Everyone is afraid of change. We have our own way of living and we don’t want to change. Getting on a new routine or changing our lifestyle sounds too much of a work. Most of us often take up new habits, like I always try to take up the habit of drinking sufficient amount of water but after few days of following this practice, I would again slip into my old habit of neglecting my water intake.
Now, this is just one example. People often try to take up resolutions or form new habits but after just a few days of practicing, they tend to fall back on their old routine. So does that mean that we cannot change? Or does that mean that there’s no room for improvement in our lives?
But why change right?? Well let me share some facts with you, do you know that our habits form about 45% of our total behavior, as per a study conducted by Duke University. A habit is a type of behavior that is repeated often and tends to take place automatically. Habits act as our foundation, and if this foundation is not strong, we won’t be satisfied with the way our life is going.
“Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach
ImgCredits – thoughtbrick
Changing old habits or forming new ones is difficult but not impossible. The best way to do this is to take baby steps. What I am trying to say is, if you try to change too much too quickly you’ll fail because your new habit requires more determination than you can gather. We need to plan for small but consistent change this requires lesser determination and willpower, hence you will certainly succeed.
See Also: 11 Reasons Why You Must Not Set New Year Resolutions This Year
Challenge yourself for next 30 days, just focus on 1 habit at a time. I want you to write down your habit on a paper along with positive affirmations.
Be fully committed to your new habit – for instance, if you want to start working out for losing weight then make a mini habit of doing 5 crunches every day for 30 days I know it sounds stupid I mean what are 5 crunches going to do for anyone? However, if you look at the big picture you’ll see that it is not about how much you do, it is actually about how long you continue to practice it.
ImgCredits – mariamore
CONSISTENCY is the key here. Say if you are keeping a realistic and minimal goal of 5 crunches then you won’t let yourself to give up.
For this period of 30-days log your progress (actual entries only), to make sure you don’t slip, make your attempts public (Hello Facebook!) so that you remain publicly answerable, you can easily do this with some help from your Facebook or Twitter buddies (if you fail, you’re friends are going to put some mean comments on your post, that ought to keep you on track).
Reward yourself for your success. In case you fail, figure out what went wrong, plan for it, and make an effort once more.
Mini habits that you can adopt for your 30-Days Challenge:
- Make your bed as soon as you wake up in the morning
- Cultivate a morning routine
- Meditate for a minute or Perform asanas
- Do five crunches, push-ups, or squats
- Think/Write two affirmative thoughts daily
- Complement someone
- Read two pages from a book
- Drink 8 glasses of water
- Eat at least one healthy meal
- Make it a habit to have one fruit/veggie a day
- Reduce sugar consumption by 1 spoon everyday
- Take a stroll of 100 steps
- Write 50 words
- Save a dollar
- Stop snoozing
- Wake up 5 minutes early
- Take baby steps to quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Declutter by getting rid of at least one thing a week
- Avoid digital distractions when working
- Thank/Pray before you sleep
- Invent your own mini habit
In the end:
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Saint Francis of Assisi. Change your momentum with these mini habits; get rid of the anxiety and expectations, just start.
Believe me, you can transform any aspect of your life by working on one mini habit at a time. Don’t forget to share your 30-day challenge in comments below.
