Fixing Bad Habits
“All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire.”
Have you ever noticed how sometimes we work twice as hard as we actually need to? This usually happens because we have habits that are difficult to change.
Let’s take the double space for example. When I was 14 I learned how to type in a typewriting class. Every other day at school I learned this new habit on the manual typewriter.
At that point in time at the end of every sentence we were required to have two spaces. I don’t know exactly why but I would get points deducted if I didn’t create this habit.
I always saw the double space as breathing room and a celebration when ending a sentence with no errors. My thumb got into the habit to hit that space bar twice without even thinking.
This habit has stayed with me for decades. As technology has improved, into digital computers we are required to have only a single space after every sentence. Even as I write this line I had to stop and hesitate to put in only one space instead of two.
Times have changed, requiring that I change with them. As I write this it’s interesting to think how avoiding change is actually developing a bad habit.
How about you? What’s that one bad habit that you can’t seem to let go of no matter how hard you try? The habit that has you doing double duty to get things done because you tend to do it with an outdated way of thinking. The process of dealing with the habit and even trying to avoid it can drain you of energy. The worst habits drain the energy of those around us.
Think about when things change around you along your way. How do you respond?
A bad habit is something that you put up with until you can’t because it is no longer serving you. You must open your mind to the new possibilities that change will bring. Out with the old, and in with the new!
If you are having trouble opening yourself up to new positive habits, give that desired habit the patience and focus it needs to strengthen. A secret tip to victory is to share your desired habit with others. This will create an element of accountability and you are more likely to do what you have told others you want to do. Schedule a coaching session with me if you need help in this area.
Here’s to growing habits that improves life’s quality.
To Your Success and Victories,
- Cheri
Cheri Ruskus
Business Strategist and Founder of the Victory Circles
Email: cheri@businessvictories.com
Phone: 303-652-1718
Web: victorycircles.com
