ShoeString Startup

How big of a role do habits play in your daily life? Do your habits typically form intentionally or unconsciously? What approaches have you found successful in shaping them?

Jenny and Erin posted the question over on their, blog - A Tongue In Cheek Quest for Understanding,

and it has become quite the conversation with all points of view presented and many more being added daily.

Lucid Blog was the first to take up the challenge:

I think this is a loaded question, because habits play a HUGE role in everyone’ lives. Show me a person without habits, and I’ll show you a person who has to read a driving manual each and every day before even getting behind the wheel.

Lucid also points out:

Habits are ALWAYS being formed unconsciously.

If we are forming habits unconsciously, we’d better be clear in our internal motivations, drive and vision or we may get habits that are taking us off course. When I decide to take on a new project, I view it as a mini business venture, with its own vision, plan and steps that take me closer to the goal.

When I’ve got all the written down, it helps me clear in my mind so I focus on the task at hand. The focus brings me the conscious work habits I’ll need to bring me toward my goal.

Setting up a new habit:

Lets say you want a new habit of being organized to replace the old habit of leaving files and papers all over the place. Where could you start?

1. Take a deep breath and put your hand on your heart. Ask your heart to stay present while you explore your new habit motivations.
2. Using a pen and paper to keep your heart engaged, make notes on why you want to be organized. Ask yourself why this new habit would be beneficial to you. Is it something you think you ’should’ do? If it is a ’should’ you’ll find that your heart doesn’t care and you’ll never really get this habit ingrained.
3. Write the things that would happen in your life if you did have this new habit.
4. List the things that would continue to happen and all new consequences if you don’t follow through with the new habit.
5. Choose three concrete steps you can take each day that will lead you to the new habit.
   1. File my stuff away as I’m finished - or at the end of each day.
   2. Have an in-box for my ongoing projects.
   3. Take a walk. - You never know what your heart may say will help you reach your goals!
6. Write down when you will start this new habit and how often you will do it.
7. Commit in your heart to starting.
8. Thank yourself for participating. An important step if you want to learn to trust your heart.
9. Notice - without judgment - when you don’t follow through. Ask yourself why, but be careful not to beat yourself up over a lapse. Do you need to alter the desire, or the steps to your new habit?

Jason, over on A Miracle a Day sums it up nicely:

……..if you want to alter a habit, the first thing you must do it become consciously aware of it. After you become aware, you have to make a conscious decision to change, and you’d better have motivation for the change, too (and internal sources of motivation are by far the strongest, most persistent sort). Then you can work on replacing the habit or removing the habit trigger.

The take away from this:

You are going to have habits. Will you consciously create them?

This is my second entry to the contest to win a $25.00 gift certificate. You can find out more from Jenny and Erin’s blog - link above.

You may also enjoying reading my Heart Centered Work Habits post over on Conscious Destiny .