Honing the Habit
Happy 2017! Happy New Year! Happy 2017! Happy New Year! Happy 2017! Happy New Year!
I am psyched and ready for a wonderful year! It’s time to embrace my great aspirations and resolve to do it all a little better. You know – clean up my act. I am saying this because the holidays have been a wonderful excuse for me to take a “habit hiatus.” I have always been a believer in making exercise a habit, but have found multiple excuses to leave this out of my schedule the last several weeks. I have conveniently blamed this on the busyness of the season and lack of time. (Although I must say that I have found plenty of time to eat.) The voice in my head has conveniently whispered, “Tomorrow, I will get started again.” Now, tomorrow is here and it is time to reclaim that habit!
After years of trial and error, I have found one important variable that helps my resolutions evolve into habits. I have to enjoy what I am doing. Exercise psychologists have found that enjoying what you do is one of the most important factors in creating good habits and sticking with them. This idea can carry over to establishing most any type of habit, so here are a few ways to hone it and own it.
Believe in the habit. Whether it is exercise, getting organized, eating better, whatever the habit you are trying to put into place – if you believe it has genuine value and will better your life – you will be more apt to follow through.
Integrate the habit into other aspects of your day. I love to have my students take a quick brain break and exercise. Author John Ratey calls exercise “Miracle-Gro for the brain,” and heaven knows I need that.
Deliberately practice. Research has shown that improved performance is a result of deliberate and focused practice, not just innate talent. http://expertenough.com/1423/deliberate-practice
Like what you do. Don’t choose to become a marathoner if you hate to run. Choose an activity that motivates you. If you enjoy doing it – you will be more likely to follow through.
Create achievable goals. I know I am not going to have abs of steel, but I can resolve to spend 15 minutes a day on some type of physical activity.
Share your goals. Sharing your plans with someone gives you a support system and also helps make you accountable. (You have my permission to ask if I exercised today. Keep me on target – please!)
Ask for help. It is okay to ask for help along the way. Talk with someone who inspires you and ask them to share their insights in helping you achieve your goal.
Give yourself a little grace. If you don’t follow through each day or you take a backwards step, give yourself a little grace. Remember that doing something is better than doing nothing at all.
Hone the habit, my friends!
Hey, I’m in shape! The problem is that it’s round.
