Please Wait... Your Habit is Downloading

I was backing up a bunch of large files from my laptop to our external harddrive and as you've doubtlessly encountered, the more files you copy at once, the slower each individual file transfer rate.  I think the same applies to habit changes.  The more things you try to change at once, the longer it takes each individual one to take hold, and realistically probably gets dropped instead.  That's a danger when the moment of inspiration and motivation occurs and you're ready to go gangbusters on overhauling your life.  Maybe you can handle 3 or 5 or 10 habit changes at once but you'll probably be more effective and master one quicker if you focus solely on one or an interrelated group of habits.

For example, I began Wing Chun Kung Fu training last month and in process determined that I'd function better in the martial arts if I got my body into better overall conditioning.  That conditioning supports my new habit so subsequent habits in fitness and nutrition were added to my "file transfer" so to speak.  I could probably focus solely on Wing Chun and gain a deeper understanding of the art in shorter time, but in this case, I believe I will experience and perform the art better if I split that time with adding new fitness and diet routines.  These things are connected and reinforce one another.  However, it would probably be a bad time to start learning a new programming language or how to hang glide or add a new skill to my arsenal that isn't related to my current project.

That said, a new habit or routine can be set fairly quickly - 3-4 weeks of consistent practice.  When you get to the point where you don't have to consciously remind yourself to keep up with the new routine and it just happens, then it's a good time to apply brain power to the next project.