A habit is defined as ‘a routine of behaviour that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously’. Sounds so simple but if you have ever tried to form a new habit it is astonishingly hard, especially after the initial flourish of enthusiasm has worn off. We know what we want to do and, even if we are committed to the outcome, it can prove impossible to sustain.<\/p>\n
It’s not harsh to say that where you are at today is largely down to the culmination of the habits you have formed. But when it comes to replacing them forming new ones, things get tough. Research shows that a more than 40% of the decisions we take each day are done so on the basis of habit. In other words a large part of what we do, we do without even thinking about it.<\/p>\n
What’s more, so entrenched can those habits become, that it can be difficult to separate the behaviour from reality. Add to that the torment of the ‘saboteur’, the inner voice whose role it is to maintain the status quo, things get even more challenging.<\/p>\n
‘I can’t get up any earlier in the morning because I need at least 9 hours of sleep, otherwise I will be exhausted…’<\/p>\n
‘I am so busy that it is impossible to find time to incorporate more exercise into the week..’<\/p>\n
‘If I drink I have to eat carbs..’<\/p>\n
‘I can’t get through the afternoon without chocolate – it gives me the energy boost I need’<\/p>\n
‘As soon as I get stressed, I need a gin and tonic..’<\/p>\n
Sound familiar? When you look at these things in the cold light of day you can see these deeply engrained habits for what they really are. You can apply logic and expose the flaws in the argument. Recognising this is the first step towards fixing them but there’s more to do.<\/p>\n
Understanding the science behind how habits are formed can be really helpful in improving our chances of success, whether it be getting rid of habits we would rather do without or, indeed, sustaining new ones Here’s an interesting video with\u00a0Charles Duhigg who wrote ‘The Power of Habit’:<\/p>\n