Keystone Habits

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words

Watch your words, for they become actions

Watch your actions, for they become habits

Watch your habits, for the become character

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." Lao Tzu

Don’t you think that the quote for the day is a great reminder of the important role our habits play in our lives?

I had not intended to spend so many weeks on the topic of habits, but I just kept finding new layers to think about.   There is one last point that I think needs to be made before I summarize the last weeks’ discussions on habits, and it’s a big bonus for those of us that have begun to put new habits in place.  Did you realize that when we begin to put our words into actions and they become habits, that some of these habits can actually create a chain reaction of more healthy habits? These habits are called ‘keystone’ habits.

Listen to his brief video clip as Charles Duhigg explains how these keystone habits have shown to have a positive impact on other areas of our lives, and yes….even an impact on developing our character.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiH7hboqTm0

Don’t you think that it’s exciting that this idea of creating a habit like exercise can cause such a synergy to occur?  We exercise and feel good about ourselves and find that we are easier able to rid ourselves of some bad habits; like over using our credit cards!  Who Knew?   So instead of tackling a laundry list of habits, I can put my effort into conquering a few of the keystone habits.  Then those keystones habits will lead to my having higher self-esteem, which then causes me to make better choices in other areas of my life; thereby creating more healthy habits!  I’m psyched! How about you? Doesn't that motivate you to take on a keystone habit?

And just in case you've forgotten some of the important things we learned about habits in the last few weeks; allow me to summarize:

Awareness: In our case it was not only becoming aware of the abundance of habits in our lives (45% of our day), but also how our habits work. We learned that it takes a cue, a routine and a reward to create a habit.  We also found that over time our routines become cravings and in order to change them we need to remember the golden rule of habit change: keep the same cue and reward, and go after the routine.

Desire to change: Once we realize the importance that habits play in our lives, it’s hard not to desire to make some changes, don’t you think?  This notion that we have the power and the capability to impact our own lives in such a positive direction…I don't know about you, but it just seems to urge me to take responsibility and work on a better me. Do you feel the same?

Create a plan:  In order to create change in our lives, we need to not only say we’re going to do it, but we must also have an action plan.    I can set a very specific, positive and quantifiable goal, for example: I will be 10 pounds thinner in June 2013, but if I don’t consciously create a plan to develop new healthy eating and exercise habits, then I will see that, even though I manage to get the weight off for a minute, it won’t stay off.

....Oh yes, and don't forget that very important back-up plan, for when we get sidelined by our circumstances and resistance rises up from its mirey slime!  Beware of how changes in the cue, routine, or reward can throw a wrench in our habit planning….and prepare your back-up plan accordingly.

Take Action: This is the part where we take our brilliant, well-conceived plan; with cue, routine and reward all in place, and actually do something: One small step and one habit at a time. And that would be… today… if you haven’t already started!

Rally the troops:  We don’t have to do this alone…in fact the stats tell us we will be more successful if we enlist a friend. Find someone now that will hold you accountable and give you the encouragement that you need.

And finally…

Reap the rewards:  Creating keystone habits can bring in bonuses and set a chain reaction in motion that ultimately serves to help us build a stronger character. And who here doesn't want a stronger character?

So that’s it ….. I am convinced that this new insight into habits is fundamental for my continuing journey of taking small steps for big results ….hope you're still on board with me.

As always….I’d love to hear from you. Email me, Karen, at: smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com or post on my blog.