A Force of Habit
( The audio is not a transcription but acts as an introduction to this blog post. and recorded at the weekend.)
There are books written just about Habits, how to form good ones, and how to discard the bad, so this post can only touch the surface. Therefore, I see this as an introduction and some thoughts on the effects of developing better routines and ways to organise your time and your life.
Some of you may have heard of James Clear, the giant in this field. The subject of how simple tasks repeated multiple times equaling compelling results. This momentum creates a clear line. A line that separates who gets ahead and who gets left behind.
Small efforts over time is the path to choose:
Habits in themselves as tasks are often very easy to do but the action of doing them consistently to create a long-lasting benefit is often one that people fail on, me included.
In his book ‘Atomic Habits’ James’ title suggests there is a power of great magnitude at play here which when utilised can move mountains and catapult us like atomic bombs into the stratosphere of success.
His Newsletter 3-2-1 is one that I never bypass each Thursday to read in my inbox. Both James, and Darren Hardy in his book ‘The Compound Effect’ write about the 1% marker in improvement in small and seemingly insignificant efforts producing remarkable results when compounded over time.
We know this works within the laws of financial Investment so why not within the laws of one own self and the way we go about doing things, or not doing them? Alternatively, we all know what happens when the ship or the plane is of course by 1% and as James writes:
“Conversely, if you get 1% worse each day for one year, you’ll decline nearly down to zero from the 37% increase if you became 1% improved at something.” Habits are the compound interest in self-improvement.
But you may ask, I am comfortable with where I am so why should I bother?
Well, a positive effect of developing better ways of doing things, or to be frank making better life choices in one’s action have an overwhelming effect on productivity, lack of stress, more knowledge, potentially better income and can lead to more meaningful relationships.
Ask yourself one question. What one annoying thing do I want to shift out of my life? What is stopping you from doing it? I think we all have at least one habit we would like to ditch.
The Habit Stack:
In ‘Atomic Habits’ James talks about how to make a new habit stick and it’s by a system called Habit Stacking. Simply, this is where you build a new activity from a previous action already ingrained and running on autopilot. An example for me would be once I wake up, I drink a glass of water. To give you the best chance of success, have the glass ready and full on the bedside locker the night before. Similarly, have your clothes ready the night before to get straight into them in the morning so you can start your day. I forgot to do this two night ago and spent 10 minutes rummaging around as to what I should wear in the ironing pile and wardrobe.
Peter Sage also suggests that setting up your day the night before is crucial to how the day is going to start. This may sound all rather boring and almost obsessional, but it works when you have a brain like mine, that can easily get distracted or you forget to do something. This is the prime reason why my habits fail- I simply forget to remember because the new action isn’t as yet automatic. How many times have you done something because that’s always the way you have done it? Here at home, we are learning to put the car keys in a new place and is a good example since having our new kitchen.
Why does this matter?
Consistency can start well but then slack off. This is my number one trait and habit killer. We start out with good intentions but then fall off the wagon. Often, I have to say to myself just start where you left off. I then ask the question, why do some habits stick better than others?
I suppose it’s all about how much you really want to change and can see the benefit from it. In his book ‘Make Your Bed’, the author states that the first thing you should do in the morning is make your bed because it sets the scene for the new day and psychologically creates a tone that sleep is over. This is done daily by me now and it has a very powerful effect.
Mel Robbins also talks about the five-second rule as far as getting up. Count to five and move. For me, that’s much harder to do.
Joshua Becker (Minimalist writer) encourages us that if you can do something in a minute or less, don’t put it off, do it, that’s really powerful especially when it comes to washing the dishes and having a tidy kitchen as a starting point in the morning. But when it comes to the big decisions that takes you away from comfort zones and procrastination the effect can be even more profound. Before publishing this I sent an email this morning asking for a meeting which could shape my professional work for 2025. This all feels really good which brings me to another point- that feeling of being in control and when things work well.
What has this meant for me?
Certainly, I would not have achieved as much in the last 10 years if I hadn’t adopted these principles. This blog would easily have been a thought still inside my head and not a reality. For me, time management and day efficiency, a commitment to get something finished and discipline have all been built into my life because of some non-negotiable habits I have created for myself.
What is the number one enemy of a new habit?
I’m afraid to say it but loved ones are the enemy and external extractions. Yes, the people we live with can ‘stuff us up’ and pull us of course. We fit in and conform to other people’s desires and weaken against their own bad habits.
“Would you like a chocolate dear from the goodie bag?” says my husband post Halloween as I fail miserably at drastically reducing my sugar intake once and for all. As I am writing this, there is the ping of the phone telling me I have a message that I am curious to respond to.
Now it’s time to get moving and out for my walk. I have managed three walks within one hour of waking this last week, a first and yes, I have been sleeping better as a result.
Until next time when I share one new hack with you I have introduced into my life since writing this. I will be partly working in Oxford where I am going for a pre- Christmas visit to a relative, another example of how I have built freedom into my life to do what I want and when.
Have a great week.
References: Atomic Habits, James Clear, 2018, Penguin Random House, UK page 15.
