3 steps to build a habit for life

4 weeks ago, i posted an article here talking about challenges i'll be taking this year as i'm turning 29 to get out of comfort zone and learn new skills.

I wanted to kick off the challenge series by quitting sugar and document the whole experience. 3 days later, i quit the challenge. Not because quitting sugar was not easy, but because i realized i'm struggling with something else.

I was very scared to point the camera to my face and talk to it. I just freeze once i hit the record button, either with a camera or my phone.

I hated that moment because i was losing momentum and wanted to start documenting the process. I started searching on Youtube and reading blog posts on how to get rid of this awkward feeling when making this type of videos. After hours of research, i found i'm struggling with other's judgment and opinion and it was paralysing me.

Many of us have the ambition to improve their lives by helping others and build a social influence. But they never made it as they were scared to start their journey for many excuses; Lack of gear equipments, not having the skill of editing, not feeling charismatic on camera or not having time or money to invest in it.

These were my excuses as well. I was always postponing during the first days of the challenge that video or Instagram story for different reasons, but in reality i was scared from facing the camera pointed to me and was overthinking the situation.

Perfection is an illusion

As i didn't want to quit the journey and i'm all in this project, i knew i had to put on the work. Here's how.

1- Control my environment

Whether it's to lose weight, start working out or learn a new skill, it's important to create the environment around you to build this new habit. It starts with assessing your current situation and define your next goals and set clear expectations. I can't stress enough that is important to be true to yourself and as honest as possible. Fake it until you make is a complete non-sense and will not help you to build an habit for life.

As i wanted to get comfortable with the camera, i convinced myself that my phone is the only gear i need for this challenge. I needed to simplify enough the process to make the time for it in a crazy busy schedule. This leads to the second important step in the process, which is daily practice.

2- Create calendar and set reminders

In order to learn something new or to build habits, you'll need in average 21~30 days to fully adopt it.

I'm challenging myself to create daily videos while talking to the front face camera to get comfortable with it for the next 30 days.

I believe it's very similar to sports. I didn't learn how to do a push up by one time practice. I had to do it everyday and build it progressively. I learned surfing the same way. I had to practice it very consistently, and there's no reason to fail in this challenge. It's just a matter of daily practice.

Sometimes a daily reminder is enough to keep growing.

And that leads me to the last step.

3- Hold yourself accountable

We all know we need to be consistent with any practice in order to create a change. But we know as well that's the most challenging part of building a new habit.

Action leads to change

The easiest way to be consistent is to hold yourself accountable. By announcing it to your family, your partner, friends or colleagues, you are somehow now accountable to them and you don't want to look like a loser. I did the same. I told my family about the challenge on April 13, 2020, and i wanted to make it more challenging.

I went into all my social accounts, and announced it publicly; through Instagram stories, Linkedin posts and even in Tiktok :)

To be honest, it drives me to be more than consistent and to complete the 30 days challenge for one single reason. I want to document the blueprint for success and show that we can make our dreams come true by taking simple and easy steps, believe in ourselves and undervalue other's opinions.

My ambition is not to become a social influencer or Instagram fame, but i want to help one person in the world by sharing my journey and be as transparent as possible.

It's not a simple challenge for me. It took me hours to finally announce it publicly but i'm glad i did it by the end of day and i'm excited to be sharing it with all of you.

It's the third day of the challenge so i'm pretty excited so far :)

Question of the day: What's your biggest fear today and how do you plan to deal with it ?

Let me know in comments and please share this with a friend that needs it.

Sincerly,

Yassine