“I’ll start working out this month” or ‘I’m too stuck in my ways to adopt a new habit’ or “I tried it, but I just can’t do it anymore”. How many of you find these sentences familiar? Most of you must have said something to the same effect or heard people around you do it. The essence of these conversations are habits. There are many myths about habits and they prevent a person from adopting positive changes in life.
It is important to dispel these habit building myths and take a fresh perspective on habit building. While we’re at it, let’s also discuss some actionable insights that can be applied as you strive to create new habits.
Myth 1: Habits are boring
Most people think that habits are related to structure. Those who can’t abide structure think they will rebel against it. If you look at your most basic things, such as eating food and wearing clothes, these are all habits! If you find your habits boring, it’s probably because you’re making them boring. Habits make our life. If you want to have a fun life, maybe add fun to your habits.
Myth 2: I’m too old to start a new habit
There is no age limit for learning. Yet it is an excuse used by most adults when it comes to learning something new. It is used as an excuse most of the time because some people are afraid to try. Here it is important to understand what benefit a habit will bring to a person. If a person can see the benefits for themselves, it becomes easier for them to pick up a habit.
Myth 3: I need a reward to develop a habit
Creating rewards and punishments for habit formation is not ideal. Everyday motivation to build a habit is also not a viable way to develop a habit. First, the rewards need to be in line with your goal in order to create a habit. To complete an intense workout can’t be ‘having a cookie’. On the other hand, if people fail to follow a habit, there is often a punishment of ‘donate Rs 100’ or something like that. It is important to understand that as humans, we seek pleasure in the present and postpone punishment for the future. The future is not a problem in the present. It’s taken for granted, so motivation, especially rewards and punishments, is not a reliable way of forming habits.
Also Read: These 5 Everyday Habits Can Harm Your Brain Health
Myth 4: I can’t miss a day
You can’t be too strict and punish yourself if you don’t follow a habit for a day. There can be many reasons why a person cannot complete a habit, it may be that he is stressed or not in a good mood. The main thing is to be kind to yourself and not associate habits with punishment. On the other hand, you can follow one of my golden rules of habit formation – ‘Never miss two days in a row.’ This way, you give yourself space and ensure that nothing significant hinders your habit formation.
Myth 5: All successful people have the same habits
This is one of the biggest myths that needs to be dispelled. People think that if they copy the habits of successful people, they will be able to achieve the same level of success. One cannot blindly follow habits. There is a reason behind why every person adopts a habit. One businessman may wake up at 4 in the morning and another may sleep at 4. An athlete will need 12 hours of sleep. They have different reasons why they pick up a habit. It is not advisable to follow habits without understanding the ‘why’ behind it. Pick and choose habits that match your life. Start small and create your own journey.
Myth 6: Resolutions Aren’t Habits
Resolutions are wishful thinking, without actually following through with a plan to turn them into habits. People who are successful with their New Year’s resolutions have found a way to turn their resolutions into habits. Most resolutions die in the first half of the year. This is because the effort was not made to form habits.
All said and done, habits play an integral role and need to be formed based on certain principles of habit formation. If you are looking for positive change in your life, adopting positive habits is the only way to do so.
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