• Understand which of the Four Tendencies is most dominant to determine how you respond to expectations. Upholder meets outer and inner
  expectations, Questioner resists outer and meets inner expectations, Obliger meets outer and resists inner expectations and Rebel resists outer and inner expectations. According to Rubin, the happiest and
  most successful people are not necessarily one of these four tendencies but, instead, they have found ways to exploit the benefits and counterbalance the limitations of their personality type. I tend to be more of an Obliger, quick to meet outer expectations while resisting inner expectations. When I was writing "Working with Wisdom," I knew I had to get into the habit of researching, writing and editing to get it done. Only when I focused on the impact my book would have on others did I commit to those habits. To determine your type, go to parade.com/habits.

• Pair an enjoyable activity with one you struggle to accomplish. For example, Rubin only allows herself to read magazines when working out on a cardio machine at the gym.

• Think convenience and inconvenience. That's why pre-measured healthy snacks make sense to promote weight loss. If you want to get up earlier, simply keep your alarm clock across the room so you can't
  roll over and hit the snooze button.

What strategies do you use to master habits?  Share your wisdom on my Facebook Page or reply back to me. I love hearing from you!