{"id":25920,"title":"Blog - Habits","description":"Blog - Habits","content":"

We all have habits be it good and bad....sleeping on the same side of the bed, loading the dishwasher in a certain way, folding clothes or not folding clothes as the case may be! I even heard one recently about the toilet roll needing to be hung a certain way!!<\/p>

Ultimately our daily routine is dominated by habits! Some that are forced upon us and others that we choose to adopt!<\/p>

\"6bbej8gidhyzvdufvj0k1rwjhc23ibjlzzzx8tl0xkus76yq.png\"So what is a habit?<\/p>

The dictionary definition states;<\/p>

a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.<\/p>

It is something we do without even thinking, a routine or behaviour that we have developed and done many times, it becomes second nature and something we don't need to think about.<\/p>

A habit is a pattern that has come about through repetition. A behaviour pattern that eventually can become so unconscious that we don't even realise we are doing it.<\/p>

\ufffcSo how do habits work?<\/p>

\"3ncndnmmkwu3tyt8vb7cteoatqvy5mhsaubbbbybrucpl86k.png\"<\/p>

In essence there is a trigger or a cue, it could be a place, time, situation, thought or belief. This triggers a routine or pattern. From this you get a reward that you want. In the case of exercise, if this is the situation, you walk away an hour later feeling more energised and good about yourself ie; the triggers! The more you get the rewards the more you are inclined to continue training and eventually it becomes a routine and habit!The same can be said for food or drink! Establishing good eating habits requires time, energy and commitment.<\/p>

How many of you get to Friday night and 'reward' yourself with a glass of wine or food? In this case the trigger is being at home on a Friday night after a week of work. You believe that you should have a reward for the week and so the routine is to have a glass or treat to unwind and relax!<\/p>

\ufffcThe trouble is that not all habits are healthy and once engrained can be tricky to undo!<\/p>

So, how do you change a habit?<\/p>

The first thing to do is to identify the habit you wish to change. Ask yourself what is the trigger or the cue? If you can, identify the routine associated with the habit. Then consider the reward that you get from this habit. Is it a positive reward?!<\/p>

Once you've identified all of this you are in a better position to consciously change the trigger, develop a new routine and adjust the cues!<\/p>

However a word of warning at this point, it requires practice and patience. Be kind to yourself as you won't change the habit immediately it will take time and there will be days when you don't get it right! Practice doesn't make perfect;<\/p>

\"practice makes permanent\"<\/p>

Quote heard on Strongfirst course.<\/p>

Tips for sustaining a new habit.<\/p>

1. Find your motivation. What is it that is driving you to make the change? Is it an external or internal influence? Work out why you want to do it?<\/p>

2. Don't take on too much too soon. Make a small change that is manageable. Start small!<\/p>

3. Don't constantly criticise yourself for what you've not achieved and focus on what you have. In essence don't be so hard on yourself.<\/p>

4. Talk about it and enlist the help of friends to support you along the way. They may even join you, sharing your journey will make it easier.<\/p>

5. Be accountable to someone who will check in with you and support you along the way.<\/p>

6. Develop a routine. The more you practice something the more engrained it will become.<\/p>

7. Understand what your goal is and what you are working towards. Make sure the goal is achievable and realistic.<\/p>

And as Covey states in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People;<\/p>

\"Start with the end in mind\"<\/p>

\"xaemw4xmh12mlz1dv69fpqtqzkui5dqowktqeynurq0dec3f.png\"<\/p>

\ufffc<\/p>

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