WHAT IS HABIT?
Habit is a
simple form of learning—a change of behaviour with experience. It is
defined as ‘an automatic response to a specific situation, acquired normally as
a result of repetition and learning’. When behaviour is developed to the extent
that it is highly automatic, it is called habit. Generally habit does not
require our conscious attention.
The term
habit is strictly applicable only to motor responses, but often applied more
widely to habits of thought, perhaps more correctly termed attitudes.
Habits play
important role in our daily life. All of us acquire different habits. They are
the part of our life. Habits may be good or bad.
HOW HABIT FORMS?
Got a bad habit you just can’t seem to break? That’s because a
habit is literally wired into your brain.
Every single thought, action, and feeling changes your brain.
When repeated enough times, a habit is formed. Some are good, some are bad, but
you’re not likely to forget any of them without serious effort.
Millions of people, every day, wake up and brush their teeth.
Why do we do this? Because we formed a habit. But how do habits form? Well, it
all comes down to neuroscience and the way our brains behave. Our brains form
neural pathways–connections between neurons–that get stronger the more often we
perform a task. And when we perform a task enough times, we no longer have to
think about how it’s done. This is when it becomes a habit.
HOW HABIT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE?
The rule
implies that it takes 21 days to build or break a habit and 90 days to create a
lifestyle. However, when you start a new habit with a mindset that it’s only
for the next 21 days, and then you continue it for the next 90 days, it
has plenty of advantages.
Habit is a difficult
thing to achieve if it is a good habit and also equally difficult to quit if
it's a bad habit. Even with the strongest will, one finds it extremely
difficult to make a habit.
So the 21/90 rule states that it takes 21 days to make a habit and 90 days to
make a lifestyle. Commit a goal for straight 21 days and it will become a
habit. And beyond that, if you can do a thing for consecutively 90 days, it
will become a part of your daily routine. You no longer need to worry about it.
It sounds an easy task but one needs a strong
will and determination to strictly follow this rule. Following things may help
to achieve that :
Make a proper plan: It may sound easy but believe me this is the
hardest to follow and apply. See, making a proper plan for your routine is not
a big job. But what comes next is the big game, the execution! This is where
your will power and determination will be tested from time to time.
Find your motivation: This is where it all starts. Why are you
doing this? Ask this question to yourself many times and if you got a pretty
strong reason, it will become fuel for your journey. When you feel down, just
try to remember why you even started it in the first place and why it deserves
the hardship you have been going through.
Be honest and consistent: Like I said before, thinking and making
a plan is a damn easy job. Consistency is the key here. And be honest to
yourself. If there is a need to say no then say "NO!". In the end,
you are the one who matters the most.
Enjoy the process not only the result: Imagine you are watching a
sport. You sit through the entire match because that's what gives you joy,
irrespective of the results. That's what makes the time more interesting. Same
goes with your resolution. If you are only attached to the result, not the
process, soon you will lose faith as the result may turn out to be
disappointing. If you are not enjoying the process, you are just putting your
precious time into something that you are not enjoying.
How does it help to build a better life?
Get this; let it sink
in:
Every single good habit
will really change your life.
And its impact will be significant.
It’s not a theory.
It’s not a feel-good charm. It’s not wishful thinking. It’s a reality.
The reality looks like
this:
This
is how the world functions.
Habits
compound with time. After a year you reap some benefits; after 10 years you
reap benefits—not 10, but 100 or more times better.
If your
body will be stronger and healthier, if your mind will be more flexible and
quick, if your spirit will be more peaceful and joyful, if your relationships
will be richer and more numerous, if you will gain more knowledge and skills,
then your life will become easier. It’s as simple as that.
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