중학교 영어 2 (천재교과서 소영순) 연계 글

Every January, many students promise to read a book every week or to exercise every day. By February, however, many of them have already given up. The problem is usually not a lack of effort. Their plans are simply too big. If you want this year to be different, try these four ideas.

First, start with a tiny goal. Instead of promising to run for an hour, promise to walk for five minutes. Such a goal may seem almost too easy, but that is exactly the point. You can reach it even on a busy day. Once the new habit feels natural, you can slowly make it bigger.

Second, attach your new habit to something you already do every day. Many people never decide when to practice a new habit, so they keep putting it off. An old habit can solve this problem because it tells you when to begin. For example, if you brush your teeth every night, you can read one page of a book right after you finish. Soon, brushing your teeth will remind you to read.

Third, keep a record of your progress. Hang a calendar, and draw a check mark on each day you keep your promise. In a few weeks, the marks will form a chain, and you will not want to break it. The calendar also shows you what to change. If you often miss Mondays, for example, think about how to make them easier.

Finally, decide in advance what to do after a missed day. If you miss a day, do not give up on your whole plan. One empty box on the calendar is not a disaster. Just return to your habit the next day, and try not to miss two days in a row.

If you keep taking small steps, next December you may be surprised at how much you have changed.