How to build successful habits
HABITS are formulated when we do something repetitively over time. Our mind etches these repetitive actions into patterns, creating neural pathways that help make doing these tasks easier. It’s a positive feedback loop where the brain makes it easier to do something, therefore you do it more often.
However, not all of our habits are good for us. We have to realise that the brain remembers every repetitive action, and not just the positive ones. It may be late night snacking, smoking cigarettes or even binge-watching TV shows.
The question is, how do we fix this and develop successful habits that will help us?
In 2009, the study titled How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world, published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, found that it takes anywhere between 18 and 254 days for people to form a new habit.
However, before you allow these findings to dissuade you from starting a new positive habit, you must understand that habits are a process and not an event. You must make a conscious choice to commit to forming a positive habit. Keep in mind that it is actually easier to form a habit by making small changes every day rather than one large change.
Consequently, what small changes can you do to make a successful impact in your life?
Set daily goals – It may be as simple as making your bed as soon as you wake up or finding the time for a 15-minute jog every day. The main point is that the night before, you mentally prepare for the next day.
Entering college and university life is going to be a new experience. You probably won’t have teachers bugging you to finish your homework. Instead, you must learn to manage your own time, including getting to classes on time and handing in assignments when needed. Setting concrete goals is one way to get into the habit of planning out your time. Perhaps start by noting the chapters you need to cover tomorrow, or the chores that you need to perform. Get in the habit of planning how tomorrow will go. Read more – Learning never stops. A good way to learn is by reading. Reading not only imparts knowledge, but it also opens your mind to different worlds and new perspectives. If you’ve dropped the habit of reading for pleasure, maybe start by picking up the newspaper every day. Slowly build up. Before you know it, you’ll be in the habit of picking up a book whenever you have some spare time.
lMake healthier choices -In August last year, The Star published an article titled Malaysia is Asia’s fattest country .Thisis quite a wake-up call. Make it a habit to make healthy choices. It may be choosing to go vegetarian once a week, exercising every day or even drinking six glasses of water a day. Make it a habit to make healthy decisions. Not only will your body thank you, but you will find that getting healthy will benefit you in the long run. Track and budget expenses – Tracking and budgeting your expenses is a habit that most people know they should do but choose not to. However, not doing this can be detrimental to your finances. Try to take just 10 minutes a day to write down your expenses. You will quickly find that you are more aware of your financial life and will start making positive changes to your spending habits. Start now, while you are still in school.
Implementing these small changes won’t be easy at first, but, just like success, all it takes is consistency and commitment. Are you up for the challenge?