You don’t need to completely overhaul your life at the start of each year to see improvements. Just focus on picking up some useful habits bit by bit. These habits will gradually fill your days with more energy and success, making you stronger and more successful over time. The key to any habit is consistency, and the benefits grow over time.

First, take a look back at your previous year and think about what you’d like to change. Maybe you want to stop working so much, spend more time with your family, or cut down on alcohol. This article isn’t about how to beat addiction but rather how to stop making unrealistic plans and live a healthier life.

Daily habits have a big impact on your well-being and mood. Bad habits, no matter how many you have, can gradually harm your physical and mental health. On the flip side, good habits can improve your life in many ways. In particular, the right habits can boost your success. The routines you follow each day not only impact the present but also shape your future.

When you set goals, you often think about when you want to achieve them and what the desired outcome looks like, which typically requires self-discipline. For instance, if you aim to lose 10 pounds by May, your goal isn’t just to shed the weight but also to maintain it, and doing so without losing motivation can be tough. Constantly restricting yourself can be challenging.

A better approach might be to develop good habits that lead to lasting results. Start simple, like taking an evening walk before bed, doing a quick five-minute workout in the morning, skipping sugar in your coffee, or swapping cereal for vegetables. After about three weeks of repeating an action daily, your brain forms new pathways, making the habit automatic and less about willpower.

1. Begin with habits that are easy to stick to. Rather than planning to exercise for 90 minutes every weekday, start with something small like five sit-ups and five push-ups in the morning. This mini-workout will only take two minutes, and you won’t be able to use the excuse of not having enough time. Once you get used to starting your morning with some activity, you can gradually increase the difficulty.

2. It’s okay to occasionally deviate from your plan due to unforeseen circumstances, but try not to skip more than one day in a row. Since repetition rewires your brain, consistency is key.

3. Prepare for different scenarios. How will you maintain your habits in unusual situations? For example, if one of your habits is putting your phone away in the evening to cook and eat dinner with loved ones, think about what you’ll do when on a business trip. Maybe you can have a virtual dinner with friends via Skype as a backup plan.

4. To track your progress, mark completed tasks on a calendar. Try to keep the streak of continuous actions going as long as possible until the habit feels natural to you.

Consider incorporating some of these top 30 daily good habits into your routine this new year. Can you fit them into your schedule? The best time to start is now. This year can be your year!