Big results happen when you adopt small rituals.

We read self-help books because they appeal to our innermost desire for a lighter, more meaningful and exuberant existence. We plan to change but never seem to get there. We toss the book and continue the way we were. The miracles promised by the author never materialize.

Self-help books capitalize on our thirst for happiness and balance. There is one for every conceivable life choice and more keep appearing. They are often bestsellers. They help us believe in magical transformations and the perfect life.

Is it wrong to read self-help books? No. You may have a problem, though, if you are spending more time reading self-help books instead of using that time to develop little steps that will help you work towards actual change.

One reason self-help books may not be working for you is because you may be skimming blurbs, form an opinion from social media shares and browse author interviews instead of reading the full book. Sometimes, you might read a few chapters and never get back to it. You could also be following the herd and read a trending book without enjoying it. Or read one because those you consider more important or better in some way are reading it although it may be irrelevant to your experience.

Go through a self-help carefully, taking your time to absorb it. Take notes, ponder every sentence, and read slowly. This may take a few days or even more. Soak up messages that are relevant to your life experience and use them to create lasting changes.

Instead of flitting from one self-help book to the next best-selling one, use your time to develop rituals based on a book you have already read. Refer to your notes and explore how you can make meaningful tweaks to develop yourself. I say ‘tweaks’ because good, solid habits are built on months of following tiny rituals.

Don’t wait to feel inspired or expect to be inspired by external sources including your family, friends or colleagues. You are accountable for changing yourself and making good habits stick. Remember, the ‘right moment’ never happens. Start now.

Make your environment more conducive for your ritual’s success. Don’t assume that you will remember to follow a new ritual. Write down the steps and abide by them. For instance, if you would like to drink more water, make sure you have a bottle of water where you can see it, close to you. All day, every day. Alarms and reminders will also help. Pat yourself even if you drink a little more water than usual. Keep at it until you reach your goal.

Persistent, painstaking devotion to small rituals yields big results. Behavioral change takes effort and dedication. Good things happen when you commit to moving forward one step at a time. What ritual are you going to create to ensure your personal transformation?

Drop by drop is the water pot filled. – Buddha