“Small habits, when stacked together, create extraordinary results over time.”
Have you ever looked at someone successful and wondered how they manage to accomplish so much? It’s easy to assume they possess some superhuman ability to stay focused, motivated, or disciplined. But the truth is often much simpler. More often than not, their success isn’t the result of grand gestures or massive overhauls of their lives. Instead, it comes from small, consistent habits that have compounded over time. They’ve mastered the art of habit stacking.
Habit stacking is an incredibly powerful yet simple strategy that anyone can use to transform their life. It’s about taking tiny, manageable habits and linking them together in a sequence, allowing you to build a routine that supports the person you want to become. With habit stacking, you don’t need to rely on motivation, willpower, or constant reminders. The habits you stack take on a life of their own, effortlessly moving you toward a life you love.
Why Small Habits Make Big Changes
It’s easy to overlook the power of small habits. We tend to think that big changes require big actions. But in reality, the most profound transformations come from the accumulation of small, consistent actions over time. Think about how a tiny drop of water, over time, can carve out a massive canyon. That’s the power of consistency.
The Bible reminds us, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” It’s in the little things—the daily habits, the small decisions—that we build the foundation for bigger successes.
Small habits compound. When you read a single chapter of a book each day, you’ve read an entire book by the end of the month. When you spend just 15 minutes exercising daily, you’ve worked out for over 90 hours in a year. The key is not the magnitude of the habit but the consistency with which you do it.
What is Habit Stacking?
Habit stacking is a concept popularized by James Clear in his book Atomic Habits. The idea is simple: instead of trying to overhaul your life by introducing large, disruptive habits, you start with the habits you already have and build upon them.
Think about your daily routine. You probably have several habits you do without thinking—brushing your teeth, making coffee, or checking your phone when you wake up. Habit stacking takes advantage of these ingrained behaviors. By attaching a new, small habit to an existing habit, you create a natural trigger for the new behavior.
For example, if you want to start practicing gratitude each day, you could stack it onto your morning coffee routine. Every time you brew your coffee, you take a moment to write down three things you’re grateful for. Over time, your brain will associate making coffee with gratitude, and the habit will become automatic.
The Bible speaks of the importance of building on a firm foundation: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Habit stacking allows you to build your life on a foundation of small, purposeful actions, leading to lasting change.
How to Start Habit Stacking
Habit stacking is simple, but its effectiveness lies in how well you apply it. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Identify Your Current Habits
The first step is to identify the habits you already have. These are behaviors that are so ingrained in your routine that you do them without thinking. It could be something as simple as brushing your teeth, getting dressed, or checking your email in the morning.
List out these habits and look for patterns. Are there certain things you do at the same time each day? Do you have any morning or evening rituals? These existing habits will become the anchors for your new habits.
2. Choose a New Habit to Stack
Next, think about a new habit you want to incorporate into your life. The key here is to start small—choose something that takes only a few minutes to complete. It could be stretching, meditating, reading a Bible verse, or jotting down a goal for the day.
The Bible encourages us to “Desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Just as a small seed grows into a mighty tree, small habits help you grow into the person God has called you to be.
3. Stack the New Habit onto an Existing One
Once you’ve chosen your new habit, stack it onto one of your current habits. For example, if you want to develop a habit of prayer, you could stack it onto your morning routine. Every time you brush your teeth, you take a moment to pray.
The existing habit acts as a trigger for the new one, making it easier to remember and execute. Over time, the new habit will become just as automatic as the original one.
4. Be Consistent and Patient
The key to successful habit stacking is consistency. Even though the habits are small, they require daily commitment. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results—remember that the power of habit stacking comes from long-term consistency.
The Bible says, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Stay patient and trust the process. Your small efforts will yield big rewards over time.
5. Track Your Progress
It’s helpful to track your progress as you develop your new habits. You don’t need to be obsessive about it, but a simple checkmark on a calendar can help you stay accountable and motivated. Seeing your progress, no matter how small, reinforces the habit and encourages you to keep going.
The Ripple Effect of Habit Stacking
One of the most exciting things about habit stacking is the ripple effect it creates in your life. When you start stacking small, positive habits, they begin to influence other areas of your life. For example, if you start a habit of drinking a glass of water after your morning coffee, you may find that you’re more mindful about hydration throughout the day. If you begin your mornings with a few minutes of meditation, you might notice you’re calmer and more focused during your daily tasks.
The Bible says, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Just as a small amount of yeast affects an entire batch of dough, small habits have the power to influence every part of your life. Over time, these small actions create momentum, and you find yourself becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Habit Stacking for Personal and Spiritual Growth
Habit stacking isn’t just about achieving worldly success—it’s also a powerful tool for spiritual growth. By stacking habits that align with your faith and values, you can deepen your relationship with God and live a life that reflects His purpose for you.
For example, you could stack a habit of reading a Bible verse onto your morning routine. Every time you drink your coffee or tea, you take a moment to reflect on God’s word. Or, you could stack a habit of gratitude onto your bedtime routine—each night, before you sleep, you thank God for the blessings of the day.
The Bible teaches, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Habit stacking helps you grow in both grace and knowledge, as each small habit brings you closer to living out your faith in everyday moments.
Build a Life You Love, One Habit at a Time
The beauty of habit stacking is that it allows you to build a life you love, one small habit at a time. You don’t need to make drastic changes or completely overhaul your life. By focusing on small, manageable habits, you can create lasting change that aligns with your values, goals, and purpose.
Remember, “For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little.” It’s the accumulation of small, faithful actions that leads to big transformations.
So, start stacking your habits today. Choose one small habit that aligns with your vision for the future, and stack it onto something you already do. Over time, you’ll find that these small actions compound into a life that reflects your highest potential—a life filled with purpose, peace, and joy.
