Habits are small decisions we make and actions we perform every day. We all have them and our lives are a combination of them.
Some habits are productive and propel our lives forward; others are simply repeated behaviours. Unfortunately, though, some habits can also hinder our progress.
If you were to peek inside the life of a highly successful person, at some level, it would be underpinned by productive habits, whether they pertain to exercise, diet, work, financial matters, or relationships.
Deeply ingrained habits – good, bad and indifferent – can be difficult to break and this can work for us and against us.
I believe that the growing number of Australians facing mental health challenges highlights the struggle most Australians face in developing and maintaining good habits.
The science of habits is fascinating if you delve deeper into it. For example, as time goes by, breaking a bad habit becomes increasingly difficult. To successfully do so, we need to replace that habit with a better, more productive habit.
Take a moment to think about the habits you have. Are there any you would benefit from replacing with an alternative and more productive one?
Dr Phillippa Lally, from the University College of London, determined that it took human beings an average of 66 days to form a new habit. Based on that research, the best time to start making changes in your life was 65 days ago. The next best time now to do this is today!
My habits workbook might be the kickstart you need in this regard.
I have many habits; my wife would argue I have too many. In any event, here are three that I believe make the biggest contribution to my success and wellbeing.
Wake up early
There are books dedicated to the benefits of waking up early (and at the same time every day for that matter). These pertain to emotional regulation and I’ve observed that successful and happy people wake up before sunrise most days.
For me, I wake up at 4.45am five out of seven days. I just know that this habit helps keep me in emotional balance.
That being said, if you don’t wake up at 4:45am, I don’t think it matters too much, but I have no doubt there are benefits to consistently getting a head start on the rest of the population!
The First Hour for Me
Successful people do something for themselves in the first hour of their day. They exercise, meditate, read a book or do something for self-care, something that invests in their physical, mental or emotional wellbeing – in other words body, mind and spirit.
I typically undertake 45 minutes of exercise, and then spend half an hour with my son. Most mornings we will walk to the local coffee shop together and take in the day (garbage day is a must in our routine, especially given his obsession with garbage trucks!).
And yes, I choose to wake up at 4.45am so I can fit all of this in before I do the daycare drop off and head to the office. Whatever happens from then on, I can’t have a bad day.
Sleep
You can have the healthiest diet, exercise regime and Instagram-happy wellness guru in the world but it won’t light a candle to the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
I believe sustainable performance and control demand a consistent sleep routine. Lack of sleep clouds our judgment and can make problems seem bigger than they are.
Experts say we need around eight hours of sleep each day. They also say you should go to bed and wake up at the same time. I have met people who swear by six hours’ sleep, others like eight hours, for some 10 hours is best. The point is that fatigue strongly affects our ability to make well-considered, timely decisions.
Personally, I need at least 7.5 hours sleep each night. More importantly, I have a bedtime routine (otherwise known as a group of habits) that ensures I get the best possible shut-eye possible.
My one-year-old has a bedtime routine and he ‘sleeps like a baby’. Why should adults be any different?
A good night’s sleep will follow a consistent bedtime routine. Turning the phone off an hour before bedtime, sharing a meal with my wife, and getting lost in a fiction novel do the trick for me.
What are your most productive habits?
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