Habits, Part Two. In the first story about habits, located here, we reflected on what makes healthy habits, and how to choose health physically, financially, mentally and more. Something that hit me recently is that maintaining healthy habits is almost harder than actually figuring out what habits we should change. So the topic of the day is how to maintain healthy habits. Mostly, this simply means that we need to create healthy behaviors as habits by repeating them over time until they stick. Consistency is key here, but we have found some other ways to keep ourselves engaged as well. If we can do something daily for an average of two months, the habit will become our nature (1). It takes energy to focus on creating a habit. However, the more we practice the habit, the less we need to consciously remind ourselves to be present in that habit. Said another way, as soon as we are comfortable with a habit, we can shift our focus to developing a new habit. In this way, we are gaining momentum as we incorporate new habits (because the other habits we are creating stay!). Think for example how it is to clean your teeth each night. That habit is ingrained. We don't need to think about how to brush, how to floss or anything else, we just do it. Here are some ways to add a habit into our personal lives:

  1. Associate the new habit with another habit (Examples: Reading after you clean your teeth, or running before you shower).
  2. Write down the habit or habits that you plan to focus on each week (and try to keep the list short, a long list can be distracting).
  3. Make it a challenge! For example, commit to ten days of a new habit with a partner to keep each other accountable.
  4. Focus on the benefits that the habit will bring into your life. So if you are working out, then focus on the lifestyle and health that you are creating for yourself.
  5. Make friends with people who already have the habits that you want to add into your life. They will have keys about how to get to where they are and will be able to give you guidance on your path.
  6. Watch videos, read books, listen to podcasts or audiobooks to find people who are already doing what you want to do.
  7. Visualize! See yourself performing the habit mentally. That way, when it comes time to actually perform the habit, you will be mentally ready. It helps to combine this visualization with good feelings like excitement, so that incorporating the new habit feels great.
  8. Reward yourself! When you complete a new habit, celebrate! High five friends or do something you really enjoy.

Most importantly, remember that this is a gradual process. Maybe, in the first week, start with a single habit. As soon as you feel that habit is natural, move onto the next until you have cultivated your greatest life. That's really what it takes. You have it in you, all you need to do is become yourself. The world isn't waiting, so why should you? Let's go! This life is made for the dreamers, the lovers, the peace-makers and people with dreams larger than life itself.