The Habit

The Habit

A habit.

What is it?

Oxford Definitions define a habit as a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. Let's zero in on the word, practice. The term can employ our brain to conjure up memories of days in a classroom trying to figure out how to complete a complicated equation over and over in practice for the upcoming test. For others, the word brings up memories of days spent trodding on freshly cut grass sunblock mixed with sweat mimicking our football heroes as we practise taking a freekick from the same spot in the hopes that we can help our team win the game coming up.

No matter what practices you have used to achieve your goals, there was a habit formed consciously or subconsciously. The secret to success, especially as an entrepreneur, is to notice your habits and hone the positive ones to the point that they become second nature. In doing so, success will become second nature.

As long ago as 3000B.C Babylonians and Egyptians brushed their teeth using crude toothbrushes made of wood and twigs.The Chinese monk Yijing (635–713 A.D.) ?described teeth cleansing as an integral part of monk culture. “Only after one has washed one’s hands and mouth may one make salutations. Otherwise, both the saluter and the saluted are at fault”. He penned these words in his book. The first modern toothbrush was designed by William Addis in England around 1780. The handle was carved from cattle bone, and the brush portion was made from pigs’ hair.

This is a brief history of the practice we all engage in to this day—the brushing of our teeth. A habit we were taught and uphold for our cleanliness and health is a simple task in truth but one that, without constant practice, would not mean much. For instance, if you brushed your teeth once a month, would that one time uphold your cleanliness and healthy about your mouth? It has to be an everyday practice. An everyday habit. Only if it is habitual does it have significance.

It may be a simplified example of a more significant aspect of life. But every successful person has some routine or habit with which they use to get stuff done.

Friction or barriers in our everyday life make completing tasks difficult. These can be fatigue from a rough day or not enough hours in a day to complete a task. We have all had bad days; sometimes, they morph into bad weeks, maybe even months. A widespread practice among behavioural scientists is actively using your inner voice to instruct you as you complete a task.

“Pick up the glass, take a sip, put the glass down again.”

“Attach the document, press send, send.”

The same way a guardian taught you to make a habit of squeezing from the bottom of the toothpaste tube and making circular motions as you brushed all that time ago.

It may seem too simplistic, but it has improved people's focus and temperament when completing tasks. In doing this, one can immediately focus on the task, and a habitual step-by-step process to getting something done is formed.

As an entrepreneur, one never knows what barriers or friction may arise. There is no one accurate road map to entrepreneurship. But, if one can create habits and routines that aid them in completing tasks, it would make the journey a tad easier. Maybe as easy as brushing your teeth.

Yours in entrepreneurship

Muziwethu Mtshali

CEO – Entreprenerdy South Africa