Now take a closer look at your list. You will see that included in this list are activities that you consciously make. They are not done on autopilot. For instance, prepare and eat lunch requires you to make the decision to feed yourself.
Another is “work on projects.” That means you set aside time to review your task list or calendar and select the project to work on.And another is “attend a social meeting/gathering.” This requires you to plan for the outing.
None of these are habits. They are scheduled activities. Remove them from your list and think through your day again. Recall what you did after you brushed your teeth. Don’t remember? Plan to do this again in the morning. Remember, habits are what you do on autopilot. They are actions you do without thought. They are how you respond to something happening.
Twirling your hair when reading a book.
Crossing your legs when sitting in a chair.
Drinking a glass of water before you drink coffee.
Adding sugar to your coffee.
Getting on your knees to say a morning prayer.
Sitting on a pillow while meditating.
Grabbing an apple on the way out the door.A habit is a shortcut from want/need to achieving the desired result. In the beginning, the result was a conscious desire that required some thought to determine how to achieve it.
For example, as a child, you were told to brush your teeth every morning because the goal was for you to have healthy teeth throughout your life. Sometime between then and now you decided that brushing your teeth as the first thing you did after getting out of bed was a good idea. You continued to do it. Now, it is done without thought. Likely you do it when you are half asleep and when asked, don’t remember if you did or didn’t.
But, if you were to run out of toothpaste or were rushed out of bed, you would notice that “something isn’t right”. After some thought, you might realize that you hadn’t brushed your teeth.
Forgetting to brush your teeth isn’t life-changing in and of itself. Repeatedly forgetting and eventually stopping brushing your teeth is. It would result in bad teeth leading to loss of teeth and leading to bad physical health. This habit is an excellent way to see how doing something small, every day, can have big results.
Now, go back over your list or start another one. When you have a better list, think about each habit and ask if it serves to move you forward or hold you back. Does it support your spiritual/emotional/mental/physical health goals? Does it move you closer to achieving your life or business goals?
If you say Yes, keep it and move to the next. If you say No, write it in a column to the side. When finished, look at the No column and make a decision to replace those habits with something that will support your life or business goals.
Accept Ownership of Behavior Responsibility
Avoid Jumping to Conclusions Critical Thinking
Meditation Forgiveness
Doing Something Because You See It Needs to be Done
Personal Initiative
Kindness to Others Golden Rule
Personal Inventory/Review the Day
