## Checklist - Your anchor must… - Be ==an extremely reliable habit== - Be ==a precise event== - Match ==how often you want to do== the new tiny behavior - Should ==relate to== the new tiny behavior ## Background Hundreds of people have now told me this: The key to their new Tiny Habit recipes was finding an anchor that would logically trigger the new tiny behavior During the week, you may need to revise your anchor. And that’s okay. For now, here are pointers to help you: 1. **Your anchor must be an extremely reliable habit.** I’ve said this, but it’s here again for emphasis: Pick anchors you always do. 2. **Your anchor must be a precise event.** A fuzzy anchor (like “after dinner” or “whenever I feel stress”) doesn’t work well. Make them precise: “after I close the dishwasher,” “after I sit down on the train,” “after I pour coffee,” and so on. 3. **Your anchor must match how often you want to do new tiny behavior.** If you want to do your new tiny behavior just once a day (like hanging up your coat at night), then sequence it after an anchor that happens just once a day. If you want to do your new tiny behavior 4-7 times a day, then sequence it after an anchor that happens 4-7 times a day in your life. An example of twice a day: A few years ago, I decided to floss after I brush my teeth. I always brush twice a day, so now I floss twice a day. Yes, it’s a bit much, but that’s the habit. And I don’t mind doing it twice a day. In fact, I now love flossing. (Weird, I know.) 4. **Your anchor should relate to the new tiny behavior.** A good anchor relates to the new behavior you want, both in theme and location. Brushing teeth is a good anchor for flossing. Both are about dental care, and both happen in the same location. In contrast, brushing your teeth would not be a good anchor for hanging up your jacket. The two behaviors don’t relate in theme or in location.