Habit of Thought

Do Your Habits Work for You or Against You?

You run your world through habits.

A habit is an acquired pattern of behavior that often occurs automatically and subconsciously, that is, without conscious thought. Frankly, if we didn't have habits, we would never get anything done. If, every morning, I had to think through all I need to do to prepare for my day, it would drive me crazy. 

Habits actually start with thoughts.

How many times did your parents have to remind you to brush your teeth before it became something you did without being told? Eventually, brushing your teeth became automatic and part of your daily routine. Doing it over and over moved the action from your conscious control to being controlled by your subconscious.

Your starter set of habits came through your upbringing. 

Your parents' mission during your entire childhood and adolescence was to instill the habits they believed would make you successful as an adult. For example, good personal hygiene and proper etiquette significantly affect your interactions with others, not to mention make you pleasant to be around.

We also have habits in how we think.

Habits of thought are called attitudes. Again, our original set came from early influences such as parents and family, school and friends. They taught us how to habitually think about people who are different from us, whether in skin color, gender, race, age, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. We absorbed their attitudes about work, love, marriage, kids, family, politics.

Life changes.

Getting a job, getting married, buying a house come with new necessary habits of thought and action. Our bosses, colleagues, clients, and competition inspire, train, or even insist on new attitudes and behaviors.

Some of our habits still come in handy. Some don’t, yet we continue to do them anyway. And all the while, the world around us is dramatically changing.

Some questions for your habits of thought and actions:

• What are your habits?
• How old are your habits?
• Are they yours by choice, influence, training or coercion? Does that matter?
• Do yours work for or against you? 

Exercise Decision Is More Painful Than Exercising

Like voting, exercise is one of those things everybody knows they should do and most don't.

While I haven't missed an election since I was first eligible to vote (Nixon vs McGovern), let's just say my record on exercise has been far less consistent.

This year I finally have broken the cycle of decide-try-excuses that have torpedoed my resolve. While I'm not exactly ready to try out for "So You Think You Can Dance?," I'm seeing results.

No Secret Formula

I wish I had a secret formula to share with you, a compelling motivation that inspires me. Instead, it's a combination of things. Maybe one or more of these 6 items will click with you, listed from the less compelling to the most compelling to me...

6. Living Longer But Not Better

I took a long hard look at women 65+ in age whom I see when I'm out and about. It's not a pretty picture. With continued excuses and denial on my part, it won't be long before climbing the stairs in my house will be difficult. Among other things, simply aging will kick up the threat of diabetes a notch.

I'm not saying everyone who is in a nursing home could have prevented the circumstances that made them move to one. My mother-in-law lived in her own home until strokes at 85 forced that change. Life will throw me enough aging challenges that limit my options in where I live and how I spend my day. It's my choice not to add to those challenges because of my own negligence.

5. No Time Like the Present

As hard as it is now, starting an exercise program ain't gonna get any easier down the road. See above.

4. Physical Energy Is The Power Plant for Living

A recent book I read proposed the idea of setting up rituals to develop and renew the types of energy that keep me alive and functioning: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Physical energy powers everything else. I like to think of exercise as a positive ritual, not a must-do habit.

3. A No-Excuses Club

I joined a club where I feel truly comfortable. No one cares what you look like with no makeup and old t-shirt--they're too busy doing their own workouts. It's on my way to almost anywhere I go, only 15 minutes by car. Virtually everything I might ever need to work out is there, including a cafe to grab a bite before or after and a spa where I can reward myself with a (non-food) treat now and then for working out.

2. You Gotta Have Friends

Friends, clients, colleagues and acquaintances belong to the same club, though I didn't realize how many when I joined. It's wonderful to see friendly faces with a smile of encouragement. I also want to have a good answer when they ask me how my workouts are going.

1. Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

I'm a coach. I teach people how to set and reach goals. If I don't keep at my own goals, where's my integrity? Even if my clients don't know what my goals are?

The Devil Is in the Details

All my dilly-dallying about when to exercise, how to exercise, where to exercise was far more painful than the actual exercise itself. It wasn't until I got my ducks in a row, that is, I removed obstacles, that it all began to come together. Those things included buying a good quality pair of sneakers (Brooks brand--never heard of them before this), organizing a gym bag with supplies always at the ready, experimenting with times of day to see what works (mornings, hands down), and a routine that is not dependent on attending a class (although I enjoy the classes when I can get there).

What Not To Think About

If your only motivation for exercise is to lose weight, it's not enough. Losing weight is not a motivating factor for me, though I certainly would love to shed pounds. Focusing on just that number, though, has failed me time and time again. My mirror and the fit of my clothes tell me whether I'm on track there, and I don't spend much time thinking about it.