It’s difficult to build a habit. I think anyone would tell you that. However, habits are not impossible to build. When
something is really worth it, when you can see the positive impact it has, and
you practice, practice, practice…you can do it. An old gymnastics coach used to say,
“Practice makes permanent.” Isn’t that
the truth, whether positive or negative? But man oh man it can take some
crucial mental power to make it through the rough terrain of the beginnings of
a habit.
For instance…2 weeks ago I was 5 weeks into a stellar
workout routine (5 days/week). I had
been consistent and non-wavering in the fact that I would get my workout in each day. I was stubborn and pretty proud of those 5
weeks, but then week 6 happened. Where
did my stubbornness and drive go? I lost
interest and enjoyment in the workouts I was doing, thus 5 days/week turned
back into 3. Working out 5 days/week is
definitely a habit worth keeping in my book so a new strategy is on the horizon,
but for the time being, push ups in the morning and evening, as you’re never
without the ability to do these (as my dad would say - the floor always
pushes back), and a few stretches and squats throughout the day are keeping me
primed and ready for a new routine.
That is an example in my life where I didn’t quite make it
to a solid built habit, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on trying
again. I’m going to take what I know
worked against me before and use it towards new strategies to drive success on
the next go round.
How about an example of a habit that takes time and
commitment, but that is now so firmly built and tough to shake that we would go
to great, even interesting, lengths to avoid breaking it.
This short story begins with a pre-planned week night
dinner. We’ve built the habit of
planning our meals for the week so that we can shop for the right foods and
prevent restaurant outings due to “having nothing to eat.” Let’s be honest, most of the time when we say
that there’s just a lack of convenience or appeal, not nothing. This particular
evening, baked chicken, asparagus, and couscous was on the menu.
Much to our surprise, our apartment complex shut off the
water that day due to a busted pipe.
Yikes! Do you realize how often
you use/need water? I sure did that day
and most people would have readjusted their plans and headed to dinner at a
local restaurant. Not us J. We like our nutritious homemade dinners and
were not going to let a little lack of water get in our way, but we did have to
get creative.
Partially through prepping the food, I turned to my husband
and laughed, pausing for a moment to realize what we were doing to make this
happen. I was swirling small batches of
asparagus in a bowl of water (from a water bottle left in our fridge),
conserving what water we had to get them all rinsed, and Aaron was trimming the
chicken with his hands wrapped in plastic wrap held closed by rubber bands to
avoid getting chicken on his hands (no water, remember?). Ha!
Anyone else may have left homemade dinner off the table that night, but
this homemade habit was too strong!
What a silly example, but one that reminds me that if you
hold tight to the “why” of a habit and practice, practice, practice, eventually
that healthy habit becomes one that you have a tough time breaking.
Your two takeaways –
1. Reflect on the reasons for your struggle to build a particular
habit and use that knowledge to approach it differently, lessening the barriers
and strengthening your motivators.
2. Keep the “why” of a habit in mind and practice…you’ll
eventually reach permanent.
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