We’ve all heard that it takes a certain number of days to make or break a habit. Is it 21 days? 32 days? It seems that the formula for the number of days it takes to make or break a habit came from a self-help book of 30 years ago. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be scientific studies that establish a particular time frame. So if you are trying to create a new habit — meditate every day, exercise three times a week — or break a bad habit — cigarette smoking — stop looking at the calendar for some magic. A better approach is to create a series of small steps or goals to mark your progress along the way to the new, better you.