|
Can You Create a New Habit in 21 Days?
"Fake it 'til you make it." We've all heard the cliché for approaching something that seems out of reach.
But have you ever given much thought to what it takes to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be when it comes to eliminating old habits and forming new ones?
Success is habitual.
We have all witnessed those who seemingly achieve amazing feats over and over. What allows one person to be an automatic peak performer every day without fail while others experience failure after failure? Most likely, the achievers have created and practiced success systems, habits, and rituals that serve rather than detract from their goals.
It pays to take a holistic look at the current habits and patterns in ALL areas of your life. You cannot change what you don't acknowledge, so it pays to get real and be brutally honest with yourself so you can finally align your habits with your dreams.
How to Create New and Empowering Habits
1. Identify your current habits, the good, the bad and the ugly. You have probably practiced many of the same habits throughout your life without realizing it. Keep a pen and paper handy throughout the day to capture habits as you become aware of them. From the moment you wake up to the moment your eyes close at night, most of your thoughts, words, and actions are habitual. Write them down on paper. If you get stuck, ask others around you what habits they notice in you. This might take a few days.
2. Once you have identified your dominant habits, identify the source of those habits. Most of your habits were programmed into you at a very early age without you even realizing it. Many of your habits come from observing your dominant parent or caregiver. If you are habitually late, perhaps this trait was modeled for you by someone you admire. From the brand of car you drive to the brands of food you purchase, many of these habits were modeled for you and you practice them subconsciously.
Here are some common negative habits:
-reading the newspaper first thing in the morning
-going to bed too late
-cleaning obsessively
-exercising excessively or not exercising at all
-excessive credit card debt
-choosing toxic relationships
-not setting goals
-procrastination
-impulsiveness
-dishonesty
-hoarding
-negative self talk
-criticism of others
-smoking
-overeating
-workaholic
-alcoholic
-over committing to things
Often you can look at your parents, examine their habits, and see them in yourself. This exercise is not to judge others or yourself. It is simply to identify. This is VERY important if you have children because your current habits are likely to be modeled by them. What habits and traits do you want to instill in them?
Second part in September, 2009 issue.
About the Author:
Jill Koenig is "The Goal Guru" A Self Made Millionaire and America's Top Goal Coach
Copyright 2009 Jill Koenig
For additional information about the Author and her work, please visit her at www.TheGoalGuru.com Jill has many tools and resources to offer. |
