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No matter how determined you are, there’s only so much that can fit into a single day. Every small business owner knows the feeling of a never-ending to-do list stretching far beyond the hours available in a day. The simple fact is, we can’t bend time or create extra hours in the day. But we can make small, manageable changes to how we use the time we already have.

One of the most effective ways to do this is through a simple technique called habit stacking. Rather than trying to squeeze new tasks into an already busy schedule, habit stacking encourages you to attach a new habit to one you already do automatically. So, if you always start your day with a cup of tea, why not use that moment to quickly review your priorities for the day? By pairing these actions together, the new habit rides the momentum of the existing one, making it easier to remember and follow through. Habit stacking is really useful for things like organising expenses, posting on social media or following up on emails and phone calls - you know ... the things that often drop off the bottom of the to-do list.

The great thing is, habit stacking isn’t just for business life. You can use it in any part of your day to make positive change feel effortless. For example, I use it myself to remind me to send birthday cards - tied to planning the week ahead. And I link taking my supplements to my morning tea ritual (Ancient & Brave Collagen – an essential in my life!).

But why does this work so well? The answer lies in how our brains organise behaviour. According to research by Dr Phillippa Lally and colleagues from University College London, habits don’t form overnight; they develop through repeated practice over a median of 66 days, with significant variation depending on the individual and complexity of the habit (Lally et al., 2010). Habits create strong neural pathways, making certain behaviours automatic and effortless. When a new habit is linked – or stacked - with an existing, well-established behaviour, your brain can more easily ‘chunk’ the two together, reducing the mental effort needed to remember the new action.

In other words, habit stacking is working with your brain’s natural wiring to make positive routines stick, without adding extra pressure. You’re not finding more time; you’re making the time you have count more.

Follow me for simple, practical tips for small business owners. For even more advice and personalised support, visit my website at insideoutcomms.co.uk. And if you’re already using habit stacking, I’d love to hear how it’s made a difference for you.

Reference: Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H., Potts, H. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998-1009.