Over the years, many supposedly “good” habits have become automatic for me.
For me, a good habit is one that contributes to a higher quality of life. The science behind how we form habits has been studied extensively.
How hard would you say it is? When do you think you’ll be able to call this project done? Specifically, how does one go about breaking destructive habits? How can we form a new routine where we consistently act in a different way?
Anyone, in my opinion, is capable of developing any sort of habitual behaviour pattern they choose. The one and only requirement is a convincing justification for the change (I talk about that in-depth on this podcast episode).
Emotional distress accounts for nearly all instances in which a person is motivated to alter their behaviour. At some point, you realise that you simply can’t continue acting the way you have been.
Worrying about who you will be in the future is pointless. Consider the specific habits you wish to form and the reasons behind doing so.
In response to a friend’s recent inquiry, I’ll describe my current routines and offer a brief explanation for why I’ve come to adopt them.
1. Pick three or four goals to achieve each day
Effectiveness-wise, this strategy ranks among the best available options. If you want to succeed, you have to put in the work, and that work requires laser-like focus. You won’t get very far if you can’t concentrate. Therefore, how do you focus? Because of the lack of freedom and responsibility. The only way to fix this issue is to do away with it entirely. Clearly define your daily, weekly, and annual objectives. Every day, focus on the top three or four (doable) actions that will move you closer to your weekly and annual goals.
2. Read for at least sixty minutes every day.
You don’t have time to read right now, and I get that. For whatever reason, maybe reading isn’t something you enjoy doing. You will not be given a free pass. Reading regularly is a great way to keep your mind active and healthy. You knew that, of course. Yes, let’s give this a shot. The capacity for rational thought and the expression of that thought on paper are both enhanced by reading. Unfortunately, my dislike of reading remains unchanged. Everything in life has mundane tasks that we must complete. Reading every day will help you convince yourself that you despise the activity. And like a spell, reading will become something you look forward to doing.
3. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
I will never give up making sleep a priority. Since I tend to run late for morning meetings, I had to cancel one of them recently. In the previous night, I was reading a great book. As soon as I finished reading, I started taking notes. Then I glanced at my watch and saw that it was 2 a.m. I had to get up early in order to make it to my 7:30 a.m. meeting. The gathering was cancelled at my discretion. I refuse to sacrifice my need for 6 hours of sleep in order to get through the day without yawning. Some people may function just fine on 5 hours of sleep per night. Yet the vast majority of us need supplementary aid. Those who are in the second group should make getting enough sleep a top priority. Yes, you should really think about this. If you are unable to avoid events like meetings, try to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
4. Go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day.
My motivation for walking is not to improve my health. Walking has many positive effects on health, including maintaining physical fitness. But I make it a point to go for a walk every day because it helps me shake up my normal schedule. You can hardly act like your typical day is anything but routine. That’s perfectly acceptable, of course. However, the moment you step outside, you become one with the environment. This will heighten your senses and make them more acute. You’re welcome to bring along as many people as you like. It’s entirely possible that the two of you will have a pleasant conversation. You could also kick back and enjoy your environment.
5. Be in the here and now, number
In our eagerness to achieve, we have neglected to enjoy the present moment. This behaviour is one of my major character flaws. I have to constantly remind myself to forget the past and present and focus on the now. We’ll keep hanging around until we get what we’re looking for. If that happens, I can relax. If you can’t let go of the future and enjoy the present, you never will. Find something that will bring you back down to earth when you start daydreaming.
As an example, I recently purchased a new watch. It was also around this time that I began to immerse myself in readings on religious and philosophical topics. I now have to ask, “What time is it?” every time I want to know the current time. NOW.”
