Habits on Autopilot
Wow- how has it really been over a year since my last blog post?! It makes me a little sad that I haven’t utilized this part of my heart in THAT long. However, it is also really important that I am not just saying words to say them. This blog was never intended to become a burden or a deadline that I had to meet, in addition to all my other responsibilities over the last year. This space was supposed to be a blank canvas where the troubles or life lessons could be breathed into something useful and beautiful.
With that being said, lets not put too much pressure on this first burst of inspiration on my part. Honestly, one aspect of who I am- the “Go big or go home” can often lead to this internal fight with myself to be spectacular in everything I want to do. It can lead to unnecessary burnout and disappointment. When I first logged into my little Squarespace hub to begin writing whatever this is… I started to think… “You should completely relaunch your blog by redesigning the whole site and putting a new flare, etc.” But then reality introduced itself to me after my high of good intentions began to fade. Nothing is more important than the actual writing, so how about we start there and see where it goes.
Habits
I have been thinking A LOT about habits in my life. The truth is that I know some key things about myself - strengths and weaknesses. I need to see them all if I really want to know my whole self well.
Habits never seemed to resonate with me because I am such a care free spirit. Honestly, I rely a lot on my feelings to motivate my next moves. Up until now- most of those emotions have served me alright. Nothing has been super detrimental to my well-being… or so I thought.
SO coming back to my weakness- consistency. I really really struggle to hold on to something for longer than my rush of adrenaline. Here is what I have noticed about this weakness in my life:
I don’t stick with things long enough for me to fail.
I don’t stick with things long enough for me to be uncomfortable.
I don’t stick with things long enough for me to be better.
Be uncomfortable enough to fail, so you will do better.
Whether we like it or not- adversity is the soil that a seed has to break through in order to see the sunlight. It is not only adversity that is the issue though.
When I think of the type of person I want to be - I want to do a lot of things. I want to be a wife, a leader, a sister, a daughter, a mother, and a trailblazer. How in the world do people do this? Like really- I wanted to know. I started thinking about what makes these trailblazers different? How are they able to have the brain space for this stuff while spinning so many plates in the air? The truth is that there is a very important strategy. It is not just that they work harder- they work smarter.
Winners and losers have the same goals. What separates them are their systems, strategies and habits.
Now I know we hear that phrase a lot, but what does that even mean? Like what is the plan of attack here? How do I work smarter?
It means that the tasks needing to happen daily (the default “to do’s”) are now on autopilot. Have you ever noticed how you just do certain things as second nature? You do things completely without thinking about them. For me, when I get up in the morning, I go to the bathroom and then go get a cup of coffee. Without fail! On the other hand- I have a bad habit of picking up my phone to turn off my alarm and then somehow end up scrolling on Instagram for the first few minutes of my day. I began to notice these obnoxious habits in my life and I wanted to become hyperaware to them.
Why does this contribute to the topic of consistency? Well, when you begin to acknowledge the power of habits in our life, it may make you wonder how to change some of these habits. It may make you wonder how habits can work in your favor instead of becoming a weakness. Since I struggle with consistency naturally, my goal has been to run into the lion’s den (figuratively) and work on habits…pretty much my worst nightmare.
But hear me out! Since I want healthier routines integrated into my day such as going to the gym/being active or getting up earlier. I want these difficult tasks (for me now) to be on autopilot. I truly don’t want to think about them, because if I think about them- I probably won’t do them. I want to save my brain space for other things- like a blog!
However- in these beginning stages I will have to make a conscious effort toward forming these habits. I want to share with you a few of the key lessons that have stood out to me since reading more about habits.
Make it simple- clearly state what you would like to see change. (Ex: I would like do something active everyday.)
Recognize that your success is linked to your belief in this new identity. (“trying to go to the gym” vs. “I am an active person”.)
Every daily decision is a vote toward the type of person you want to be. (Ex: the more times I go to the gym, I start to actually believe that I am the type of person who works out. I am growing a track record with myself.)
Understand that the change in WHO you are becoming is more important than the immediate results of the new habits. (Ex: there may be a lull in seeing the results you are hoping for. Progress is not linear. It is not a tit for tat type of process where you put in x amount of effort and you are guaranteed to see y results.)
Make it fun! (Ex: it is easy to get burnt out when you are only thinking about the few pounds you may want to lose or you spend the whole time at the gym comparing your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 10.)
Atomic Habits by James Clear.
If any of this resonates with you, I HIGHLY recommend reading this book. It has completely changed my outlook on life. There have been over 7 million copies sold and it is a New York Bestseller.
Systems are not a prison they are the freedom you need to focus on the things you want.
I would tell you all the nuggets of wisdom in his book, but if I have to read it- then so do you! Please go watch that video I linked above. It may just change your life.
