Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it. ~Horace Mann
Isn’t it amazing that every day, we have the ability to reinvent ourselves? We can learn new skills and create habits that make us healthier, more interesting, more productive, and more valuable in the eyes of those around us.
New habits can improve our careers, our financial success, and our relationships — and they give us a huge boost in self-esteem and confidence.
I’m sure you have a habit in mind that you’ve been attempting for several years. Maybe it’s exercise, losing weight,eating better,learning something new, meditating, writing, or de-cluttering your house. Maybe you’ve wanted to take a course or add a new professional skill.
The only problem with self-reinvention through habit creation is this: it’s really hard.
As much as you want to create habits and sustain them (and you really, really do), your desire to keep at it begins to fade away after a few days or weeks. At first it’s fun, then it’s challenging, then it’s work, and finally, it’s forgotten.
Why does this happen?
It has nothing to do with your will power or energy. It has to do with brain chemistry. You haven’t given your brain enough time to fully rewire itself to incorporate your habit as part of your daily routine. And that’s what has to happen — you actually have to retrain your brain.
This may feel like a Catch-22. How can you give your brain enough time to rewire itself if you can’t sustain the motivation to give it time?
It comes down to understanding exactly how habits are formed — and this is truly an art and a science!
