Habits what are they? A settled or regular tendency or practice" Something we do on a regular You don't decide your future, your habits decide your future! Managing Yourself Our habits govern our lives, literally. Research shows that around half of our daily actions are driven by repetition This is probably why behavioral scientists and psychologists have spent so much time writing about how to establish and keep positive habits. Regular sleep and exercise, a healthy diet, an organized schedule, and mindfulness are just a few examples of practices that — if done regularly — can improve our work, relationships, and mental health. A habit is a behavior done with little or no thought, while a routine involves a series of behaviors frequently, and intentionally, repeated. A behavior has to be a regularly performed routine before it can become a habit at all. Surprisingly, the first step towards creating long-term change involves building routines — not habits themselves. Routines vs. Habits Most of us assume the two are interchangeable. When we fail at forming new patterns of behavior, we often blame ourselves from lack of understanding of the difference Pick the behavior you want to turn into a habit wisely. Maybe you want to drink more water throughout the day or skip checking your email first thing in the morning. Whatever you choose, be realistic about the process. It will take patience, self-discipline, and commitment. Dedicated and commitment is what, time and again, has proven to lead to change. What Does It Really Take to Build a New Habit? 1. Identify Your Habits. The first step to changing your behaviour is to create an awareness around what you do regularly. Look for patterns in your behaviour and what triggers the unhealthy habits you want to change. 2. Make a Plan. Make a plan that includes small, reasonable goals and specific actions you'll take to move toward them. Consider what you think you'll need to be successful. How can you change things around you to support your goals? You might need to stock up on healthy foods, remove temptations, or find a special spot to relax. 3. Stay on Track. ... Identify negative thoughts and turn them into realistic, productive ones, 4. Think About the Future. You can learn to postpone immediate gratification through future thinking, or vividly imagining future positive experiences or rewards. It's a great way to strengthen your ability to make decisions that are better for you in the long run." 5. Be Patient. You're never too out of shape, too overweight, or too old to make healthy changes. Try different strategies until you find what works best for you. "Things may not go as planned, and that's okay, Change is a process. "The amount of time it takes will vary from person to person." Developing a pleasurable habit, like eating chocolate for breakfast, for instance, may take a day, while trying to exercise at 5 pm each evening may take much longer. Prepare for roadblocks Reflect on why, why you haven't regularly practiced this behavior. What has stopped you in the past? Is fear or shame getting in the way? Or a lack of time? "Familiarize yourself with your own blockers now so that you can quickly identify and manage them when they arise later on, because they will but you want to be equipped to handle the challenge To avoid this occurrence from happening in the future, block 30 to 60 uninterrupted minutes on your calendar right now. Maybe you're just not feeling motivated enough lately. To keep yourself accountable, find an ally (or two) to share your goals with. This could be a trusted manager, peer, friend, partner, or family member. What's important is to continue to be intentional That's what I have for you today and I hope this adds value to your life! Knowledge applied is POWER! This is Master Coach G and I'll see you on the next level!
