Habits are about making small changes. These small changes accumulate over time to make a big difference. Often we can underestimate the small changes, the small tweaks we make to our thinking or behaviour thinking they don’t make a difference. But in fact, it is the small, tiny little tweaks we make, that add up and contribute to improvements in our self.

Consistently applied, a small change each day, over time turns a habit into a routine. This is where the magic happens - through the process of learning about yourself as you apply that little change each day and watch yourself grow.

This is the power of the everyday decision we make that at the time seems insignificant but over time is massive. Just as every day bad choices accumulate, in this case often with a negative effect or a problem, every day good choices accumulate into a success, a massive change for the better, and most probably a positive impact. Success in this case is about the daily habits that we focus on frequently that creates the path to an ultimate outcome; the change we want.

But small choices take time as well. They build up to make an impact. As we apply our small choices, they usually do not produce an immediate effect or something we can see. It is however the repeated actions that are key. The repeated doing of the new habit that contributes to the change being visible in one form or another.

Let’s think about this in regard to self-care. Tiny habits put together create your toolbox of resources that you draw upon to support your wellbeing. So, firstly, let’s think about our health in association to fitness and movement.

If I go for a mindful walk for 30 minutes every day in the morning, what I set out to do as a habit before my daily schedule begins creates is a fitness pattern where I love to watch the sunrise, hear nature, and enjoy the fresh air while also moving my body. What I find over time is I don’t 'feel right’ if I don’t get out of bed and go for my daily walk. If I skip my morning walk, I really miss it. Repeated over time my walking habit becomes a ritual that is a firm part of my self-care toolbox of resources. I also notice I can actually walk longer, faster and I feel more energised when I do it as I notice my body becoming stronger and my mind craving the ‘me time’, ‘green time’ and also the clarity that comes with just being. My walking over time as a habit becomes a routine that contributes to my overall fitness and health, and thus body becomes stronger over time.

Now let’s connect with a task I hear many people wish they could do. Write more.

If I want to blog more for example, I need to create a habit of writing. My habit might be to write at a certain time of the day when I know I am fresh, where my creative ideas flow. Or I may decide that my writing ideas flows but it is my editing that needs help and I am best to create an intention to form a new habit where I write new words one day and edit these the following day. As I repeat this habit with small new writing created and editing on the following day, I create more words, produce more blog posts, and probably problem solve and work through different ideas and how to explore these through writing. Over time my habit of write and edit creates a routine that over time sees me produce writing that helps myself, and also others.

What new habit might you explore?

What new idea has you energised and you would like to explore further so it becomes a bigger part of who you are?

Up next…in part 2 of this blog post series I’ll write about habits and how the process is something to be excited about requiring a system (what we do) and how this is connected to our identity (who we wish to become).

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Creating Habits - Part 1