Creating the Life You Desire with Ten Daily Habits
Do you have a plan to get from where you are to where you want
to be? Do you have all the skills you need to get that promotion
or that raise you want? Do you make time for the people who are
important to you? Are you excited about your future, or do you
just want to "stop the world so you can get off"?
The secret to having the life you desire is hidden in your daily
routine. As the saying goes, "if you keep doing what you've
always done, you'll keep getting what you've always gotten". In
issue #2, I discussed the importance of planning as a factor in
achieving your goals. As part of your planning, I suggested
incorporating the "ten habits" in your schedule. In this issue I
am going to focus on the ten habits and how they can help you
realize your dreams. To find out more, please read on...
At heart we are all creatures of habit. To change our lives, we
must change our routines. As many psychological studies and
best-selling self-help books have shown us, successful people
have different habits than unsuccessful people. For us to live
our lives to the fullest, we must adopt those thoughts and
actions that serve us and let go of those that don't.
How can we do that? My own experience has taught me that the
practice of the ten daily habits can be a strong foundation for
growth and a powerful catalyst for change. The idea is simple;
identify new habits that will enhance some area of your life -
health, career, relationships, spirituality, etc. - and select
ten of them to incorporate in your daily schedule. People often
say, "I can't add one more thing to my day; I'm too busy
already." I would ask, "Does that busyness bring you the results
you want?" Perhaps the changes you need to make are more about
"how" than "what" you do. Or, maybe you are holding on to an
activity that is no longer in line with your goals or values. No
one said change is easy, but remember "if you keep doing what
you've always done..."
Let us say, for example, you would like to have more energy in
the afternoon. Perhaps changing your diet and exercising would
be the answer. A little meditation or prayer time might also be
beneficial.
Developing the skills you need to get a promotion at work might
entail taking a class or studying on your own. I suggested one
of my clients read his materials into an tape recorder so he
could listen to them while going from job to job.
Staying in touch with your friends may involve a phone call, a
round of golf or a lunch date. How are you going to fit it in?
Schedule it to make it a habit. (It is interesting that bad
habits are so easy to pick, up isn't it?)
My ten habits include eating five fruits and vegetables a day,
exercising, reading the Bible, returning phone calls, drinking
plenty of water, journaling, and doing a load of laundry every
day so it does not pile up.
I do not accomplish all ten habits every day. However, the ones
I miss I make sure to begin with the following day. With this
practice, I'm building good habits that take me in the direction
I want to go in my life. Once any of these habits truly does
become a habit, I can drop it off my list of ten and add another
activity or behavior that I would like to incorporate into my
lifestyle.