It appears it is always easier to develop a bad habit than it is to form a good one.
In this article, I'm going to write about a few ways you can develop good, positive, lifelong habits. Let me know what you think. Comments, insights, and testimonies are appreciated. As a few resources for this article, I used: http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/developing-habits.html and http://www.lds.org/callings/relief-society/leader-resources/new-relief-society-sisters/pursuit-of-excellence?lang=eng
Ways to Help You Develop Good Habits
Before I start anything else, I'd like to define "habits." A habit means (according to Encarta Dictionary): A regularly repeated behavior pattern or addiction. I personally like to think of a habit as the result of a commitment. A commitment is a devotion or dedication. So, this is a elongated Flame definition of a habit:
A regularly repeated behavior pattern which is the result of a previously made devotion or dedication.
When it comes to habits, you can't just set a goal. A goal is something you are simply shooting for. A commitment is a promise, a devotion, or a dedication. So, when you start off to make your new habit, make sure you commit to it.
1. Identify what qualifies as a good habit and which ones you'd like to develop...
The first key to developing good habits is identifying what habits are good and which ones you'd like to become nice and familiar with.
So, I'm going to make a brief list of habits you may consider developing:
- Serve others daily. This is something I call SASS: Secret Act of Silent Service.
- Exercise daily.
- Pray daily.
- Study your scriptures/Core Book daily.
- Go to bed early.
- Wake up early.
- Using good table manners.
Really there are so many habits you could develop. Make sure you identify which ones you'd like to develop.
How do you identify a good habit?
Well, it's quite simple:
-Identify: What does it do for you? And what does it do to you?
-Identify: Does this make you a better person? Does this help you progress?
Identify: WHY do I want to develop this habit?
2. Make a clear goal/commitment and make sure your habit is not a goal.
Be precise in what you want.
-I want to be to bed @ 9:00.
-I want to exercise for 30 minutes daily.
-I want to always say please and thank you.
Make sure that your "habit" is repeatable. There's a difference between just a goal and a habit.
A goal is something you may attain once or twice. A habit is something you want to attain over and over again.
Goal: I want to loose five pounds in one month.
Well, that's a great goal! But if you want to make that a habit, you'll be overly skinny and sickly in a while.
Habit: I commit to exercising 30 minutes every day.
That's great! You can do that every day. It will help you to become a better, fitter person, it is a clear goal, and it is attainable (which we'll talk about in a minute.)
Remember, you habit must first start with a commitment: I commit to reading my scriptures 20 minutes every morning. I commit to practicing piano for 30 minutes every night.
Once your habitual commitment is clear, precise, and for sure committed, then you are set to go.
3. Make sure your habit is attainable.
Make sure your habit is something you can do. No making a commitment to habit to climb Mount Everest every morning before breakfast. Uh-uh. Not happening.
Attainable? Yes, attainable. Make sure you can accomplish this habit. That doesn't mean make your habit commitment easy. You want to stretch and challenge yourself! But make sure you are realistic.
A realistic, attainable, but yet challenging habit will be one you really want to work for.
I really want to gain the habit of stretching for 15 minutes before school each day.
Is that attainable? Yes.
Is it practical? Yes.
Is it a habit, not a goal? Yes.
Will it challenge me? Yes.
4. Make sure your habit STAYS habit.
Once you gain a good habit, you don't want to let it go. Though it takes some time to create a habit, you can easily disturb your habitual routine. Despite how hard it may be to wake up and exercise before school; despite how tired you are before you go to bed - you can't let go of your habit. Keep exercising. Keep brushing your teeth. Keep studying. Don't let one measly moment disturb a lifetime (or even a couple years' worth) of habit! You will regret it!
So, to sum it up!
1. Identify the habit you want to develop, why you want to develop it, and if it is a good habit.
2. Make your habit clear.
3. Make sure your habit is repeatable and is not just a goal. It is a lifetime of COMMITMENT!
4. Make sure it is attainable AND challenging.
5. Keep that habit. :)
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