All Things Inspired

Your habits have the power to change your life!

Your habits have the power to change your life. Building positive habits for success is more challenging than you might think. However, it's a challenge worth accepting. You see, habits affect all aspects of our lives. Your everyday habits determine your attitude, the course of your actions, and the progress to transformational growth in your life.

There have been scientific studies that show the brain functions in ways to save effort. This steers the brain to turn almost any routine into a habit, thus instinctively creating an effort saving process. The power of habits is that they will either make or break you. We'll start this topic by further defining habits. Being an acquired behavior pattern, a habit becomes almost an involuntary action the more it is followed.

While our quote of the week emphasizes the relationship between success and daily routines, be careful not to confuse routines with habits. Both are repeated actions we take; however, routines are more intentional as compared to habits that are automated responses. You must have an elevated sense of awareness to distinguish between the two. Once distinguishable, you'll realize that both routines and habits are critical to your success.

Now that we understand habits, their meaning and power, let's look at achieving success through building positive habits. As you begin to master the power of habits, you'll notice that your discipline, along with better structure and efficiency in how you manage your growth, will lead to heightened success. Chances are you probably already have a fair number of habits. Some may be positive, while others may need to be changed. Changing negative habits is not easy. Consider the following five suggestions for improving the building of positive habits:

Turn back to routines - while we distinguished between routines and habits, you can convert daily routines into positive habits the more you follow the routine. The routine you seek may actually help you with realistic goals. The routine is in tracking your progress. Do it regularly. Take action to achieve the goal. This will develop a positive habit.
Take the first small step - it is easier when you begin with small steps. Make a small, achievable, first step. Build on the existing habit and repeat the process toward building numerous positive habits. You can do it. This technique is a good fundamental step in success without overwhelming the process for you.
Celebrate each win - a journey of a thousand steps always starts with the first step. Feeling good about your progress is important. Even if it's a small win, celebrate it! Each time you celebrate, you will boost your motivation.
Create a supportive environment - surround yourself with people who share your passions or encourage you to achieve your goals. If you try to build positive habits inside a toxic environment, you will struggle to see results. This is an essential step in preparing to develop positive habits.
Progress measuring - you must track your development in this process. Start by writing down your goals. Be accountable, not only to others if it applies, but first and foremost to yourself. Constantly review your progress. Don't be afraid to fail. If you fail, adjust your plan, but never change your goal.

Understanding and using the power of habits can lead you to success. Committing to the process of developing habits will help you make better choices. Next week we'll move into awareness of the pitfalls of converting bad habits to good ones, and then maintaining the good habits. In the meantime, review the following points of reaffirmation on the power of habits.

Habits are powerful. Possibly life changing.
It will take time and effort to change a habit.
A routine is intentional. A habit is automatic.
Once formed, a habit is difficult to change.
While it's not easy, changing habits is possible.
Document your progress in changing the habit. Be accountable.
Start with small steps in changing habits. Or creating them.
Celebrate each habit that you change.
Surround yourself with like-minded people.

While we classify the power of habits as a topic related to discipline, it could also be considered a process of the mind. We noted at the beginning of the article that the brain functions in ways to save effort, which turns almost any routine into a habit, thus instinctively creating an effort saving process or habit. The mind is powerful. Habits are powerful. Focus your mind to adapt your routines into habits. Make it a habit to...

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