Introduction

The popular belief suggests that it takes either 21 or 28 days to form a habit, but today, let’s shift our focus from the duration to the process of habit formation. This discussion will center on the significance of habits and provide simplified steps for creating lasting habits.

Understanding Habits

Habit, to me, signifies a routine— a series of actions cultivated over time, becoming almost second nature. Whether it’s running every Saturday, enjoying a post-meal fruit, or unfailingly arriving on time to work, these actions define habits. While habits can be either positive or negative, this discussion will center on fostering good habits, such as punctuality and healthy routines.

Now, considering the specific habits in focus, it’s crucial to recognize their importance. As the saying goes, “repetition is the mother of science.” By incorporating habits, you’re establishing a system that contributes to your personal evolution. Whether aiming for fitness or pursuing a university degree, the development of consistent habits is paramount. Habits serve as the differentiator, they separate you from the average Joe, propelling you towards your goals at a pace that exceeds the aspirations of many.

The Building Blocks of Good Habits

Now that we understand habits, let’s talk about how to start building them. After more than three decades of living and learning from various experiences, I’ve realized something important: the first step in forming a habit is to picture yourself succeeding. Envisioning your victory means looking back at a time when you triumphed—a moment I like to call your “sacred.” Everyone has a moment they consider sacred, a time when failure was not an option.

As a Christian, I follow Jesus Christ, who was born around 2000 years ago to a virgin, died for our sins, and rose again after three days, now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Even for Christians who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, it’s normal to struggle with imperfections. However, I’ve personally experienced a period where, despite life’s challenges, I firmly said no to sin.

This resolute commitment, like a sacred promise, represents a stage in the ongoing journey from imperfection to becoming better. It highlights the importance of recalling past victories to strengthen your determination in developing positive habits.

During this period of steadfast commitment, which coincided with times of fasting and prayer, it felt akin to a basketball player with the “hot hand.” Like that player, no matter the defense strategy, the resolve against sin remained unyielding. It’s comparable to deciding to save money for a significant trip—once the decision is made, the act of saving suddenly becomes more manageable.

Recognizing victories in your track record signifies the potential for further success. You are a winner, inherently so by the mere fact of being born. Consider the analogy of the fertilization process, where one spermatozoid outpaces the others to fertilize the egg. Embrace this inherent ability, acknowledging that you are indeed a winner. Use this innate capacity to achieve your goals.

Planning

Once you’ve convinced yourself that you can achieve your goal, it’s time to plan. While there are various methods, I strongly recommend jotting down your plan. Putting it in writing brings your plan to the forefront of your mind and enhances your determination to follow through. Why plan? Think of building a habit like constructing your dream house. It wouldn’t be wise to purchase materials without having, at the very least, a blueprint. The same principle applies here. Consider it as constructing a system of habits and plan it as comprehensively as possible. You may not foresee every detail of the journey, but having a plan keeps you on the right path.

The second recommendation in your plan is to start small. There’s a saying that to get somewhere quickly, you need to go slow. The essence of this phrase lies in the understanding that beginning with modest steps doesn’t mean you’ll remain at that level. To illustrate, in the Justice League movie (both Joss Whedon’s and Zack Snyder’s cuts), there’s a scene where Batman, a seasoned superhero, advises Flash, the newcomer, to focus on saving just one person. Despite the multitude needing help, succeeding in one task can lead to two, three, ten, and beyond. Apply this concept to your habits—start with achievable goals, whether it’s selling one lemonade, doing five push-ups, or reading one paragraph of a book. Gradually work your way up, steadily building momentum.

SLAM – it

Moving forward, the next crucial step is to execute, adapt, and then execute again. To illustrate this, let me introduce the SLAM approach: SLAM stands for Simultaneous Localization And Mapping. I delved into this concept during my previous studies in robotics.

Imagine you have a drone entering a room it has never explored before. Your goal is for it to navigate from the entrance door to the exit door without a human pilot. How do you achieve this? In simple terms, you equip the drone with enough sensors. As it moves, the drone scans the area, identifies obstacles, and navigates around them, all while creating a map of the space it traverses. It’s a dynamic process of simultaneous mapping and localization.

No human system is flawless; life has a way of throwing curveballs regardless of your “perfect” plan. However, by adopting the SLAM approach, you enhance your adaptability and navigate unforeseen challenges in the pursuit of your habits.

Obstacles are inevitable; perhaps your usual running route is under construction or unexpected bills disrupt your established savings routine. What do you do in such situations? Remembering that an obstacle isn’t the end of the road is crucial. Keep your objective intact—whether running or saving—and find an alternative method to stay true to the core goal.

Reflect

Reflect on the obstacle: Why couldn’t you maintain the goal during that period? Do you need to reassess your system? What changes can enhance consistency? Adapt your plan based on these insights and create a roadmap for your journey. For instance, consider waking up earlier if distractions hinder your Bible reading after 7 am. If running faces a roadblock, find another track. Adjust your savings percentage to sustain consistency.

Learn from the experiences, refine your system, and keep the core of your objective intact. The ability to adapt and refine your approach ensures continued progress despite the challenges that may arise.

Building habits is indeed a vast topic with a wealth of literature. In this discussion, I’ve emphasized working from your “sacred,” meticulously planning your system of habits, and adopting the “execute, adapt, execute” approach. Perfection in your plan is not essential, but consistency is key. Regular application guarantees results.

To conclude, it’s important to acknowledge that no one is meant to do everything. Therefore, choose your pursuits wisely and understand why you want to develop a particular habit. This discerning approach ensures that your efforts are focused on meaningful and achievable objectives.

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