Cultivate new Habits.

Whether it is constantly hitting the snooze button, indulging in unhealthy snacks, arriving late to appointments, or procrastinating on important tasks, we all have habits that we would like to change. But, I think that we can all agree that breaking old habits and developing new ones can be challenging. So, how do we adopt good habits that will stick?

Contrary to popular belief, forming good habits does not require iron willpower or a miraculous overnight transformation. Effective transformation requires consistency and incremental progress. We must begin by identifying the habits that we wish to cultivate. Exercising regularly, reading more books, practicing mindfulness, drinking more water—once we have pinpointed the desired habit, we can break it down into small, manageable steps. For example, if we wish to exercise more, we can commit to going for a 10-minute walk every day and then gradually increase the duration or intensity over time.

It is also important for us to create an environment conducive to the habits that we are trying to create. We can surround ourselves with reminders and cues that remind us of our intentions. If we want to drink more water, for example, we can keep a bottle of water on our desk and set reminders on our phone. We can also eliminate unnecessary temptations or potential obstacles that may hinder our progress. If late-night snacking is our downfall, we can remove unhealthy snacks from our pantry and replace them with healthier alternatives. 

If we want to create effective habits, we have to be consistent. It begins with a commitment to practice our desired habits every day, even if it is only for a few minutes. Over time, these small actions will add up and become ingrained into our daily routine. We will encounter setbacks along the way—that is normal; but, instead of dwelling on our slip-ups, we can focus on the wisdom gained from those missteps and get back on track. We have to be patient with ourselves, remembering that even our bad habits were not created in a day.  It is going to take time. 

Another effective strategy for habit development is accountability. Consider sharing your goals with friends, family members, or mentors who will provide support and encourage us along the way.  We can join community accountability groups or partner with others with similar goals to stay motivated and inspired. Accountability partners provide valuable feedback, celebrate our successes, and help keep us accountable when the going gets tough.

We can also track our progress by keeping a journal or a habit-tracking app to stay accountable. Seeing our habits visually represented can be incredibly motivating and help us identify the patterns and areas that could benefit from improvement. Experiment with different tracking methods until we find one that works best for us.

When we are developing new habits, it is important to be mindful. Change of any kind can be challenging, so we must be patient with ourselves and accept that we will make mistakes along the way. 

We should never underestimate the power of rewards and incentives. We can treat ourselves to small rewards to celebrate our continued progress and success. Rewarding ourselves can reinforce positive habits and make the process less tedious.

Success or sabotage? It is important to remember that change does not happen overnight. With dedication and perseverance, we can create lasting habits that enrich our lives in meaningful ways. 

Is this going to be an incredible day? What habits can we create to get the most out of this day?

Develop conscious Habits.

Habit is most often empowered by the unconscious and can work for our greater good or as the champion of self-sabotage. It is a programmed response and a learned behavior not necessarily founded on reason or logic.  

What are your habits? Are they leading you to greater success or joy or are they obstructing your path?  When you choose to build physical muscle, you may lift weights. It is an uncomfortable exercise (downright painful at times!), but it results in stronger muscle tissue. The same principle can be utilized for success conditioning. What can you do to better condition yourself for success? What are the muscles that you need to build to live a more effective life?

Success or sabotage? In order to create greater success, you have to know what it looks like and be serious in your pursuit. Are you willing to surrender ineffective habits to meet your goals? 

Is this going to be an incredible day? What habits can you develop to seize every opportunity and appreciate every day?

Condition your Success.

There is a big difference between a habit and reflex. Habits can be consciously created, while reflexes are something that just happen. For example, when you drive a car, you have to consciously think about each step you take - turning the wheel, stepping on the gas pedal, braking. This is because driving is a habit that must be learned. But when you blink, your eyes automatically close; that's a reflex. You don't have to think about it - it just happens.

One of the best ways to create new habits is to be mindful of what you're doing. Pay attention to each step and make sure that you're doing them correctly. Then, once the habit is ingrained, you can do it without thinking about it. Another way to create habits is through conditioning. When you're accustomed to doing something every day, you'll do it automatically.

Success, by any definition, is a product of conditioning. It requires you to align your thoughts, words, and actions with a specific vision. Naturally, this demands that you know what it is that you are attempting to create. How are you defining "success"? How will you know when you have achieved it?

Once you have clearly defined what success means to you, you must begin to align your thoughts and words with your desires. Let's use a material example. If you want a new home and you continually speak about how you cannot afford one, you are obstructing your own possibility. Be conscious of your words. "I am so excited about the purchase of my new home. It is not yet clear to me how I will manage it, but I am choosing to believe that money making opportunities are on the way!" Take time every day to visualize yourself living in that house. See yourself in it. Feel what it will be like to reside in it. Enjoy it.

Explore your financial options. What would have to happen for you to be able to afford that house? What is the specific amount of additional income or money that will be required? Avoid the temptation to be discouraged; you are merely exploring the wealth of possibilities. Remember, there is no shortage of money or opportunities in the world. The one that is right for you will show up at the perfect time if you are in a state of excited expectancy.

Post pictures of your dream home where you will see it every day. Give thought to what you will be doing in that house--resting in your new bedroom, having friends over for dinner parties, etc.

Begin a gratitude journal, writing at least 5 things for which you are grateful each day. Appreciation is a magnet. You have to want what you have to get what you want.

All of these things in combination will become habits. They are a small example of how you may begin to condition yourself to receive that which you desire. After a while, they will become almost automatic (like brushing your teeth).

Success or sabotage? Only in a state of expectancy are we completely open and receptive to new means and opportunities for bringing our vision to fruition.

Is this going to be an incredible day? What kind of day are you expecting?

Change your Habits.

There is a difference between a reflex and a conditioned response. A reflex is an involuntary reaction to a stimulus. When the doctor tests your reflexes with his little mallet, you cannot prevent your leg from extending, even though you know what is about to happen. It is an involuntary, physical reaction. A conditioned response, on the other hand, is a learned behavior. We all have actions/reactions that are habitual based on our experiences. When I was 11, I played softball and was usually the pitcher. One day, I was hit in the eye with the softball. From that point forward, I would pitch the ball and (then) tuck my head. The experience caused me to act in a way that would prevent me from possible injury. I was forced to recondition myself to keep my face and eyes forward again to be an effective player.

Some conditioning is much more subtle and can be considered an obstacle to effective living. How do you sabotage yourself without even thinking about it? Are there ineffective actions in your life that have become so common place that you don’t even think about them?

Examine your actions today and notice how many things you do as a part of “routine living.” Ask yourself if these things serve you or if they have simply become a part of “your act.” If these actions do not serve you, take note of them and find a way to begin thinking of alternative actions/reactions. The key to effective living is conscious living. Happiness is a choice, not a gift that is rewarded to some and kept from others.

Success or sabotage? Awaken to the actions/reactions that no longer serve you. What can you do TODAY to create a necessary shift?

Is this going to be an incredible day? If you intention is to make this a great day (however you define it), see if your thoughts/actions support your intention.

Condition your Success.

Habit is most often empowered by the unconscious and can work for our greater good or as the champion of self-sabotage. It is a programmed response and a learned behavior not necessarily founded on reason or logic. 

What are your habits? Are they leading you to greater success or joy or are they obstructing your path?  When you choose to build physical muscle, you may lift weights. It is an uncomfortable exercise (downright painful at times!), but it results in stronger muscle tissue. The same principle can be utilized for success conditioning. What can you do to better condition yourself for success? What are the muscles that you need to build to live a more effective life?

Success or sabotage? In order to create greater success, you have to know what it looks like and be serious in your pursuit. Are you willing to surrender ineffective habits to meet your goals?

Is this going to be an incredible day? What habits can you develop to seize every opportunity and appreciate every day?

Create effective Habits.

Are you managing your life or is your life managing you? One of the greatest story lines on television was in the sitcom "Seinfeld" when George  got so fed up with his life that he decided to ignore his instincts and do everything the opposite of his inclination.  Once he made the switch, his life was magically transformed and he started to get everything that he wanted.  There was a great deal of truth in the plot. 

Sometimes we get so caught up in our story (our version of reality) that we forget that it is simply our viewpoint and our choices, not a definitive reality.  We often live as though the world is unfolding and we just showed up to watch.  We simply react to what we are given; we often act as if we have no responsibility for what happens in our lives.  This is a sure path to sustained misery.  For all practical purposes, we might as well just lay on the highway and beg the largest truck to run us over.

Our lives are a product of our thoughts and choices. Our thoughts and choices are habitual. How many times must we suffer from making ineffective choices before we awaken to the truth? When are we going to invest in the energy and discipline necessary to create the kind of lives that we say we want?

Notice how often you begin to validate feeling as if you are a victim of circumstance today.  Stop yourself (in mid-stream, if necessary) and disengage.  Start again...only this time come up with a solution to your challenge. What is one small step that you can take TODAY to create more effective habits?

Success or sabotage?  Which master are you serving?

Is this going to be an incredible day?  Are you ruling the day or is the day ruling you?

Create effective Habits.

Our lives are a product of our thoughts, words and actions. If we change our thinking and the actions that follow, we can literally reshape our lives to produce the joy and success that we ultimately desire.  Naturally, this is easier said than done. It may have taken us many years to develop our current thought patterns, beliefs and behaviors, so it is unlikely that it will be transformed on a whim.

Success, however it is defined, requires a clarity and discipline to bring it to fruition. Like exercise, you must work consistently in creating effective thought and behavior patterns that will produce more favorable outcomes. In order to begin, you must choose the form of excellence that you would like to create. If you are not clear about what it is that you are trying to produce, how can you possibly be successful in achieving your goal? This sounds fairly simple, yet you may find yourself plagued by a desire for perfection (tormented at the thought of making the "right decision). Rather than making an ineffective decision, you may not make one at all.

If you desire greater success, the best path is a plan of action. Surrender your concerns about whether the path is the correct path. Trust your instincts and go, knowing that you will get the information that you need along the way. If it is not the best path, how would you know if you had not taken the risk of the journey?

Success or sabotage?  How will you create more effective habits? What are you willing to do today to invite more success into your life?

Is this going to be an incredible day? How can you get in the habit of acknowledging the gift of every day?