Practice makes permanent… or what not to do to create new habits!

Posted on 05 May 2010

In business as in personal life, progress is only possible if we embrace change. Change is inevitable and inexorable - there is no such thing as being "static"… or having "plateaued". In business, you must consider a plateau as being in decline - when you are not moving forward whilst your competitors are, you are falling back!

As Albert Einstein said… "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!" How's your sanity?

So to progress we need to change - we need to do different things, change habitual patterns of activity and behaviour… to change your life you must change your habits. Here are some simple rules:

No one can change you. Admit your need, stop denying your problem, and accept responsibility for changing yourself.
Habits aren't broken, but replaced - by layering new behaviour patterns on top of the old ones. Don't expect instant success - for true change, this can take a long time - start now.
A daily routine adhered to over time will become second nature, like riding a bicycle. Negative behaviour leads to a losing lifestyle, positive behaviour to a wining lifestyle. Practice makes permanent in both cases.

The choice is yours!

So if that's what we should do, what should we avoid? Here are some ideas of what not to do:

Taking on two or more habits at once. Don't over complicate things - devote all of your energy to that habit change, and once it's on autopilot, move on to the next one.
Not committing a plan to paper. You have to write down your goal. The goal should be clear and SMART - but always put it on paper and stick to the plan
Being half-committed. No commitment = no result. If you want it - commit to it.
Not having support. Change can be challenging - you will benefit from help. Figure out what support you need. Put it in your plan and make sure you get it.
Not spotting the obstacles. You will hit barriers and obstacles to your planned route. If you anticipate them, you can build overcoming them into your plan - think it through!
Not logging your progress. "What gets measured gets done". Celebrate successes and measure your progress - that way you'll get there quicker.
Not having any accountability. You need someone or something to hold you accountable - or to help you hold yourself accountable. Ask someone to help as part of your support - your Coach will help here.
Not doing any reading. Equip yourself with the best knowledge you can - there's so much to learn from others' endeavours… and mistakes. Don't try to re-invent the wheel every time.
Changing focus too soon. Persistence pays. If you are serious about the change, stick at it and don't give up.
Quitting after failure. We learn most from our mistakes it is said. Thomas Edison said "I have not failed; I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work". If your goal is truly important, don't give up… ever.

Change is at the heart of success - embrace it and move forward… or ignore it and fall by the wayside.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

Ology Coaching helps people and businesses to understand and embed change to deliver extraordinary results.

David Little
Ology Coaching

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