21 days to form a habit?

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon in the 1950s, wrote about the experiences of his patients and said, “These, and many other commonly observed phenomena tend to show that it requires a minimum of about 21 days for an old mental image to dissolve and a new one to jell.”

In 1960, he published that quote and his other thoughts on behavior change in a book called Psycho-Cybernetics. The book went on to become an blockbuster hit, selling more than 30 million copies. This book influenced nearly every major self-help professional and the quote got whittled down in the commonly said “It takes 21 days to form a habit.”

So is it true? The problem with this is that Dr. Maltz was just observing what was going on around him. He wasn’t making a statement of fact at all. Remember, in his original published work, he used the word “minimum” and that’s an important omission from what we hear today.

With that in mind, our goal is to get you started. Support you with tips, ideas, and inspiration to help you along a journey that may take longer than 21 days or become a part of your routine much faster. We’re here to help you change the way you think about time and how to use it. The #MakeTime Pledge will help you connect with others and make time for what you’re passionate about.