that this myth is a misinterpretation of work by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, who studied and wrote a best-seller about self-image.

Does it matter? I say it doesn’t. Powerful leaders develop habits that create the foundation, structure, and space for their leadership to thrive. How long does it take? Let’s replace that 21 day myth with a simple idea: it only takes one day to create a habit.

Habits are an important tool for leaders.

Habits –regular practices repeated consistently – offer three benefits that leaders can’t afford to be without.

1. Consistent productivity habits allow leaders focus freely on the bigger picture.David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, calls this “appropriate engagement.” Using his methods, we can stop worrying about all the things we need to do by capturing them in a system – and create space in our minds to really think about ideas. This “productive flow” allows us to have the innovative, exciting, inspiring ideas that are the most important part of leadership. Rather than worrying about the future and remembering the to-do list, these habits create a joyful freedom which Allen calls “mind like water.”
2. Consistent health habits maximize results. Leaders must recognize the importance of all dimensions of performance. One of my favorite Harvard Business Review articles of all time, The Making of a Corporate Athlete, tells us “Peak performance in business has often been presented as a matter of sheer brainpower, but we view performance as a pyramid. Physical well-being is its foundation. Above that rests emotional health, then mental acuity, and at the top, a sense of purpose. The Ideal Performance State—peak performance under pressure—is achieved when all levels are working together.”Strength, endurance, flexibility and focus enable this peak performance. It starts with some basic habits – good practices like getting enough sleep, paying attention to what you eat and how it affects your performance, and creating some kind of regular exercise. The good news is that when you begin to experience the benefits, your body will love it so much that you’ll continue. You will have created powerful habits.
3. Habits effortlessly demonstrate the behaviors you need from your team. InTribal Leadership, David Logan and his co-authors teach us that “as people see the world so they behave.” The language we use and the behaviors we model create the culture for the tribes we call our teams. If you want your employees to move from believing “I’m great,” to knowing “we’re great,” and delivering the stronger results, you must model the habits you want to see and use the language you want to hear.

So how long does it take to build a habit?

I say it takes just one day.

In my yoga practice, I’m always working on my balance. Arm balancing poses are really challenging. I keep trying. And when I fall out of a pose, I laugh and try again. You can do the same with your habits. Get up in the morning and try a new pose…a new practice…a new habit. Organize your stuff, or take a walk. See how it feels. Try it again the next day – and if you don’t, forgive yourself and try it the day after.

Try this practice.

1. Identify the habits you want to create and model for your teams. For example, read David Allen’s book or take a look at this cheat sheet and try taking the first step, collecting all your stuff so it’s not taking up space in your mind and crowding out the important thoughts. Or take a walk to start getting into shape, to move you toward your peak performance.
2. Talk to some members of your tribe about the new habits you are trying to create. Encourage them to practice with you!
3. If you miss a day, that’s no excuse to give up or be discourages. Forgive yourself and try again the next day.

Do it this week. After all, it only takes one day to begin leadership habits for a lifetime.

This article is published in collaboration with LinkedIn. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Janet Altman is an experienced marketing and management professional.

Image: Artist Olafur Eliasson’s giant representation of the sun, part of his Weather Project in the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern. REUTERS/Peter MacDiarmid.