Are you a person who starts things and then… If you look this up on the Internet, I think you might find a picture of me. I’m the mother of good intentions. What, you ask, gets in the way? Everything and anything, I must answer.
Research indicates that consistency improves our ability to stick with whatever it is we are endeavoring. I remember I attended a meeting a few years ago where the leader talked about seeding a new habit with an old. You might even think of these old habits as environmental cues. A cue can be a practice that becomes part of a routine – such as leaving your sneakers beside your bed at night or laying out workout clothes to put on when you awake.
In the same way that finishing a cup of coffee might cue you to brush your teeth, finishing lunch can be a cue to go for a brisk walk. With repetition and consistency, new habits can become automatic.
Recently I did a presentation for work on micro habits or micro goals. Micro goals help you see success and perhaps inspire you to press on. For example, walking for 10 minutes three times a day rather than 30 minutes at a stretch is a win most people can achieve. What’s more, research shows that small bouts of movement can improve longevity just as much as prolonged workouts.
What is your “it” that you’ve left behind? Revisit that it today and see if it’s worth going for with a renewed perspective!
Pragmatic Pieces 