Try, Try Again: Creating Positive Habits
by Jennifer Radkey
It turns out that some AI platforms aren’t good at telling time, so instead of an image of an alarm clock, here’s the 5 A.M. Club going for a jog.
Ever wonder why some people seem to effortlessly achieve their goals while others struggle? It’s all about the habits they have cultivated.
We all have great intentions to practice healthy habits that are good for our body, mind, and soul…but we face roadblocks in committing to them.
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
- “How does she have the time to workout, run a business, take care of her family, and have hobbies? She must be part of that 5 A.M. Club. I could never do that; I’m not a morning person.”
- “I wish I could post to social media daily. I know I could reach more potential customers if I do. I don’t know how to come up with that much content though.”
- “I want to feel stronger. My friend has started strength training, and he seems so much more confident and happier, but I’m a cardio person.”
- “I wish I could take a few courses, but I don’t have time for that.”
All of the statements above have one thing in common: They have already given up before even trying.
There’s a wish to become better at something, and then there’s an immediate shut down.
Here’s the thing—you don’t know that a habit will work for you or not until you try it.
You Have to Work at It
Experience eclipses all for learning about yourself. You tell yourself that you aren’t a morning person and you can never wake up at 5 a.m. But until you try it…how do you know that?
Developing new habits takes time and commitment. If you’re serious about making changes to your life and you know that certain habits will help you achieve that goal faster, you owe it to yourself to try.
On average it can take at least two months to actually form a new habit. Trying something for a week and deciding it’s not for you doesn’t do you, your goals, or the habit proper justice. Give things time.
If, after several weeks, you feel that the change really isn’t for you, no problem! At least you’ll know that it doesn’t work from experience, not from your limiting beliefs.
The same advice applies to your team. If you’re trying to encourage daily habits in the work environment, it’s going to take time before everyone’s consistently participating.
Yes, they’re going to need daily and weekly reminders. Yes, it’s going to take more than a week or two. If the habit you’re trying to implement will create a more efficient, successful business, it deserves time and commitment from you.
Mindset is contagious, just as action and inaction are contagious. If you want your team to adopt a new habit, you and your leadership team must show up and participate in the habit as well.
Make it positive. Demonstrate the value of doing it. Have patience while your team practices the new habit.
Positive habits are the powerhouses behind personal and professional success. By consistently doing small things, you can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Image: Shutterstock. Disclaimer: This image was generated by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system.
