Habits hack #438

What promises are you making to yourself right now about the rest of the year?

After all...

??? Summer holidays are drawing to a close

??? Kids are almost back to school

??? It's the "stretch run" at work to get things done before the middle of December and the end-of-year holiday break

And, if you're like me, it's time to get back on those healthy habits again.?

On my list;?

??? Getting up early again

??? Back to working out consistently?

??? Eating healthier?

??? Less TV / more reading

You KNOW change like these will make you feel better and help you create a better life, though experience and history have taught us that these changes are easier said than done.?

There's a LOT to changing behaviour and habits, though I'm going to share one little hack that helps a lot of people put these positive actions into their daily routine.?

Take something you want to start doing in your life.?

(And if you want to STOP doing something, focus on what you will START doing...like if you're a smoker, instead of quitting smoking, you're changing into a non-smoker...)

Now, instead of wanting, trying, or intending to do it consistently every day, tell yourself that right now you're going to COMMIT to doing it.?

AND THAT THE COMMITMENT IS?NON-NEGOTIABLE.

When you tell yourself that you're committed to something and that it's non-negotiable, your brain processes it differently.?

Changing how you label something in your mind and treat it is often the difference between success and failure.?

Your consciousness knows it absolutely has to get it done, and, for example, it will schedule things around your new habit instead of treating it like a "nice to have" and putting it off until later.?

So consider this new behaviour change a non-negotiable commitment.

A few small points & notes (the same ones people always ask me):

-Start with one thing at a time, and make it small and doable. After all, we're here to get you momentum and wins, so make it realistic.?

-If you DON'T get something done one day, PUT IT BEHIND YOU and just keep going the next day. Don't stress, fret, or spend any more time on it; just move forward.?

My "Jedi-Level Leadership Mastermind" has just doubled down on improving their daily morning & evening routines...so there's always another level you can go with these.?

For me, a daily meditation is my non-negotiable commitment to myself. I commit to meditating for at least one minute every day.??

Now you might be thinking,?"one-minute every day, that's not very much!"

Yes, you're right. It's normally 20 minutes first thing in the morning.

But every so often, my morning routine is interrupted because I have to take an early train, have an early meeting, or someone in my household isn't feeling well (this includes pets ?? ????).?

I can ALWAYS find time to do a short meditation on the train, during lunch or some other time.

And the next day, I will get my regular meditation in.?

(In fact, on?my meditation app , I'm up to 103 days.)

I do, on occasion, miss a day, mostly because of travel or illness, and getting right back on to my commitment THAT NEXT DAY is the key to keeping this habit going.

What's YOUR new non-negotiable commitment you're putting in this month?

Lead On,

Michael

p.s. Yes, everyone is getting back to work, and if you're wondering what you can do for yourself and your team, I have something good for you on Friday to help support the 2021 stretch run...