12 years ago, I bought my first personal development book called “The Power of Habit” written by Charles Duhigg. I remember exactly when I bought this book. It was in September 2008, in Washington, D.C.
It was fascinating for me to discover how our life is run by our habits. In this book you discover how companies and individuals have achieved success by focusing on the patterns that shape every aspect of our life.
This book is the first one of a long series. It is still in my bookcase, back to the US after many years in France.
I want to explore the subject of habits a little more.
A habit is an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary, in effect it is a typical manner of behavior.
Your life today is essentially the sum of your habits.
How in shape or out of shape you are? A result of your habits.
How happy or unhappy you are? A result of your habits.
How successful or unsuccessful you are? A result of your habits.
Knowing your habits is a lifelong exercise and it takes time to form new habits.
What’s the idea behind creating new habits?
When you shape your life with good habits, your quality of life improves and you open to Infinite Possibilities. You achieve more with less energy.
You discover the art of living your dreams.
You have three types of habits: Motor habits, Intellectual habits and Habits of character or emotional habits.
What is the Secret to build good habits?
What I know for sure is that consistency is key.
Habit is a simple form of learning—a change of behavior with experience. It is defined as ‘an automatic response to a specific situation, acquired normally as a result of repetition and learning’.
The process of building a habit can be divided into four simple steps: cue, craving, response, and reward.
William James, the famous American psychologist has suggested the following measures for habit formation.
Strong motivation and a good start
Regular practice
Encouraging and supportive atmosphere
Don’t stop until your goal is achieved
What is the habit that you want to form?
Pick one of these or create your own:
Get on a good schedule.
Eat a healthy diet.
Practice gratitude.
Develop good study habits.
Never give up!
Manage money wisely.
Respect the environment.
Read.
Don’t be a couch potato.
Make Your Bed.
Learn something new every day.
Declutter your life.
Design a better morning routine.
Stop comparing to others
Always do your best.
Practice the four agreements.
Why do you want to form this habit?
Whether it is to think and grow rich or to uncover the life of your dreams, when you know your why it can be the best source of motivation.
After reading this, think about this new habit that you want to form, and make a personal commitment to practice your new habits daily until it is deeply rooted. You won’t regret it!
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