Become the Master of Your Habits

"We first make our habits, and then our habits make us." - John Dryden A coaching client was recently talking to me about her struggle to establish a regular meditation practice. She asked me how in the world I ever got to the point where I am right now - meditating for an hour or more each morning and an hour or more each night. My answer was pretty simple - I developed a habit. A critical component of "Life Mastery" is having habits that support you in creating and living the life you truly desire. Just to make sure we're on the same page, when I say "habit" I mean an acquired inclination or aptitude to a particular action, instilled by repetition. Here are 6 thoughts to inspire you to begin examining the habits you currently have in place in your own life: 1. Habits in and of themselves are neither good nor bad, but are just are a tool for simplifying the process of your actions. Without the aid of habits you would have to learn the same things over again each new day. (Ugh! Can you imagine how annoying it would be to have to learn how to tie your shoes over and over again every single day?) 2. Never allow yourself to be enslaved by anything. You have all the will power in the world to break any habit you desire. Do not let yourself entertain any thoughts that run contrary to this idea. Stay aware, and nip the negativity in the bud when it shows up. 3. A habit is like a parrot: If you teach it to say good words it will repeat them over and over. And if you teach it to say bad things it will do the same - whether you want it to or not! 4. People who support your bad habits are not your friends. Thus, avoid the company of those who encourage you to repeat the things you do not wish to continue repeating. 5. When you make up your mind to do or not do something, never give in - unless of course you realize that you are wrong; then quickly change your mind. 6. Every day, spend some time contemplating whether you are being carried down the river of bad habits or whether you are developing your will power and "won't" power in order to be the master of yourself and your life. Now, with these previous concepts in mind, take a minute to answer the following two questions: - What habit is it that I am finally going to eliminate once and for all? - What habit am I finally going to adopt that will support me in living a happier, more successful life? Then, as the famous Nike slogan dictates, "Just Do It!" © 2005-2009 Kim Smith