New beginnings are always an opportunity or a challenge; yet, if we do not intend to make any changes throughout this time, everything will remain the same. Unfortunately, when we talk about changes we find a great ally or stumbling block: habits.
I invite you to examine how habits can help you or stop you when it comes to new beginnings and how you can achieve starting a new habit.
Change is constant in life, but it is not necessarily the case for those who do not change or improve their habits. In truth, nothing will change until we change what we do daily.
Habits are behaviors that are constantly repeated over time. They arise when the decisions that we deliberately make are repeated until we no longer decide them, but simply make them.
Cultivating those habits that increase your influence and productivity is ideal. Furthermore, turning the activities that are related to your success plan into habits will allow you to improve your lifestyle and intentionally reach your goals. In our program The Action Plan That Will Lead You To Success, you will be able to observe how habits are an essential part of your success plan.
In this program, it is indicated that there are a series of activities such as capacities, abilities, and talents that are essential to achieve each goal and they must be converted into habits. But there are other activities that don’t need to become a habit, on the contrary, they should not be part of our life.
You and I both have patterns of daily activities that support our goals and others that do not. For example, I have maintained the habit of consuming a dessert after meals, unfortunately, this is a source of extra sugar, which is harmful to my health. I am in the process of changing or removing it from my life. On the other hand, I have the habit of using an agenda for each project that I carry out, this has allowed me, among others, to improve my daily focus. It helps me to observe my growth and the progression of each project.
In brief, our real task must be to decide which habits to create, which to cultivate, and which ones to leave behind. To achieve this, I suggest the following practical steps:
- Reflect on this phrase: “The secret of success is determined by your daily agenda.”
- Look closely at your daily activities and find those that contribute to your goals and those that do not. Make a list.
- On a piece of paper write the habit or activity you want to develop and the numbers 1 to 30, post it on the wall or in a place that is visible daily. Each time you run this activity, mark a number on the list until you complete 30 consecutive activities.
- Repeat this exercise as many times as necessary, until you carry out this habit constantly and for at least 30 consecutive times.
New beginnings are always the opportunity to do something new, to create and take the next step towards your goals. Obviously, for many, making the right decisions on a day-to-day basis and turning them into habits can be a difficult process. Even more so, if you are not clear about your priorities in each important area of your life.
Do not work alone, partner for success. Make an appointment with an Executive Coach to live your habits of success daily.
Question: Reflect on your daily habits, which ones are not allowing you to achieve your goal? How could you change them?