It’s all about decisions that generate behaviors
that create habits.
Consider this formula: Consistent behaviors = habits = results
In fact, did you know that the sum total of your life could be spelled out with five letters? That’s right. - H A B I T. Those five letters spell the word Habit. Habits are automated behaviors. They produce consistent, automated results.
We each have automated behaviors that get the desired results and the undesired results in life. Ultimately in changing anything in your life, it’s helpful to view it through the lens of habits.
With that in mind, building an awareness of your habits is the final component of improving the “Me in Team and Time.” Building awareness means taking yourself off automatic pilot and becoming more conscious of what you’re doing.
Here’s a quick exercise:
Identify a positive, consistent behavior in your life by filling in the blank below:
I’m in the habit of_______________________________________
Now identify something you’d like to change, but identifying it as a habit…fill in the blank again.
I want to develop the habit of_______________________________________
Habits are the hard-wired behaviors created and mapped in your brain, sourced primarily from your subconscious. The hard wiring, simply put, is the neural pathways mapped through doing or thinking the same things over and over again.
So in order for a change to occur or a new habit to be created, a new neural pathway has to be built. The key – the new action has to happen consistently and long enough for the new pathway to be built.
This is one reason people get discouraged when setting and then not meeting their New Year’s Resolution or other behavior based goals. The attempt to change does not happen long enough for the neural pathway to be created.
I recently ran across a poem devoted to the word habit.
HABIT
“I am your constant companion; I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I’m completely at your command.
Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed. You must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men and alas of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those of you who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine although I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a man. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin. It makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I’ll put the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am HABIT!”
Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy - Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book - The Seminar
Other readings on Kindle & Nook: Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out | Your Life Through the Lens of Time
This blog is based on this book. In it are actionable ideas on being a better manager: The 1% Edge - The Workbook - Power Strategies to Increase Your Management Effectiveness
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