December Challenge - pt. 1 habits

Welcome to part 1 of the December Challenge. As we’re slowly unwrapping the year of 2020 and going into 2021, we all need to start reflecting on the things we can improve and set achievable goals to become our best selves. In this post, I will talk about the importance of building good habits and how to initiate the process.

*inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear

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Overview:

• Why habits are important

• Set systems rather than goals

• Behavior change is identity change

Oftentimes, the tiny habits and small improvements in our lives are overlooked because we tend to dwell on the important defining moments. However, it is those little habits that slowly shape us into who we are. Working out one day won’t make you fit; vice versa, binge eating on ice cream one night won’t make you out of shape. However, it is said that time will multiply whatever efforts you put in. In order to make a meaningful difference, habits have to persist through a valley of disappointment.

“The holy grail of habit change is not a single 1% improvement, but a thousand of them. It’s a bunch of atomic habits stacking up, each one a fundamental unit of the overall system.”

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Our motivating selves often set many goals throughout the year, yet we don’t witness any changes along the way. The root of the problem is that we are dwelling on the goals and results so much so that we limit our perspectives solely on the momentary change. The outcome — or output — will always be the same, because the system — or input — didn’t change. If we’re able to fix the input, the output will fix themselves. As we’re constantly fluctuating and changing, it’s inevitable that our habits, routines, and lifestyles will fluctuate and change as well.

Incorrect: After I accomplish ___, I will ____. 

When we reflect on the system that leads to a desirable result and make changes accordingly, we are targeting the cause of the problem. Furthermore, try to fall in love with your system because it will sustain your satisfaction and happiness in the long-run. As long as your system is running, you’re creating a long-term progress that trains you for the future. If you stop training after you hit the finish line, if you’re only motivated when you have a race to run, you have nothing to push yourself when you’ve achieved it. Build systems to continue playing the game — long-term thinking.

Goals vs Systems

• Goals are the results you want to achieve. Systems are the processes that lead to those results

• Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress

• Achieving a goal is a momentary change. Systems solve a problem for good

• Goals restrict happiness, e.g. “Once I reach my goal, then I’ll be happy.” Systems make you fall in love with the process rather than the product so you don’t have to wait to permit yourself to be happy

• Goals are at odds with long-term progress. Goals are about winning the game. Systems are about continuing to play the game

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One last thing in adapting habits is to change from the inside. True behavior change is identity change.

We typically approach changes in either the outcome or the process. To make a habit is when it becomes part of your identity - beliefs, worldview, self-image, and judgments of yourself and others.

Shape your habits around who you want to become

• What you do indicates what type of person you believe you are, consciously or unconsciously.

• You’ll need to continuously edit your beliefs, upgrading and expanding your identity.

• Habits are how you embody your identity. Frequent habits and the process of accumulating evidence will modify your self-image.