Habit Formation
"Old habits die hard." "Your habits make you." "A new habit takes 3 weeks to stick." These are all common statements most of us have heard countless times. I don't agree with 2 out of 3 philosophies either! One thing I think we can all agree on is that bad habits are formed far easier than good habits!
Here's my take on habit formation:
A Compelling Reason
Good habits are tough to keep if you don't have a compelling reason to be disciplined. There was a phase in my life where those around me stated I was one of the most disciplined people they had ever known. Why? I wanted to change so bad! I wasn't satisfied with my effort and productivity in many areas at that time. I knew I was far from my potential and I wasn't about to keep living that way. The fire was burning white hot! Positive change came at breakneck speed! The focus was intense.
What do you see?
You want to lose 30 pounds? Who did you become in the process? Do you see yourself as more attractive, a better athlete, more vibrant for your family or business? What do you see that will pull you along the journey?
Swap
It's different for everybody, but I believe in swapping a bad habit for a good habit. I gave up chips for 30 days this month and I replaced them with carrots/hummus and raw nuts. When I quit drinking, I allowed myself to have some ice cream when I felt the urge! To fill the drinking time, I would exercise or read. Willpower isn't always the best choice. In most cases, the time needs to be filled or we will be more likely to revert.
Tracking
Before we can change our habits, we must become aware of them! We all operate on auto pilot more than we'd like to admit. I'll never forget tracking my daily business activities for an entire year. It was an eye opening experience! I realized quickly that my 40 hour week was cut down to 20-25 hours max of focus and intensity. You're busy doing what? The more value you extract from your days, the more successful you will become. It starts with a reality check and new awareness. Tracking is self accountability.
Killers
Get around killers that pull you up, inspire you, and force you to think outside of your current box. Ask them to keep you accountable and find out what they do with their time. The most productive agents keep a disciplined schedule you might not believe! That's really a big part of me realizing my real estate mountaintop, over a long period of time, I kept adding more and more and more value to my days. At my most productive point I had very little margin left in my days. I knew exactly what I needed to do to get the results I desired. My schedule over the years was wittled down to Monday-Friday from 9-5 so I had to be very intentional and focused with outstanding support.
Close
I don't believe that all great habits are formed in 3 weeks or in all honesty, stick that well! Great habits must be managed consistently to achieve our highest aspirations regardless of drive and hunger. The cornerstone habits in our businesses and lives become rituals over a long period of time. Personal development and workouts are rituals of mine. It took years, not months.
Old habits die hard. Some do, but if you really want to change. You want it really bad, the sea will part! The ultimate result: What you once loved, you now hate, and what you once hated, you now love. I've found this to be true as we leave our old habits in the dust. I'll never forget my mindset driving out of Whole Foods many years ago. I was thinking of my old days with a poor diet and too much booze and it dawned on me, I'd rather be this version of myself. Eating clean and feeling close to my God given potential! It's who I truly desired to be! That's when you know a habit is sustainable.