“Habits may be the smallest units of transformation, but they’re also the most fundamental. They are the first concentric circles of change that will spiral out. Think about it.”
~ BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits
BJ Fogg is a leading authority on the power of habits to create change in your life. He points to three qualities of successful habits:
- They have an impact
- You have the skills and ability to do them
- They’re behaviors you actually want to do
What do those qualities have to do with fathering?
Everything.
That’s because successful fathering rests on a foundation of pro-fathering habits—actions that dads take on a regular basis without the need to think about them. That’s what facilitators of the evidence-based programs of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI) help fathers develop. They use research-based tools, such as the 24/7 Dad® Checklist in 24/7 Dad® and the Fathering Plan in InsideOut Dad®, to help dads identify, test, and integrate pro-fathering habits. NFI even has a workshop that focuses on nothing but the development of pro-fathering habits—the 24/7 Dad® Key Behaviors Workshop.
Regardless of the fatherhood program or workshop you use, a focus on the three qualities of successful habits will help you advise dads on the behaviors that are:
- Meaningful
- Realistic
- Motivating
Behaviors that have impact are meaningful for dads and their children. Behaviors that dads have the skills and ability to do are realistic. Behaviors dads want to do are motivating.
Use the three habits of successful fathering to help the dads you serve succeed in their most vital role!
Are you interested in learning more about the power of habits to transform lives? If so, read Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg.
Are you interested in learning more cutting-edge ideas to enhance your work with dads? If so, check out our free ebook 8 Cutting Edge Ideas to Super-Charge Your Fatherhood Program.
