The "Embody Habits" Entry

I saw a post this past week of a soldier at the airport standing at attention at baggage claim.?

Of course the discuss around the post was hilarious. It was funny to me too, in the context that it is.?

But when you take into account the hours that soldiers spend doing drills and receiving commands, you realize that it’s not far-fetched.

When you embody a habit, it’s not easy to snap out of it I can imagine.?

The truth is we all act like that soldier in different parts of our lives. It might not be as extreme as standing at attention while waiting for your bags at the airport.?

But one thing is for sure, it’s hard to snap out of something that has moved from a habit to become ingrained in you.?

I mean, I can relate.

In Nigeria, we do a year of service to the country after graduating from university. In that one year, it’s mandated to spend 3 weeks in camp surrounded by soldiers and practically being "mini-trained" to be one.?

After 3 weeks of waking up by 3am in camp, I remember going home and still being jolted awake by the same time for 2 weeks before my body reverted to factory setting??

Why am I telling you this? I’m trying to prove that you are what you continuously do.?

It always hurts me when I hear people say, “that’s how I am,” especially for a bad habit. The only reason for that is that you have done that habit over and over again and have no zeal to change it.?

The day you make a decision to change is the day your change begins.?

You might have to push yourself at the beginning, but eventually you get used to your new habits. They become ingrained in you, and the next thing, you’re doing them without thinking.?

Believe it or not in 2020 I had to make a decision to drink water??. Yes you read that right??

I used to drink everything but. I was drinking 50cl of water per day. I had a very unhealthy habit. Thankfully, I caught myself early and decided to start drinking 3 liters everyday.

At first, it was a fight. I had to set reminders to drink water every couple of hours. Even with that, drinking water was a huge task. But I continued making myself. Before I knew it, I went from comfortably drinking 2 bottles, to 3, then 4. Soon enough, I was drinking 3 liters everyday.?

Right now, I’m just like that soldier unconsciously standing at attention at the airport. I can’t go a day without drinking 3 litres. I start feeling dehydrated. I carry a bottle of water everywhere??

There are so many habits I had before that I have changed by just making a firm decision to change them.?

You can change too, if you want to.?

I know, I know, this is going to read like motivational speech. But it works!

In fact I’m so sure of how much it works that I have a gift for you??.?

This year we are going beyond just making new resolutions to embodying good habits that we will carry forever.?

Take it from me, consistency pays off.?

RANDOM FACT OF THE WEEK: it’s my birth week??

This year, I have decided to celebrate my birthday with all 4200+ of you.?

As a big thank you for subscribing and being on the journey with me for the past year as I achieved my goal of 52 newsletters, I’m going to do what I can to make sure that you achieve your goals too.?

No more new year resolutions that end in February. We are doing better this year! I know that you are subscribed to the growth journal because you want to grow too, so CLICK HERE let’s grow together!

I hope to see you there??

Till then, have the best week!

See you next Sunday!

Your trusty growth partner,

Dee?