How to Set Habits That Support Your Goals – A Workplace Wellbeing Guide for People Leaders
Why Habits Matter in the Workplace
Habits are the invisible architecture of our days. They shape how we work, relate, lead, and recover—often without us even realising.
When employees have healthy, consistent habits that align with their goals, they:
Make better decisions
Stay focused longer
Manage stress more effectively
Collaborate with more clarity and calm
In contrast, poor or reactive habits (think: skipping breaks, multitasking, or overworking to the point of burnout) erode performance over time.
The Psychology of Habit Formation
According to behavioural science, habits are built through a feedback loop known as the Habit Loop:
Cue – the trigger that initiates the behaviour
Routine – the behaviour itself
Reward – the benefit or relief gained
When this cycle is repeated, it forms a neural pathway—turning effort into autopilot.
For example:
Cue: You open your laptop
Routine: You check emails immediately
Reward: You feel productive (even if you avoid priority work)
Understanding this loop allows people to rewire unhelpful habits—and consciously create better ones.
How to Help Teams Set Habits That Stick
Here’s how people leaders can support employees (and themselves) in building habits that align with their goals:
1. Start With Identity, Not Just Outcomes
Rather than “I want to be more productive,” try:
“I’m the kind of person who protects time for deep work.”
This shift from doing to being taps into internal motivation—and makes the habit part of your identity.
Encourage employees to reflect on:
Who do I want to become at work?
What small habit would reinforce that identity each day?
2. Shrink the Habit (Make it So Easy You Can’t Say No)
Too often, we aim too big—then quit.
The antidote? Start small.
Instead of:
“Meditate 20 minutes daily” → Start with 2 minutes
“Take a full lunch break every day” → Start by stepping away for 5 minutes
“Write a weekly update” → Start by drafting bullet points each Friday
Small wins build confidence—and momentum.
3. Stack It With an Existing Routine
This is called habit stacking, and it’s a proven way to make a new behaviour stick.
Try this formula:
After I [existing habit], I will [new habit]
Examples:
After I join a meeting → I’ll take 3 slow breaths before speaking
After I log off at 5pm → I’ll write 1 line of tomorrow’s priorities
After I get my coffee → I’ll check in with my emotional state
4. Track Progress and Celebrate Micro-Wins
Don’t underestimate the power of a visual tracker, Slack emoji reaction, or quick manager shoutout. Celebrating small steps reinforces effort and keeps motivation alive—especially when goals feel far away.
Create team rituals like:
“Friday win” shoutouts
Progress logs or wellbeing check-ins
Peer accountability groups
5. Design for the Environment, Not Just Willpower
Habits are shaped by surroundings. Help your people succeed by removing friction:
Encourage clear digital boundaries (e.g. no work emails after hours)
Promote wellness by designing “unplug zones” or mindful moments in the office
Equip managers with tools to support new team habits (e.g. walking meetings, focus hours)
As a people leader, your role isn’t just setting goals. It’s helping your workforce live them—through the habits they practise daily.
Because when employees build habits that support their health, purpose and productivity, everyone wins.
The good news? Big shifts don’t start with big effort.
They start with small, consistent choices—repeated often enough to change the game.