Habits vs Resolutions

Something to think about

I gave up making resolutions years ago, for me, they never lasted beyond January and inevitably made me feel bad about myself.

So the last few years I have enjoyed ignoring all the “New Year, New You” crap and instead I’ve been experimenting with ways I can review the past year. Firstly to celebrate the things that have made me who I am today and secondly, to see what I’ve learnt to take into the next.

For 2019 I wrote a #lettertomyyoungerself suggested by Tee Tywford from HUSTLE + hush. Apart from the obvious need to update my bucket list, I realised that I was ending the decade with the things I’ve always wanted and it’s time to think about dreaming bigger.

I was also inspired by this article on how to make every year more interesting than your last by trying new things, saying yes and creating more.

In writing down the interesting things I’ve done in the last year I gained insight into how I have been opening myself up more to new things and that’s a habit I want to keep.

Something to watch

I’m big believer that small steps done consistently lead to transformational changes, so this year I’m thinking more about my habits and about being consistent.

What are the small things I can do consistently every day that will create habits that lead to the life and career I want?

What are the habits that are not serving me that I could replace with something else?

What is the easiest way to do this?

This animation says it all.

It’s repetitive.

For a reason.

Something to read and/or watch

When it comes to creating habits that serve you James Clear is the guru.

I first came across him when a participant in a leadership course I was delivering told me about how the British cycling team went from one of the the worst in the world, to winning 60% of the gold medals at the 2008 Olympics through the aggregation of marginal gains. 

“… the truth is that most of the significant things in life aren’t stand-alone events, but rather the sum of all the moments when we chose to do things 1 percent better or 1 percent worse. Aggregating these marginal gains makes a difference. “

The article tells you WHAT the theory of marginal gains is and the video tells you HOW TO create habits that lead to marginal gains by creating a supporting environment and setting short term goals for long term results.

Something to try

Again from James Clear

I couldn’t say it better than him so this is verbatim from his 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter from 2 January 2020.

Your identity can hold you back:

-I’m terrible with directions.

-I have a sweet tooth.

-I’m bad at math.

…or build you up:

-I’m the type of person who doesn’t miss workouts.

-I finish what I start.

-I read every day.

Build habits that reinforce your desired identity.

I’m finding the stem “I’m the type of person…” is helping me build a habit of daily yoga and cardio.

I get a lot out of James’ 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter, I look forward to it every week and I highly recommend signing up.

Something to ask

When it comes to creating a new habit remember to KISS!

Keep It Simple Stupid!

My downfall is often that I try to start too many things at once, the first few days go well, then I fall off the wagon, life gets in the way and I’m back to square one. 

So instead of coming up with a long list of new habits you want to create start with just one. 

What one habit would make the biggest difference in your life?

Once it has become second nature then cultivate another habit that serves you.