But it won’t be easy….
Habits are the foundation of our lives that shape who we are, built through daily repetition.
I never realized until now how our habits unconsciously run our entire lives. Well, I see their impact on my productivity, mindset, and purpose in living.
It’s not merely a set behavior that runs an aspect of our lives, but it’s much more than that.
The Domino Effects of Habits
You know habits have a domino effect; they impact other aspects of our lives, causing a chain reaction.
Suppose you’re in the habit of eating junk food; we all do at some point. But this will not only affect your health but also your daily mobility, brain health, productivity at work, and even relationships.
So, becoming more mindful is the ultimate hack to spot them.
So where should one start?
Don’t rush.
Start with the first step, that is, introspection.
Hardwired habits and behaviours run on autopilot mode. They become our default system of function. So much so that we hardly realize or think about why we behave a certain way.
So, changing them requires conscious effort and self-reflection. Actively notice habits that negatively impact your life and consider their effects on other areas as well.
- Identify one habit that needs to change.
Pay close attention to your daily routine. See the action that’s impacting you adversely. Analyze its possible effects on other areas of your life. If you can’t figure it out yet, that’s okay. For the next few days, consciously feel its effects on you.
Ask yourself a few questions to get more clarity —
- How does it make you feel?
- What triggers it?
- Observe your state of being when you give in to the loop of the habit.
2. Change the narrative
Now that you know what’s causing it, change the narrative in your head first. Accept that this habit is not good for you and your well-being. Keep affirming that it needs to change. Visualize all the possible good effects you will experience once you fix it.
3. Introduce a small change in the beginning.
Start with a small change. Practice consistently for the first few days at a comfortable pace. Be sure to be a little strict with the routine in the beginning and avoid giving yourself days off.
4. Remain consistent.
Consistency defines your success. Don’t worry about doing everything perfectly the first time. Promise yourself to maintain consistency no matter what. Missed a workout? Walk for 15 minutes. Train your brain to build a new habit and replace the old one.
5. Be patient.
Change takes time and consistent effort, so develop patience. It’s easy to get off track in the beginning if you see no results. Remember, habits take time to build and change, so enjoy the process and track your progress.
One habit at a time
To improve life, we need the right systems in place more than just willpower. Habits are those systems that hold the power to change the direction of our lives for the better.