The power of building positive habits
As human beings, we are creatures of habit.
Day after day, we wake up and start our routine with the same habits as the day, week, or year before.
Most of us are unaware of our habits. We do them while we focus on something else.
The downside of a busy lifestyle when most things conclude on autopilot.
Constantly rushing from here to there and then back to here, only to realise that we haven’t even been fully present, neither here nor there.
So, you got the message. Life is busy; this is the 'norm.'
People frequently say, "Life is busy, life is hectic" this is the affirmation most people live by.
Ultimately, these words are mighty and carry a lot of energy and power.
The more we believe in them, the more we live in a world of fear and panic. Nonetheless, it doesn't fail in its repetition. It goes on and on, generation after generation.
Identifying your habits, it's not an easy process; when high traffic moves through your brain, carrying roughly 60000 thoughts per day, not to mention that 80% of our thoughts are negative.
So, subconsciously, we are wired to have more negative habits.
However, this is not all bad because it doesn't have to stay this way. Like with most changes, a new beginning starts with awareness.
If you don't like your life change your habits.
Start small.
Positive habits empower the Spirit within you.
Negative patterns strengthen the Ego.
What exactly is a habit?
A habit is a normal behaviour that may occur unconsciously because most people avoid being present at every moment. (Remember the character Robert from “Everybody loves Raymond” – he used to touch his food to his chin before eating. Interestingly, he wasn’t even aware of doing it until Raymond, his brother, pointed it out to him). The longer we practice a habit, the harder it feels to let go of it. We hold onto our habits because we have become habits. Frequently you hear people say: “I always did it like that.” Now, this is relevant for positive and negative patterns.
How is the habit formed?
The person who introduced toothbrushing to America in early 1900 was the American businessman called Claude C. Hopkins. How did he do that? Charles Duhigg explains this in his book “The Power of Habit.” He wrote: “Hopkins created a toothbrushing habit by identifying a simple and obvious cue, delivering a clear reward, and most important by creating a neurological craving.”
Why do habits emerge?
The human brain has evolved immensely with time and is looking for shortcuts to save energy. Scientists say that this is the cause why we have habits. It’s practical for the brain to initiate habits almost out of everything; in this way, the mind is available to rummage into the past and the future and then back to the past. Once a habit is formed, there is no need to involve the brain in decision-making.
Does a habit disappear?
According to science, habits never really disappear. They are ingrained into our brains, and that’s brilliant because it would be terrible if we had to relearn how to drive after every holiday.
How to become aware of your habits?
One way to notice your habits is to practice mindfulness. Choose one day per month when you are less busy and pay close attention to your daily routine. Start writing everything down, beginning with your morning routine, lunch behaviours, dinner patterns, and anything else. Do this exercise with an open mind and open heart. Leave behind any judgment or self-criticism. Perhaps start with an intention like “I would like to improve my life and become aware of my habits.”
How long until a habit becomes automatic?
According to a 2009 European Journal of Social Psychology study, it takes 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit. The study concluded that it takes 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic.
Why do we need positive habits?
We not only need positive habits but a positive attitude towards life in general. The pillars of a happy and healthy life are healthy and positive habits. Your habits are who you are 90% of the time. Imagine this: if you are into the habit of exercising every day for the next 5yr, you will look very different from the person who would rather lie on a couch and watch the telly for the next 5yr, right? Ask yourself a few questions like: Is this my best life? What do I want from this lifetime? I know I can do better than this; what do I need to change my habits? The more awareness you create around your habits, the more you want to change them. Good and positive habits allow you to reach your goals. Warning! You don’t have to transform all your habits at once. Start with one habit and work on it until it’s transformed as you want it to.