Its only halfway through the month, but theres a good chance youve already jettisoned your New Years resolutions in frustration, all those grand plans of transformation and dramatic life change (this year things will really happen!) left behind. If this describes you, all is not lost.

A new book suggests that the key to lasting change isnt by thinking big its by thinking small. In Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), author BJ Fogg argues that when it comes to change, our approach could use some tweaks. Motivation and willpower have long been regarded as the pillars of lasting transformation, but Fogg, who claims that tiny is mighty, insists these arent the keys to changing your habits.

Many of us believe that if we fail to be more productive, lose weight, or exercise regularly then something must be wrong with us, writes Fogg. We just need to get our act together and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and do better. Right? Nope. Sorry. Not right. We are not the problem. Our approach to change is. Its a design flaw not a personal flaw.

Instead, real change is a matter of understanding Behavior Design, with the maxim that simplicity changes behavior. Start small and stay flexible about outcomes, he says that way you arent putting all your energy into a big goal that breaks down the minute you slip up. A small example he gives is one of the eternal quest to floss regularly. Begin by flossing a few teeth, and then calling it a day, he advises. Start putting the floss right next to your toothbrush, so its top of mind. Work your way up to flossing your whole mouth, but dont beat yourself up if you skip a few days. Its a low-key, manageable way to ease into good new habits.

When you know how to adjust the components of human behavior, writes Fogg. You can begin to tackle any behavior-change challenge in your life.

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How to change your life in 2020 with these 'tiny habits' - New York Post