Did you know that 85% of our daily actions are repeated day after day, and most of them we aren’t even aware of?
Successful people consciously determine which actions they will repeat to lead their lives towards success. These repeated actions over time become habits.
„Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.“ – C.G. Jung
Do you want to develop habits that will lead you to success and prosperity? Keep reading to find out how to do it.
Let’s start with the basic questions:
- What are habits?
- How are habits formed?
- How do you change a habit?
- How do you acquire a new habit?
- Tools to help you acquire and change habits.
- Why is it sometimes so difficult to change a habit?
- How do you maintain a habit for a lifetime?
- How do you live your life more beautifully, better, and more fulfilled?
- WHAT ARE HABITS?
Habits are actions we frequently perform automatically. They can be either good or bad. Good habits lead us to success, while bad ones lead to experiencing failures and the consequences of negligence over time.
- HOW ARE HABITS FORMED?
Habits are formed through conscious repetition of the same action over a certain period. Initially, our awareness engages as we think about performing an action repeatedly over time.
For example, consciously going to the gym to exercise and improve health, appearance, and fitness. Initially, I consciously decide whether to go or not. Over time, this action becomes more ingrained in my subconscious mind until it becomes automatic. Then, the conscious part of my brain switches off, and I no longer think about whether to go to the workout—I simply grab my bag and go.
Another example is driving a car. When you learn to drive, you consciously think about pressing pedals, shifting gears, observing traffic, and other actions. Over time, your brain forms new connections (neural pathways) to transmit this information. The more you practice, the stronger these connections become, and driving eventually becomes automatic, performed subconsciously.
From an outside perspective, this may seem incredible, like a scene from a movie. But over time, your actions become unconscious, and you perform them automatically.
- HOW TO CHANGE A HABIT?
To change a habit, you first need to become aware of the habit you want to change and then answer the following questions:
- When do I perform this habit (specify exactly)?
- How often?
- In which situations?
- What are my main triggers?
- Why do I do this?
- What benefits do I gain from this habit?
- What harm does this habit cause me?
Then ask yourself:
- What are the main reasons I have decided to change this existing habit?
- Am I 100% ready to change this habit?
- HOW TO ACQUIRE A NEW HABIT?
Every new habit is acquired through practice, that is, by repeating a specific action until it becomes established in our subconscious mind. Then, the brain accepts it as part of us, and it becomes our new habit. Whether it’s a good or bad habit doesn’t matter to our brain—it treats every action as neutral and works towards making it a habit through regular repetition.
- STEPS TO CHANGE A HABIT
Habit expert James Clear explains the necessary steps to successfully change a habit:
- Cue – To create a new habit, a cue (trigger) is necessary to raise awareness and initiate action towards forming the new habit.
- Craving – If there’s a craving, the action will be triggered.
- Response – Every action taken receives a response as feedback indicating satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the habit.
- Reward – At the end of each action, there must be a reward, as without it, the habit won’t endure.
- WHY IS IT SOMETIMES SO HARD TO CHANGE A HABIT?
Sometimes, it seems impossible to change a habit despite our determination and strong will.
One possible reason is that you’ve consciously decided to change the habit, but your subconscious mind hasn’t accepted it yet and therefore doesn’t comply with your conscious command. Perhaps you should work on strengthening supportive beliefs first.
Ask yourself:
- Why is it important for me to change this particular habit?
- What benefits will I gain from changing this habit, and what negative consequences will disappear with the cessation of the existing habit?
Another reason might be that you’re not applying all the steps mentioned for habit change (the 4 steps).
Thirdly, perhaps it takes more time than you think. Give yourself time, and with perseverance and persistence, you’ll eventually see how much progress you’re making. Some habits change instantly, while others take longer. The speed and quality of habit change also depend on the personality makeup, both psychological and physical.
Fourthly, maybe you’re simply not ready enough to change habits at the current time. For example, what are the chances that a hardcore smoker will quit smoking at a time when they have recently lost a very important and beloved person?
- HOW TO MAINTAIN A HABIT FOR A LIFETIME?
To maintain a specific habit for a lifetime, you need to deeply believe in that habit and integrate it into your life’s system of values and beliefs. The habit should be part of your life’s purpose, mission, identity, or highest life values. If the desired habit isn’t in line with your deep-seated beliefs, it will be difficult to sustain it because it conflicts with your being, your subconscious.
For example, someone who wants to lose 15 kg can do so with clear determination and persistence. However, if they believe it’s part of their genetics, they’re likely to regain the lost weight soon.
The same applies to values. If someone doesn’t consider good health and attractive appearance important values in life, they probably won’t truly desire to lose weight.
Therefore, it’s crucial to first become the person who already possesses that habit in your thoughts and subconscious. If you have any self-doubts, you must first work on strengthening your identity. You must truly believe that you already are the person you want to become.
For example, if you want to become a top chess player, you must first believe that you’re worthy of that title. Then, by forming the habit of playing chess regularly and learning, you’ll gradually become a master of this noble game.
- HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE MORE BEAUTIFULLY, BETTER, AND MORE FULFILLED?
By choosing constructive habits that support your personal development, your life gains more meaning and becomes more fulfilling. With good habits, you become healthier, happier, and generally feel better over time. Your life becomes more beautiful because you start to appreciate true life values.
Even when facing difficult times in life, you consciously accept challenges and cope with them more easily. You have a greater ability to make better decisions, become more patient and courageous, because you know there’s light at the end of every tunnel.