For as long as I can remember, I’ve been going to the dentist twice a year to get my teeth cleaned. And every time I’ve gone to the dentist, I’ve been asked the same thing: “Are you flossing regularly?” The hygienist who’s cleaning my teeth already knows the answer to the question or they wouldn’t be asking it. No, of course I’m not flossing regularly because I hate it!

One Small Adjustment

When I came back from my appointment in May, after what felt like someone jack-hammering on my teeth for 45 minutes, I decided enough was enough. I was going to start flossing, and I was going to start right now. Of course, I’ve made this declaration every single time I’ve come home from the dentist.  However, this time I made one seemingly small adjustment that’s made all the difference in the world: I put that yellow sticky note you see in the picture above at the bottom right corner of my mirror in the bathroom.

One Big Change

Since putting the sticky note on my mirror in late May, I’ve gone from flossing my teeth almost never to flossing them every night. I miss the occasional night, but on nights where I forget I will often go back and floss and re-brush my teeth. It’s pretty amazing to think that I’ve tried numerous ways over the course of my adolescent and adult years to make this change, and all that it really took was just a piece of paper staring me in the face every night.

Right Place, Right Time

What I’ve been reminded of in finally breaking through years of inaction is that life change is often brought about by small tweaks. We want to believe that we need the eureka moment, but more often than not we need the right stimulus at the right place at the right time. My sticky note works because it’s in the exact right context for me to have to respond to it. My choice is to ignore it (which is almost impossible), take it down (which would be admitting failure), or simply act on it.

It’s got me thinking about what else I can change and get better at by simply being willing to make a small change, create the right environment, and hold myself accountable.

What’s the habit you’ve tried forever to break might just need a small tweak?