Habit, is roughly defined as the tendency for something to transpire, often and with some regularity, presumably with little conscious thought.
We see habits, or habitual patterns everyday; ranging from our morning routine, to the movement of heavenly bodies in space. Strictly speaking, these are all habits; some more naturally occurring than others, but all habits nonetheless. Even the habitual treatment of hair, makes it grow a certain way; it develops a habit. Everything, and everyone is indeed subject to this phenomenon known as habit.
Perhaps the structures most prone to habit formation, are our neurons. We are aware of the complexity of the human brain, and how it is the most potent and yet little understood structure in the known and observable universe. By the same token, this is also the most adaptable structure, and the most ready to form habits. It can take on new ones, get rid of old ones, and replace both (consequently the best way to break a habit is by replacing it actually).
Therefore, what is a gift is also a challenge: precisely because it can form habits so readily, can we pick up a myriad negative patterns/tendencies, and by the same token, have little excuse for not picking up healthy ones. Since we are going to form habits anyway, our conscious efforts must be geared towards exposing ourselves to situations, events, people, etc., that render the acquisition of healthy habits, optimal.
There are countless ways to perfect the formation of healthy habits; it is indeed a lifelong process. A life of forming good habits, is in itself a habit! 5 practical and daily applications/suggestions could be:
An early start. It is a truism to state that starting one’s day early has more benefits than not. Whatever should be pursued can adequately be pursued, and should the need for changing the course of action arise, there is presumably enough time for this, with minimal need for postponement of relevant activities, since time is literally more readily avilable. The more or less obvious psychosomatic health benefits, need not be discussed at this juncture.
An adequate base. Though none of us is guaranteed tomorrow, and no one knows what life holds, yet to whatever small degree, it behoveth us all to have some sort of ”plan of action”, however modest, or vague this may be. Some are more detailed planners than others (though we all are subject to ”homo proponit sed Deus disponit”), but everyone can have some idea of what they wish to accomplish in the immediate future. This greatly assists practicality and motivation.
In addition, a stable moral life, filled with introspection, structure, and decency, only helps further. As Socrates often suggested how the unexamined life is not worth living, the opposite is obviously true; an examined one props up all the constructive tools for realisation of various goals, major and minor. Strengths become consolidated, and weaknesses are eliminated.
A challenging and realistic routine. Though all these points are interconnected, this may be more directly related to the first. Our routines help us attain whatever goals we have set. Therefore they must not only be challenging and fulfilling, but decently feasible. Life has more than enough obstacles to surmount. Your routine, though challenging enough to steer you closer to your goals, need not be an uphill task in and of itself. Whatever you decide, endeavour to stick to it. Should it be the right structure for your day(s) you shall find out. Should it be wrong, you shall find out and effect necessary changes, sooner than if you do not stick to it. By the same token, go to bed early!
The idea remains to do one’s best in the here and now. Whatever planning for the future happens, should not take away from acting now; a fine balance is to be achieved.
”No one knows what the future holds for him, or to what degree he is spoiling it or creating it; therefore the thing to do is one’s daily best and let the future take care of itself…” Shoghi Effendi
A fit band of brothers. However independent and impermeable some of us believe ourselves to be (and may very well be), to whatever degree, the people and environment around us, have some effect on our person. Blessed is the mature soul who affects his environment and the people around him, moreso than the reverse. That being said, there is some effect upon every individual, from paupers to kings, and even prophets. Thus a good suggestion is to see who the 5 closest individuals in each of our lives, are.
Whomever they may be, they have some degree of effect. They may energise and galvanise us, or they may drain and demotivate. Hopefully your five closest people and yourself, have a symbiotic relationship, so to speak. Find them, analyse them, and keep or change them as the case may be. Everyone already has that band of five; just discover what kind your 5 are.
Avoid postponing. While some research suggests procrastination to be indicative of both positive and negative behavioural traits, this is not what is relevant here. What is meant is, once a task has been meditated upon, decided upon, structured, planned, and flexibility notwithstanding, shall, for all intents and purposes be carried out, do it! It is hardest to get started with a task. Once you do, however hard it may be to complete, this is easier than to not.
Postponing such a task by even minutes, not to mention hours, days or weeks, can be damaging to our routine, psyche, and motivation; to varying degrees, especially if repeated, habitually! This is a dangerous tendency to have, in the long run. As the old saying goes, if dishes are in the sink, wash them today, not tomorrow. If it should be done, then go for it. This is, again, once it has been decided upon, and further deliberation is not needed.
One can further divide the above into a myriad points, but these are the broad basics. In the end, let us keep in mind, as always, that like most things in life, the formation of healthy habits, is an organic process.
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