Building new habits can feel daunting, especially when trying to find places to include them in an already-packed schedule. That’s where habit stacking comes in — it transforms routine actions into cues for new habits, making change feel seamless rather than overwhelming.
The key to habit stacking is using your brain’s natural tendency to follow patterns, as stacking a new habit onto an existing one helps it become second nature. Whether in your personal life or work, this strategy creates task consistency without requiring too much extra effort.
Read on to learn how this method helps build habits that stick.
Habit stacking refers to pairing new behaviors with activities you do automatically in order to create new repeated actions. Rather than starting from scratch, which can take time and may not be effective, you “stack” a new habit on top of an existing one, integrating it into your daily routine faster.
Productivity expert S.J. Scott introduced the concept in his 2017 book “Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less.” James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” later popularized the practice.
Both authors based this hack around the idea that your brain thrives on repetition. For example, coffee drinkers could proofread reports while waiting for their pot to brew, or yoga fans could do a flow while listening to an audiobook. Without habit stacking, you’d likely write isolated goals on your to-do list, only to forget or push them aside for more urgent tasks.
By taking a few intentional steps, you can make better decisions about your daily habits and their efficiency — here’s how to get started.
Start by writing a “habits list” detailing everything from brushing your teeth and making your bed to checking your email and writing meeting summaries. The goal is to identify habits you consistently do without much thought — these are your anchors for new practices.
Be specific and realistic when you define habits to adopt, as starting small is better than overcommitting and burning out. Instead of vague objectives like “be healthier” or “upskill,” focus on concrete actions, such as stretching for five minutes every day, reading a chapter of a book before bed, or meditating on your lunch break. These smaller, manageable actions are easier to fit into your routine, so you’ll likely complete them.
Pick an existing behavior that will cue a new action. For example, walk for 10 minutes during your usual lunch break to build more exercise into your day. Or, listen to industry podcasts during your morning commute to turn travel time into professional development opportunities. Pairing habits logically will make your day more productive without feeling like extra work.
Expanding on your entire habit list at once might be tempting, but moving toward your goals progressively is a better way to stay motivated. New habits should feel natural, not forced. So, choose one stack at a time — a small daily win builds momentum, and you're less likely to forget a single habit change.
When your first habit stack feels automatic, it’s time to expand. Either add another step to your existing stack or create a new one.
Say you master stretching when your coffee brews. Take another step toward mindfulness and journal as you drink your first cup. Alternatively, pair a new behavior with another habit — after attending a weekly team meeting, record key insights and share them on LinkedIn.
Remember not to pile on the activities, though. Don’t move on until the second stack feels as natural as the first.
To make habit stacking consistent, reward your progress with incentives you enjoy, as positive reinforcement cements habits by creating a sense of satisfaction.
Optionally, build rewards into habit planning. For instance, treat yourself to a movie trip after successfully eating a nutritious lunch every day for a month. Small incentives like this create a positive feedback cycle, making it easier to stick with your habits long-term.
Successful habit stacking requires more than smart pairing. Here are some tips to guide you as you build stronger routines:
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Habit stacking involves attaching a new activity to an automatic behavior. The existing habit acts as a trigger, reminding you to complete the new habit.
Below are a few common examples of habits people typically stack.
Personal life examples:
Work examples:
In “Atomic Habits,” James Clear defines four steps for building new behaviors:
Here’s how that would look for someone developing a new workout routine:
Reward: Improving pace and finishing the race.