A new habit

(Writing for 20th Jan)

When you are trying to get into a new habit, it becomes very difficult. Almost on all the days you will feel that you should leave this. The mind will respond and repeatedly say that this is not possible, why are you doing this, what is the need, be in your zone. You will be constantly in the mind game. You need to be adamant and be on top of your mind at least for the initial 20-30 days. After that the mind will  understand you are not listening, it will give few more try and then will surrender. That is the point from where you can pick up and go over and above and make a mark for yourself. However small the habit is, this will bring a confidence in you that you are able to do what you have thought. That brings self confidence and a good feeling. This will also bring a confidence that if you are able to develop this habit, you can add other habit too in your routine. And the other way is also true, if somehow you are not able to add in the habit somewhere there is a mark in the mind that you were not able to do this and the mind may signal you that you should not try new things and be in the comfort zone.

You need to win those mind games. Try with smaller games where the chance of win is more. Once you start winning those mind games, you will be in that habit and the mind will also understand that you can do things which you decide to do. Once a habit is strengthened, you do not require extra effort to continue doing that, it will go into your blood and will become the muscle memory. Then during that habit, you can do something else and develop a new habit. For example if you have developed a habit of running daily for more than 5 km and that doesn't require much of effort. The only effort required is to wear the running shoes and as soon as you are in the shoes, your mind is all set, no extra effort required, you find yourself running. While running you can listen to some good books on audible or any other app and develop this habit of listening to audio books. This way a new habit can be made on top of existing good habit.

The start is difficult and important too. If you remain focused and patient during the start and keep putting your effort, you will be able to develop that habit. If you keep on adding small new good habits,  you will develop a whole new habit of learning many small things. This will have a great effect on you not immediately but in the long run, you will find a new you.