What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you come across someone successful, be it in the workplace, at the gym, or somewhere else?
Maybe the person got lucky? Or what if they have access to better information and guidance? Or perhaps it all has to do with intelligence, genetics, and such?
While many factors determine our outcomes, many people sell themselves short and underestimate the sheer power of persistence toward specific goals.
The Importance of Habits
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
We love this quote because it signifies something which many people don’t understand:
Our outcomes depend on what we do and how we choose to tackle challenges. Knowing the right people, having good mentors, and getting lucky can be helpful. But the core of success is working toward an outcome with persistence. Doing so allows you to learn from mistakes, refine your process, and reach success.
Taking your time to grow beneficial habits is one of the most important things you can do in life. According to behavioural psychology experts, nearly half of our daily thoughts, actions, and choices stem from habits. Better habits lead to positive thoughts, productive decisions, and greater success. In contrast, negative habits lead to dissatisfaction, stagnation, and a lower quality of life.
How to Develop Better Habits (And Break Bad Ones)
The most important thing you need to do when improving your habits is to find substitutes. You need to come up with beneficial actions to take when you feel the urge to do something you know isn’t good for you. For example, if you want to quit smoking, you can go for a walk, eat a piece of fruit, or try some breathing exercises when you feel the urge. Focus on replacing instead of eliminating.
Another effective way to break bad habits is to eliminate the trigger for specific behaviours. For example, let’s say that you want to start eating better but often eat potato chips, cookies, ice cream, and other goodies. The obvious thing to do would be to get rid of these foods. The next time you feel the urge, you won’t follow through even if you want to. More importantly, removing these foods from your home gets rid of the trigger, making you less likely to feel the urge in the future.
Similarly, make positive actions easier to initiate. If you want to start eating healthier foods, fill your kitchen with fruits, veggies, and other nutritious options. If you want to read more, place a book on your nightstand. If you want to hit the gym consistently, prepare your gym bag and place it near the door. Setting the right triggers can make it easier to initiate positive behaviours, eventually turning them into habits.
Leveraging social support is another effective way to improve your habits and reach your goals. Surrounding yourself with people who live the life you want is a great way to feel more motivated, learn, and feel accountable. When combined with the above tactics, social support can increase your chances of success.
