What’s So Helpful About Habits?
Anyone that’s paying attention know that social media feeds and self-help advice focuses on maximizing good habits and minimizing bad ones. On the surface, that sounds good. But what does that even look like in daily life? Why are habits helpful and why do they matter?
A habit is “an automatic response to a specific situation.” Think about your day. What are the things you do “automatically” without blinking an eye or missing a beat? Those things are your habits.
What benefits do they provide?
Habits decrease mental load and decision fatigue.
Habits encourage consistency.
Habits lower the influence of emotions.
Habits build momentum and confidence.
How do habits influence you?
In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear writes that there are 3 layers of behavior change - outcomes, processes, and identities.
“Outcomes are about what you get. Processes are about what you do. Identity is about what you believe.” - James Clear
His contention is that identity based habits are the most successful because they are actions that encourage and emphasize belief systems. Our beliefs shape our identity and who we are determines what we do.
“The more pride you have in a particular aspect of your identity, the more motivated you will be able to maintain the habits associated with it.” - James Clear
What can I do to change my habits?
Identify what you want to change.
are you doing something that you want to stop doing?
are you NOT doing something that you want to start doing?
is there something you are currently doing that you want to do differently?
Take action.
develop your routine
set achievable goals
establish a support system
Celebrate small wins.
Keep showing up!
