It is a good saying: a habit is not a need. Thinking about why we have these things going in one way or another helps us modify our patterns; it is good to analyze our behavior. Most importantly, to be honest with ourselves.
What is a habit?
What is a habit? Habit is a pattern of something done repeatedly, not thinking and feeling how and why it happens. For example, people like to shorten their nails by cutting them with their teeth. Not so a lovely view for somebody who sees this situation. Habits to people of being late, lying to themselves, scratching a nose, or spending time on the couch are just a few of our behavior. Look around at first. It is easier to see other people’s bad habits compared with yourself.
5-second rule by Mel Robbins
Paying attention to your thoughts
These behavior patterns keep us in the cycle. If we do not pay attention to ignore why we are doing it in this way and what kind of consequences are iI, we will be stuck in the same place. Changing habits is not as easy as it seems. You know about New Year’s resolutions. It does not matter what it is; for most of us, these promises disappear like the mist from the sun. It is so easy to go back to old, known patterns. It does not mean that we do not want to change the old lifestyle or remove something that does not work for us from our lives.
We need to constantly guard our thoughts, behavior, and actions to protect our thoughts, behavior, and activities. The 5-second rule, created by Mel Robbins, helps change habits too.
The way to rid of habits
The same method for goals works for habits too. You can pick a sheet of paper and write down which habits bother you. Write data when you would like to start and finish. It is known that changing habits takes twenty-one day days. Other authors give 40 days. Of course, at first, you need to decide which practices are corrupt for you. Take everything seriously for yourself. It is everything about you. Changing patterns is not easy; why you do not see leaders everywhere?
It is an excellent technique to reward yourself after reaching the slightest advantage. If you go back to the old behavior, relax, tell yourself that it is not the end, and start again. Be gentle with yourself but firm.
Make a vision board
Everybody has dreams, small or big. It does not matter what kind of ideas they are. It is yours. Routines in life can hide your visions. Tasks and worries can make your dreams float away from you. To be alert and keep yourself in the right direction, it is good to have a vision board. For example, you want to visit a particular show or place. There is so much information about every object, such as pictures or descriptions from newspapers or magazines. Pin these cute pieces of your desired object to the board and check it as much as possible. In your subconscious mind will be images of your destination. If you always walk slouching or are shy to dance openly, pick pictures with an expression of these actions, which you would like to turn into a new habit.
All set for change
Now you know how to prepare yourself for changing habits for a prosperous future. You identified them and found time and patience to move to new patterns which are best for you. You used tools like a vision board to strengthen your influence to keep your will and imagination working for you. Now it is time to register your progress. Are you happy with the changes? If not, check again what you expect from yourself. What would you like to reach, and how to replace your character’s details?
Of course, it is not easy to change stubborn habits. If everything went smoothly, we would have plenty of happy people around. Why? Everybody wants to see changes in all areas of their lives. Unfortunately, just a few of us get up from the couch and take action.
What and who made us without strong solid characters and stubborn will? There are plenty of reasons and explanations, but from my point of view, I see that most people in civilized countries have lost a sense of reality.
They do not know what being hungry, and afraid of bombs, or arrests mean. Every nation had its share of sorrow and loss. However, some of them forgot about it because it happened many years ago.
Most of us who do not need to worry about basic needs are content with what we have. We do not think we could live a lot better lives if we changed our habits.
What kind of habits would you ask? Discipline, responsibility and a strong wish to reach the highest ground disappear from many heads.
Get help from friends
It is an excellent thing to tell your good friends or people you trust about your intentions. They can help to keep you on track. If you do not have them, it is okay. You have the best support in the world: yourself. Give a big smile for yourself, tell yourself I love you, and move on. For everybody, the time changing habits and speed are different.
Most importantly, you know what you want to change, and you will. Believe in yourself, and do not let anybody throw you off the chosen path. It is your life, for Pete’s sake.
Update. Robin Sharma, a famous coach, and writer, points out that we need 66 days to form a new habit or lose an old one. He says that scientists from Harvard found out that this term works. I tried by myself to drop one practice that I got from the first class. At the same time, I decided to skip Facebook for 66 days and spent my time on better things, such as time with friends or reading books. What can I tell? It worked for me. I did not have any problems with both habits. It seems that the mind can serve you in powerful ways.
