Habit


1.) A settled tendency of usual manner of behavior.  
2a.) An acquired mode of behavior that has become 
nearly or completely involuntary. 
2b.) Addiction. 
2c.) A pattern behavior acquired by frequent repetition 
or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance. 
(Merriam-Webster)


 We all have habits that we'd like to get rid of, and habits that we'd like to acquire. If only it were as easy to do just that.

 Turns out, it is.

 It's all about the little things. That's what James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results, says in regard to forming new habits. Don't beat yourself up if you have tried to do something over and over again, to no avail. 

 The problem is not you, it is the system you are using. 

 "Transform your habits, transform your life:"

 https://jamesclear.com/habits

 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/well/mind/how-to-build-healthy-habits.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/12/22/how-make-habit-stick-its-not-about-trying-harder/

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-our-habits/2015/12/31/1f3ab244-ad93-11e5-9ab0-884d1cc4b33e_story.html

 One way to start a new habit? Create a vision of what you want to achieve. This isn't new age nonsense, it is based on how our brains collect, store, and retrieve information:

 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/202001/formula-creating-good-habits-and-meeting-your-goals

 In a nutshell? Habits are formed one step at a time, consistently. They are best achieved if we revise how we approach them: start small, create images of what we want to do, figure out how the goals fit into our lives, and stick to them. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/could-we-come-out-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-with-new-more-healthful-habits/2020/03/26/bddfe78a-6f85-11ea-aa80-c2470c6b2034_story.html

"Drop by drop is the water pot filled." 
-Verse 122 of the Dhammapada (The Buddha's Path of Wisdom)
Image by JL G from Pixabay 
Letter H
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay 
Mandala

Comments

  1. KristinApril 9, 2020 at 6:20 PM

    I am sure that is the problem with implementing an exercise habit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Celia ReavesApril 11, 2020 at 8:17 AM

    It's interesting to think about how many habits we all have. Without habits we'd have to think about every single step of every single day, so they free up a lot of mental energy, but we can be slaves to the habits we've developed over time. I noticed a silly example recently when I injured my shoulder. I take off T-shirts with a particular movement that's hard on the shoulder, and for the life of me I can't switch to the other arm! That habit is just too strong. Now if I can only get such a strong habit for working out, but that's proving more difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sati ChockApril 29, 2020 at 5:01 PM

      This is very true. Sometimes we don't notice a habit at all, until we have no choice. Hope that shoulder is better!

      Delete

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